AEIOU News

AEIOU Foundation delivers Early Intervention on the Sunshine Coast

Mon, 6 Dec 10

Media release

December 2010

Sunshine Coast receive respite and services for families with children diagnosed with autism

A new AEIOU Foundation program opened in Nambour recently to support families living with autism on the Sunshine Coast, before a custom-built AEIOU centre is built at Sippy Downs next year.

The new centre, made possible by a partnership between AEIOU Foundation and Nambour’s Goodstart Childcare centre came after calls from local families seeking the service.

AEIOU Foundation CEO Alan Smith said one in 100 children is diagnosed with autism in Australia every year, and the Foundation launched a temporary centre in Nambour in response to calls for the service.  

“Based on the current population statistics for the Sunshine Coast, it is estimated there is approximately 25 children with autism living in the area that could benefit from the service offered by AEIOU,” Mr Smith said.

“The Nambour centre can cater for up to 12 children with autism who are aged between two and a half and five years of age” Mr Smith said.

 “Before AEIOU created a service on the Sunshine Coast, the best local alternative for an early intervention service was private Speech and Occupational therapy with limited hours and incurring a cost of up to $180 per session for families” he said.

“The new program at Nambour provides support to local families while the custom-designed centre is built, however due to ongoing demand, this centre may remain open to complement the Sippy downs service,” Mr Smith said.

Sunshine Coast Mayor Bob Abbot said he supports AEIOU and the work the organisation does with young children affected by Autism.

“I am thrilled to see a service operating in Nambour and I remain personally committed to ensuring the Sunshine Coast community has access to the support and services offered through organisations such as AEIOU,” Mayor Abbot said.

“By creating this program in Nambour AEIOU has demonstrated its dedication to supporting our community.  The current Nambour program and the future Sippy Downs centre will provide incredible benefits to the Sunshine Coast community, which deserves greater access to local services and support.

Local Sunshine Coast family Kaye Morgan and her husband Grant are one of many families benefiting from AEIOU extending its services through the regional autism program in Queensland.

Mrs Morgan said until recently, her family travelled three hours a day to give her two children access AEIOU’s early intervention program in the Brisbane suburb of Bray Park. 

“I have two sons with autism and as a parent, you do whatever it takes to enable your children to have the best start to their life,” Mrs Morgan said.

“I believe AEIOU is the best thing for my sons and for us as a family, and am delighted the Foundation now operates a centre in Nambour and will open a service in Sippy Downs – all this time I hoped something like this would happen.”

 “My twin boys will attend the AEIOU Nambour centre until the end of the year before they transition into prep at a mainstream school next year. Many families take this step for granted, but for us it is a milestone that would not have been attained without AEIOU,” Mrs Morgan said.

AEIOU Nambour operates under a long day care model from 7am until 5pm with the intensive program operating from 9am until 3:30pm.

The AEIOU Foundation is Queensland’s only charitable full time early intervention for children diagnosed with autism aged between two and a half and five years.

Media enquiries:

Laura Daley, Fundraising and Communications Coordinator, p: 3320 7555.