South Australia – A new autism center for students on the spectrum will open October 7. The center will be part of Queenland-based AEIOU foundation and will offer support, therapy, and education for preschool aged children with autism.
The nonprofit foundation chief, Alan Smith said they chose South Australia as their location because of the great need for centers of it’s kind.
Mr. Smith told the Australian news outlet Herald Sun
“The prevalence of autism in the community is high,”
The schools opening is wonderful news to the Southern Times Messenger and Special School For The South campaigns, the latter of which was run by Port Noarlunga 17-year-old Kelsey Walker who, in July, called for the state’s government to build a school to help her brother Jordan whose on the spectrum. This news is also welcomed by many parents who have travel many miles to insure their children get the education they need.
More importantly, this school can help students on the spectrum transition better into regulars schools with little to no trouble at all, something all parents and families want.
To be considered for one of the twenty coveted program spots children need to be assessed under the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS). The school will be run by a trained teacher and three support aids along with a speech pathologist, and occupational therapist. It hopes to triple the number of spots available in the next twelve months.
The AEIOU school will be run out of their Huntfield Hights location until the Minda’s Brighten Site opens next year.
To learn more about this school please visit http://aeiou.org.au/
The original article by Amelia Broadstock in the Herald Sun can be read here