A GROUP of six-year-old autistic children had the time of their lives at the Werribee Open Range Zoo last week.

The children, Jack, Joshua, Kulkiran, Cael and Brock, from the Northern School for Autism, Preston and Jacana, were wide eyed as they viewed the giraffes, rhinos and zebras.

Principal Philip Henkel said excursions like this, combined with their classroom lessons, helped equip them for a better opportunity in life.

Mr Henkel said the school aimed to develop the children’s communication, social and behavioural skills.

“Taking them on an excursion is a great opportunity to teach these skills in a public setting,” he said.

The school has 135 students and expects to enrol an extra 50 children next year.

“The number of children in the autism spectrum is rapidly rising, not only in Australia, but throughout the Western world,” Mr Henkel said.

“Early intervention is vital to equip these children with life skills.

“We’re aiming to make a difference in their lives.”

Autism is a syndrome characterised by some degree of inability to comprehend or communicate.

It is estimated 60 Australians per 10,000 of the population are autistic.

One of the most common developmental disabilities affecting children in the world, it comes second only to Down syndrome.

Teacher Naserah Khan said her class had been having lessons on animals in class, so the excursion was an opportunity to expand on this theme.

“Every moment is a golden learning moment for the children,” she said.

“Most have difficulties with language so an outing like this in an exciting environment really helps with their learning.”

School support officers Marisa Sammut and Adrienne Moszkowocz agreed.

“To see the joy in the children’s faces was just beautiful,” Ms Moszkowocz said.