AEIOU News

Toowoomba Mum learns there is 'big school' on the horizon

Mon, 13 Dec 10

Media release

December 2010

Toowoomba Mum learns there is ‘big school’ on the horizon

The school year is drawing to an end and preparing a young child for prep is a milestone most parents celebrate but for Toowoomba mum, Libby Rosentreter it is a milestone that was haunting, one that she thought her son with autism would never cope with.

Two years ago, Libby’s son James was a non-verbal, highly anxious, dysfunctional little boy. He was self-harming and had huge sensory issues affecting his ability to enjoy regular day to day activities for a toddler, like going to the park, taking a bath or going shopping with mum. 

In order for James to receive the appropriate attention the family moved from St George to Toowoomba. James’ needs placed strain on the whole family and restricted their lives enormously. 

James’ diagnosis in July of 2008 was no surprise to Libby, but opened the door to many wonderful support services and therapies which were to prove life changing for her entire family.

Toowoomba mum Libby Rosentreter said it became clear that for James’ best interests, we really had to move back to Toowoomba so that he could access AEIOU full time and receive specialist therapy services.  We haven’t looked back.

She said “He is now talking and communicating well, he has stopped self harming and he has developed lots of strategies for coping with the things that cause him anxiety.”

James graduated from AEIOU at the end of Term 3, 2010 and transitioned to a mainstream Pre-Prep program full time and will transition to mainstream pre next year.

“AEIOU gives children with autism the attention the general daycares just aren’t resourced to give and we’ve already seen a great improvement, James would not be where he is today if he did not attend full time early intervention from Occupational and Speech Therapists and teaching aid facilitators at AEIOU” she said.

As parents it is our responsibility to give our children every opportunity to thrive and develop, and it is imperative that we advocate for our children and organisations such as AEIOU who are giving our children the very best possible chance in life.

Raising a child with autism is a real challenge for many Queensland families. Early intervention services can make a real difference to the quality of life of children with autism and their families.

Currently up to 75% of children transition from AEIOU into mainstream schools after attending the two year program.

Libby is not scared for his future. She has seen how far he has come and how much more he can achieve. It’s really exciting, not only for James but for the whole family.

James, 6, has autism, but with the help of the AEIOU Foundation early intervention program and his new school, his parents say he is making progress every day.

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

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Media enquiries:

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