AEIOU News

MP Stephen Bennett turns the first sod at for new early intervention centre

Mon, 25 Jun 12

MEDIA RELEASE

25 June 2012  

MP Stephen Bennett turns the first sod at for new early intervention centre

Member for Burnett Stephen Bennett will turn the first sod at the site of AEIOU Foundation’s new, purpose-built early intervention centre for children with autism at CQ University at 2:30pm today, Monday 25 June 2012.

Mr Bennett will be joined by CQUniversity Bundaberg Head of Campus Phillip Clift and AEIOU Foundation Director of Education, Diane Heaney to officiate the ceremony, along with families set to benefit from the centre. The development stems from the Queensland Government’s commitment of $700,000 capital funding to deliver the service to 12 families on a full-time basis.

The Bundaberg Regional Council approved the development on Friday 22 June. AEIOU Foundation CEO Alan Smith said construction will commence in early July. “We’re ecstatic to bring our full service to more local families, with plans in place to open in Term One 2013.”

Until then, families will continue to be supported in AEIOU’s temporary early intervention program, operating from the ABC Bundaberg Early Learning Centre at Takalvan Street.   “This initiative would not be possible without the support of the Queensland Government and Department of Child Services and Disabilities, CQUniversity and the Bundaberg Regional Council,” Mr Smith said.

Mr Bennett said the centre’s location would create opportunities for research collaboration between AEIOU and CQUniversity, along with work experience placements for students studying education.  

“I’m delighted to turn the first sod for this important development. Autism isn’t rare, and families in Bundaberg have been calling for a service like this, where they can receive full-time education, therapy and childcare support,” Mr Bennett said. “This program helps children learn vital life skills, like the ability to communicate their needs, their wants and their feelings, and to understand and engage with the environment around them.” 

CQUniversity Bundaberg Head of Campus Professor Phillip Clift said the relationship between AEIOU Foundation and CQUniversity presents a number of mutual benefits to the local community, with the prospect of research collaboration, and work experience opportunities for students enrolled in learning management degrees, especially those focused on Early Childhood and Primary education. 

“Our Dean of Education Professor Helen Huntly believes that having our students interact with children with autism will be a rich and valuable learning experience,” Professor Clift said.

“As the relationship evolves, there should also be opportunities for postgraduate students and academics to participate in research projects, initially in psychology, social work and health promotion and also longer-term in areas such as music therapy, occupational therapy and other allied health areas.”

AEIOU Foundation operates from 10 locations across Queensland.  Each AEIOU centre is staffed with full-time specialist early childhood teachers, speech pathologists, occupational and music therapists as well as skilled learning facilitators.   More than 70% of children that complete the program transition to mainstream schooling and around 90% of children are able to communicate functionally.  For more information about AEIOU Foundation, go to www.aeiou.org.au.

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Media enquiries: 

Deborah Whiteoak, Communications Manager, p: 3320 7910 m: 0400 552 139, e: deborah.whiteoak@aeiou.org.au