More help for children with autism on the Gold Coast

Gold Coast children with autism will now have more access to services thanks to Queensland Government funding changes.

Disability Services Minister Coralee O’Rourke announced the new funding structure for AEIOU Foundation during a visit today to their Gold Coast centre at Arundel for which provides life-changing early intervention services for young children.

The announcement was made during Autism Awareness Month which raises awareness and funds to help support Queenslanders of all ages living with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) and their families.

“The Queensland Government provides more than $2.9 million in ongoing funding to AEIOU Foundation to support 182 children and their families across the state,” Mrs O’Rourke said.

“The organisation was previously funded according to the individual service centres but this has now changed with the creation of a state-wide funding pool.

“AEIOU will be able to direct funding to the locations or centres where there is greatest need.”

Dr James Morton AM, Chair and Founder of AEIOU Foundation said the organisation helps children with autism develop skills in social interaction, language and communication, sensory integration, cognitive development and everyday life tasks.

“This is a fantastic 10th birthday present for AEIOU, to have funding available for our Gold Coast centre,” Dr Morton said.

“It means we can address some of the large unmet need and double the number of families we help on the Gold Coast, from 20 places to 40.

“Our waiting lists are growing and we really appreciate the State Government’s understanding of the value of early intervention for children with autism and their foresight in addressing that.”

Dr Morton said that as a dad of a 15-year-old with autism, he has seen the difference early intervention can make in teaching children essential skills.

“My wife and I created the program based on what we knew gave our son the skills to cope, communicate, feel understood, learn and manage his behaviour.”

The not-for-profit has nine centres across Queensland located at Nathan, Bray Park, Camira, Toowoomba, Gold Coast, Hervey Bay, Bundaberg, Townsville and Sippy Downs.

Mrs O’Rourke said the Department of Communities, Child Safety and Disability Services had been working with AEIOU CEO Alan Smith to help the foundation meet demand, especially for families on their waitlist.

“The government is proud of AEIOU’s work in providing high-quality early intervention services in dedicated and innovative centres around Queensland,” she said.

“I commend the foundation for making a real difference in improving the lives of children with autism.

“Parents and families have seen the benefits of these early intervention services too.”

For more information about disability funding and services in Queensland, visit www.communities.qld.gov.au/disability.

Media Contact:                                  Minister O’Rourke’s office                 0417 119 473