AEIOU News

Special Santa visit for kids with autism at AEIOU Foundation�s Bray Park centre

Tue, 6 Dec 11

Media Alert

December 2012

Special Santa visit for kids with autism at AEIOU Foundation’s Bray Park centre

Christmas is a magical time, but for children with autism it can all seem a bit overwhelming. However children and families attending AEIOU Foundation’s Bray Park centre will receive a particularly special visit from Santa this Friday 2 December from 12 noon.

AEIOU Foundation CEO Alan Smith, disguised as Santa, will join centre staff and families over lunch to hand out presents and have photos with the children in an environment which is “sensory friendly” where the kids know what to expect and can play in their comfort zone.

AEIOU Foundation CEO Alan Smith said many children with autism have sensory issues with bright lights, crowds and loud noises so often find visiting Santa in shopping centres an overwhelming experience. For that reason, for many of our little learners, this will be the first time they have the chance to meet Santa.

Mr Smith said sharing your Christmas wishes and meeting Santa is a big moment for any child, and this special party will provide children with autism in our centres to experience a Christmas tradition other kids often take for granted.

“It is a moment many of our parents think they will never have; because of this, it is one of the most rewarding and humbling parts of my job at AEIOU.”

AEIOU currently supports more than 200 children across ten centres throughout Queensland. Each AEIOU centre will be celebrating the Christmas season with family activities and a variety of Santa visits throughout December.

AEIOU Foundation is one of the country’s largest charitable organisations dedicated to providing best practice early intervention for children diagnosed with autism aged two and a half to five years.

Event details

Time: 12:30pm

Date: Friday 2 December 2011

Where: AEIOU Foundation

1 Hopetoun Street

Bray Park QLD 4500

Who: AEIOU Foundation CEO Alan Smith

AEIOU children and families

AEIOU centre staff

-Ends-

Media enquiries:

Laura Daley, Fundraising and Communications Coordinator, p: 3320 7555, e: Laura.Daley@aeiou.org.au.