Jessie is a mother of three, including two sons with autism. Two years ago, her son Eli was struggling in a mainstream kindergarten that was unable to provide for his complex support needs. Jessie explains how Eli struggled to regulate his emotions, making it hard for him to feel comfortable and engage with others. “If a child is dysregulated, it is very hard for them to learn anything,” Jessie says. “The emotional impacts them and for everyone else in the family.”
When Jessie secured her son a place at AEIOU’s Camira centre in early 2024, things began to shift.
“At AEIOU, Eli began to receive the personalised attention he needed. For the first time, he started to thrive.
“Eli didn’t even know his own name when he started. Now, he’s referring to himself as ‘Eli’, speaking in sentences, singing, writing his name, and making friends,” Jessie explains.
At AEIOU, children are supported by a team of therapists and educators who have the knowledge, skills, time and resources to establish real partnerships with each child and their family. A day in an AEIOU classroom integrates therapy and early education with play, embracing each child’s preferences and building on their strengths.
The shift to AEIOU’s autism support services was transformative for Eli’s confidence. Through the tailored support he received, Eli has begun to engage with his peers and feel a sense of belonging. “As any parent of a child with autism knows, it’s so important for them to make those connections,” Jessie says. “Watching Eli develop this confidence not only changed his life but also brought immense relief and joy to our whole family.”
For Jessie, having all of Eli’s therapies accessible under one roof was a game-changer. Before AEIOU, she found it challenging to care for her two other children while juggling appointments for multiple therapies across different locations. “I was running around like a person chasing their tail. Speech therapy, occupational therapy, behavioural support. But here, everything is in one place,” Jessie noted.
Beyond Eli’s progress, Jessie is grateful for how supported she felt by the AEIOU team. “They are my village for Eli,” she said, highlighting how the regular meetings with therapists helped her understand Eli’s needs better and provided strategies she could use to support him at home. She says the continued support, even as Eli now looks to transition to mainstream schooling, has given her confidence that he will succeed in his new education environment.
“As a parent [of an autistic child], I would say AEIOU is the best decision that you can make for your child and for you. This is a place that is really well-thought-out for kids with autism, and my son has come so far. It is amazing, and I hope anyone thinking about this has the chance to come here and experience it for themselves.”
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