Behind the scenes at AEIOU ... Helping children communicate

Luka joined AEIOU Foundation in 2012. During this time, She has developed her communication skills by using the Picture Exchange Card System (PECS) to ask for what she needs, or for her favourite things. Luka was struggling to extend her PECS to communicate in sentences this year, so the team trialled the use of an iPad to increase her communication skills.

After only three months, Luka is navigating several pages on the communication app “proloquo2go”, and can construct sentences to make a request for something she wants. She’s using the iPad to ask for the toilet, and to make a request for toys and activities that she would like to engage in. She has even used the app to make requests for puzzle pieces by colour, shapes and numbers!

In this video, you can see Luka working to gain the attention of an adult when she has something to tell them, or something to ask for.

We’re so proud of Luka and everything she’s achieved.

At AEIOU Foundation, our centres support all children under a set curriculum, and everything we do is underpinned by evidence-based practices. However, like you can see in this video, we tailor the everyday delivery of the program to meet the individual strengths and needs of each child, working closely with families to develop and implement strategies that will ensure the children have the best chance of reaching their full potential.

Even though the children work hard, the program is designed to ensure there’s a sense of play, and fun within the centres, with an emphasis on peer interaction and socialisation.

If your child or a child in your care has a new or suspected autism diagnosis, please feel welcome to come along to the AEIOU Foundation Open Day on 28 August at the centre closest to you.

This is a great opportunity to observe how the AEIOU early intervention program works for young children with autism, meet the team, and ask questions. The Open Day would also be beneficial if you are an early childhood educator, GP or allied health professional, please join the team at your local centre. Click here for further information and registration information.