Every day at AEIOU is a stepping stone towards a brighter future for young children with autism. It's a place where learning and fun go hand in hand.
Days at AEIOU is packed with activities that help children learn and grow. Here's a glimpse into what a child might experience on a typical day:
Morning
The day starts with social play and learning outside. Children get to explore the playground, build social skills, and practice fine and gross motor skills. This is followed by circle time in the classroom, where they learn things like the days of the week, sing songs, and participate in an
Acknowledgement of Country.
Next comes morning tea, where children learn self-management and self-care skills like getting their lunchbox and using cutlery.
The heart of the day is early intervention time. Here, children work with a team of specialists on individual goals, using tools like language boards and visual schedules to accommodate the unique needs of the children, and support communication and interactions, as well as creating a platform to help understand and navigate their environment.
Interspersed with these sessions are plenty of opportunities for outside play, where children can chase bubbles, build relationships with peers with the support of their therapy team, and explore in an engaging environment.
Lunch
Lunchtime provides another chance to practice using cutlery and trying new foods, especially for those receiving food therapy support. It's also a social time for children to connect with educators and celebrate special occasions.
Following lunch, a quiet time for rest and relaxation allows everyone to unwind before therapist sessions, where children work on developing motor skills, communication skills, and imitation skills.
Afternoon
The afternoon is filled with fun and educational activities based on the Early Years Learning Framework (EYLF) curriculum. Children participate in small and whole group activities, fostering skills like sharing, cooperation, and exploration.
The day ends with more co-constructed learning through outside play, and one-on-one time spent cleaning up the center and saying goodbye.
If you are interested in having a closer look at what the day looks like at one of our centres, a more detailed overview is available in our latest Annual Report 2022-2023.