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What is the Autism Education Trust, and how do schools use its frameworks?

What the AET offers, its main frameworks, and how schools use them to plan and track support.

By The Autism Kit teamUpdated Sep 27, 2026 · 1 min read
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The short answer

The Autism Education Trust (AET) provides autism training and resources for education staff in England, across early years, schools and post-16. Its Progression Framework helps staff identify priorities and track progress for autistic pupils in areas beyond academic learning, such as communication, social understanding and wellbeing. Schools also use its standards and competency frameworks to review their practice.

Key takeaways
  • The AET provides autism training and resources for education staff.
  • It covers early years, schools and post-16.
  • The Progression Framework tracks progress beyond academics.
  • Schools use AET standards to review their practice.

What is the Autism Education Trust?

The AET offers autism training and resources to education professionals in England, working across early years, school and post-16 settings.1

What are its main frameworks?

AET frameworks
FrameworkWhat it's for
Progression FrameworkIdentifying priorities and tracking progress for autistic pupils beyond the curriculum
StandardsReviewing a setting's practice for autistic pupils
Competency frameworkReviewing staff knowledge and skills

The Progression Framework is designed to help staff set meaningful targets and record progress in areas like communication and independence.2

How do schools use them?

  1. Train staff so everyone shares the same understanding.
  2. Review the setting against the standards.
  3. Set priorities for individual pupils with the Progression Framework.
  4. Plan support: visual timetables, sensory adjustments, communication tools.
  5. Review with pupils and families.
Free printable: one-page pupil profilePDF · 1 page · strengths, needs and what helps, in the pupil's words
Download Free printable: one-page pupil profile

What can I do this term?

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Common questions

Staff working in early years settings, schools and post-16 education, from teaching assistants to leaders.

Sources

  1. Autism Education Trust. autismeducationtrust.org.uk
  2. Autism Education Trust: Progression Framework. autismeducationtrust.org.uk

This guide shares general information and our team's perspective, based on the sources above. Rules and services differ by country, region and school, so always check your local guidance and your organisation's policies. How we write our guides.

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