AEIOU News
AEIOU brings services and support to families with children with autism in Emerald and surrounding communities
Mon, 9 Aug 10
MEDIA RELEASE
5 AUGUST 2010
AEIOU brings services and support to families with children with autism in Emerald and surrounding communities
The AEIOU Foundation Launch the Regional Autism Program in Emerald on Monday evening the 9th August 2010, the program will extend their services and support to families with children with autism in regional communities.
The AEIOU Foundation recognises autism has no geographical boundaries and there will be no boundaries for AEIOU’s support services. The program sponsored by Xstrata Coal aims to provide families living with autism in regional Queensland the same access to support services as families in metropolitan areas.
Families with children with autism in rural Queensland will have access to services and advice from trained professionals taking the stress off many local families who currently travel long distances to access support for their children.
Regional Autism Program Manager, Dr Laurie Sperry PhD and AEIOU Director of Education, Diane Heaney are hosting a general information night at ABC Emerald Monday 9th August 6:30pm to 8pm for all interested community members, child care professionals, parents and general public. They will be covering topics ranging from ‘what is autism?’ and Q & A.
The AEIOU Foundation is a leading Queensland not for profit organisation dedicated to providing high quality centre-based early intervention programs to children aged 2½ to 5 years diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD).The AEIOU Regional Autism Program is sponsored by Xstrata Coal and will be delivered through the ABC Good Start childcare centre.
Laurie Sperry PhD and Diane Heaney are holding a week long training program from 9 – 13 August which includes a practicum, lecture and parent training with Good Start childcare to equip staff and family members with the skills and knowledge to work more effectively with children with Autism Spectrum Disorders.
Dr Sperry said the education of children with autism is a shared responsibility; there should be a partnership between the parents, children and the direct learning services. The progress children make is much faster when there is a partnership between school and home.
While the practical morning sessions are closed to the public, those interested are welcome to attend the afternoon lectures.
“The week of training marks the beginning of a close working relationship between ABC Emerald and the AEIOU Foundation,” she said.
The AEIOU Regional Autism Program is looking to expand their team of professionals within the local community. People qualified in early years teaching, speech or occupational therapy and are interested in making a difference in their community can contact Dr Sperry at laurie.sperry@aeiou.org.au.
The evening is FREE but registrations are required by contacting ABC Centre Director Jodie Cassidy on 07 4982 3408 or 07 4982 3460.
For more information please feel free to contact me on 3320 7555 or email laura.daley@aeiou.org.au
