New Bray Park centre helps children with autism

The second of a statewide network of centres offering individualised early intervention programs for children with autism was opened at Bray Park today.

Disability Services Minister Warren Pitt officially opened the Toni Redstone Autism Early Intervention Outcomes Unit (AEIOU) Centre, which will help give young children with autism the skills needed to enjoy a better quality of life.

Mr Pitt said early intervention played a crucial role in the effective treatment of autism in children under the age of five.

”Research shows that early intervention initiatives can produce significant improvement in the health, social and cognitive development of children and help minimise some of the barriers they face,” he said.

”The younger a child is when receiving treatment, the better the outcome, not only for the child but for the parents and other family members as well.

“Early intervention strategies recognise how vital it is to support people with disabilities and their families and help them plan for the future.”

In 2005–06, the Queensland Government allocated recurrent funding of $1 million to implement its Autism Early Intervention Initiative for families of children with autism spectrum disorders.

In 2006-07, the government added another $1 million to its commitment, providing a total recurrent allocation of $2 million.

“These funds were allocated to Autism Queensland and AEIOU to establish autism early intervention centres in Brisbane and regional Queensland,” Mr Pitt said.

“The first service developed by AEIOU is now operating at Moorooka, with other centres to be developed at Browns Plains, Townsville, Toowoomba, Brisbane’s western suburbs, and the Sunshine and Gold coasts.

“They will help to strengthen family resilience and capacity to care and reduce the long-term care and support costs for families.”

Media contact: Joe Begley 3235 4280 or 0408 701 379