# 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.

URL: https://theautismkit.com/guides/autism-education-trust
By The Autism Kit team · Updated 2026-09-27

**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?

| Framework | What it's for |
| --- | --- |
| Progression Framework | Identifying priorities and tracking progress for autistic pupils beyond the curriculum |
| Standards | Reviewing a setting's practice for autistic pupils |
| Competency framework | Reviewing 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.

**Start with the pupil's voice.** A one-page profile, written with the pupil, pairs well with Progression Framework targets.

**Sensory environment.** See [How do I do a sensory audit of a classroom?](https://theautismkit.com/guides/classroom-sensory-audit)

Free printable: [Free printable: one-page pupil profile](https://theautismkit.com/printables/pupil-profile.pdf)

## What can I do this term?

- [ ] Check your setting's AET training status
- [ ] Review one pupil's priorities with the Progression Framework
- [ ] Share the plan with the family

## Common questions

### Who is AET training for?

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

### What does the Progression Framework measure?

Areas of learning and development that matter for many autistic pupils beyond the curriculum, such as communication, social understanding, sensory processing and independence.

### Does the AET have a sensory audit?

The AET provides resources that many schools use to review the sensory environment. See our guide on doing a classroom sensory audit.

## Sources

1. Autism Education Trust. https://www.autismeducationtrust.org.uk/
2. Autism Education Trust: Progression Framework. https://www.autismeducationtrust.org.uk/resources/progression-framework

General guidance, not a diagnosis or treatment plan. Talk with your pediatrician or a developmental specialist about your child's care.