The Autism Education Trust Progression Framework is one of the main tools UK schools use to plan and track support for autistic pupils. This guide explains what it is, how schools use it, and what it means for parents.
Quick Answer: What Is the AET Progression Framework?
The Autism Education Trust Progression Framework is an assessment and planning tool used by UK schools to track an autistic pupil’s development across key areas such as communication, social understanding, and emotional wellbeing. It helps teachers set realistic, individualised targets rather than measuring progress against typical age-related expectations alone.
What the Framework Covers
- Communication and interaction: how a pupil understands and uses language, and interacts with others.
- Social understanding and relationships: how a pupil relates to peers and adults in different settings.
- Sensory processing: how a pupil responds to sensory input in the classroom environment.
- Emotional understanding and self-awareness: how a pupil recognises and manages their own emotions.
- Learning and engagement: how a pupil engages with learning tasks and the classroom environment more broadly.
How Schools Use the Framework
Teachers and SENCOs use the framework to assess a pupil’s current stage of development in each area, then set specific, achievable targets that reflect the pupil’s actual starting point. This is typically reviewed and updated periodically, feeding into wider planning documents such as an individual education plan.
Why It Matters for Parents
Understanding the framework helps parents make sense of the language schools use when discussing their child’s progress, and gives a clearer picture of what “progress” looks like beyond exam results or standard curriculum milestones. Asking the school which framework stage your child is working at, and what the next target is, is a useful way to stay involved in planning.
Training and Development for School Staff
The Autism Education Trust also offers training for school staff to help them use the framework effectively and build broader understanding of autism in the classroom. Schools with AET-trained staff are often better placed to apply the framework consistently across different subjects and settings.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the AET Progression Framework the same as an EHCP?
No. The framework is an assessment and target-setting tool used by schools, while an EHCP is a separate legal document issued by the local authority for children with more complex needs.
Which schools use the Autism Education Trust framework?
Many UK primary and secondary schools use the framework, particularly those with AET-trained staff, though its use is not universal and varies between schools and local authorities.
How can I find out if my child’s school uses this framework?
Ask your child’s SENCO directly whether the school uses the AET framework, or a similar autism-specific assessment tool, as part of their planning process.
