A $647,000 pilot program focusing on the needs of students with disabilities by trialling the use of therapy assistants in schools was launched today by ACT Minister for Community Services Joy Burch.

"This initiative is the first time we have used therapy assistants in schools and represents a new approach to helping students with disabilities reach their potential," Ms Burch said.

"The pilot will focus on children from kindergarten to year 2 as we know that providing therapy assistance in the early years has the greatest impact."

The program will see four full time therapy assistants and three part time therapists work across seven schools, along with a team leader.

The pilot schools involved are Caroline Chisholm School, Gowrie Primary School, Florey Primary School, Harrison School, Malkara School, Cranleigh School and Mother Theresa Catholic School.

The therapy assistants will be working students on either physiotherapy, speech pathology or occupational therapy programs.

"The therapy assistants will be able to work with individual children each week to provide specialised programs that ensure new skills are practiced and learnt in a school setting.

"This initiative, announced in the 2011-12 ACT Budget, will also bring benefits to the wider schools staff, particularly teachers and learning support assistants who will be able to observe the techniques being put into practice."

A reference group comprising parents, school principals, senior professionals, the Catholic Education Office and ACT Government has been formed to provide advice on the project.