The I CAN School® Mentoring Program

Program description

I CAN Imagination Club® and I CAN School® programs are peer mentoring programs aiming to improve the self-esteem and mental wellbeing of autistic/neurodivergent students aged 7–18 years. The mentoring programs consist of group mentoring sessions delivered by 2 I CAN staff (one is autistic/neurodivergent). I CAN staff use their lived experiences of being neurodivergent to foster a shared connection with students.

Mentoring sessions cover a range of topics which benefit neurodivergent students including teamwork, positive identity, communication skills and stress management. The program builds social connections among neurodivergent students and improves their self-confidence and self-acceptance. Added with improvements in optimism, communication and sense of belonging, these outcomes lead to improved mental health and wellbeing.

In secondary schools, I CAN School® programs explicitly discuss positive autistic/neurodivergent identity. In primary schools, I CAN Imagination Club® programs explore autism, ADHD, and dyslexia through the lens of neurodiversity.

Intended outcomes

• Neurodivergent students have an increased sense of optimism, confidence, self-acceptance and belonging
• Stronger relationships between school staff, autistic/neurodivergent students and their families
• Autistic/neurodivergent students have increased confidence to attend school
• Improved engagement and attendance in autistic/neurodivergent students

Program details

Implementation considerations

• Target population: Autistic and neurodivergent students aged 8–18, teachers and school staff who support them and their parents/carers.
• Program adaptability: The program is suitable for diverse cohorts including:
  • culturally and linguistically diverse students
  • LGBTIQA+ students
  • neurodivergent students.
• Staffing: Backfilling is not necessary but may be required.
• Training requirements: Mentoring involves 8 x one-hour mentoring sessions. Schools need to provide a room for I CAN with a supervising school staff member and I CAN staff being able to work in the staff room for 45 minutes following session delivery. The room must have chairs and a whiteboard, and audio/video facilities are desirable but not required.
• Factors to consider: Face-to-face is available in all department areas except Inner Gippsland, Outer Gippsland and Mallee. The face-to-face program can be adapted online for government schools in all department areas. The minimum number of student participants in a group is 5 students and the maximum is 16 students for face-to-face delivery or 9 students online. Schools can only participate in the I CAN program once per calendar year.
• Australian context: The program has been developed and applied in Australia.

Cost

Minimum cost

$2,000+

Detailed cost

I CAN group mentoring sessions are $460 each (GST free) for up to 16 students. Most schools purchase 8 sessions ($3,680). A recorded online information session for parents is included in the cost of the program.

Additional costs include:

• a travel levy (depending on the distance from an I CAN regional centre to the school, from $352 to $704, including GST)
• an information session delivered face-to-face ($412.50 including GST)
• camera and microphone costs (online only, $423.50 including GST).