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AEIOU expands Early Childhood support in Townsville

First day of the all new AEIOU centre for children opened in Idalia, Townsville. Scott Radford-Chisholm

What’s Happening

Australia’s leading autism provider AEIOU Foundation are opening their doors to more families with the introduction of new services catering to children with differing needs.

Known for its full-time early intervention supports for autistic children, AEIOU is now offering new services to support for neurodiverse children under the age of six. 

In addition to the introduction of flexible part-time enrolments for therapeutic support, AEIOU is introducing a new, Townsville-first early education and care program designed especially for autistic children and children with Global Developmental Delay. 

The new program, which doesn’t require NDIS funding, will operate alongside AEIOU’s intensive service at their new, purpose-built centre at Idalia. 

Local Impact

The new services aim to ease the growing challenges that families are facing due to recent NDIS reforms, including lower plan values and the push for children with complex needs to enter mainstream settings. 

“Families who previously have not been able to access AEIOU can now benefit from our services,” Ms Newham said. 

“This includes families that don’t have a NDIS plan, as it isn’t required for the specialised early education and care program, or those families awaiting NDIS funding, those with low plan values, and those still undergoing the diagnostic process. 

“It also gives families an option for children with a Level 1 or 2 autism diagnosis who are struggling in mainstream settings and seeking more support.” 

What they said

“We still offer our research based, full-time early intervention program, but we’re responding to the changing NDIS landscape and the diverse needs of our families by introducing these new options,” Ms Newham said.

“Families who previously have not been able to access AEIOU can now benefit from our services.”

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