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New autism centre of excellence for University of the Sunshine Coast

The University of the Sunshine Coast will be home to a new autism centre of excellence, Disability Services Minister Annastacia Palaszczuk said today.

Ms Palaszczuk and the Federal Minister for Families Jenny Macklin visited the university's Sippy Downs campus where the new centre will be up and running by early 2011.

She said the Bligh Government would provide the AEIOU Foundation with $450,000 a year to run the centre.

"This is great news for Sunshine Coast families," Ms Palaszczuk said. "It's all about giving children the best possible start in life.

"The new centre of excellence will support at least 25 children with autism through group-based developmental and educational programs.

"It will also deliver speech therapy, occupational therapy and physiotherapy.

"The centre will also serve as a hub for outreach services to the Fraser Coast and Central Highlands regions.

"This is part of our commitment to strengthening early intervention services, which a key element of our action plan for children with a disability from birth to eight years."

The Federal Government has announced it will provide AEIOU Foundation with $1.8 million in capital funding to establish the new centre of excellence.

Ms Palaszczuk said the Bligh Government provided AEIOU with $1.5 million a year as part of its Autism Early Intervention Initiative.

"With this funding AEIOU is able to support 120 Queensland children in autism centres throughout the State," she said.

"Six centres are already up and running in Bray Park, Park Ridge, Toowoomba, Townsville, Cairns and Nathan.

"The new centre on the Sunshine Coast centre is on track to be up and running in early 2011 and a location is being sought for a centre on the Gold Coast.

Minister for Disability Services and Multicultural Affairs
The Honourable Annastacia Palaszczuk
06/08/2010

Permanent Link: New autism centre of excellence for University of the Sunshine Coast
Publish Date: 06 Aug 10

Article Contact Details

Queensland Government, Disability, Home and Community Care, and Community Mental Health Services :
Sunshine Coast Office: Level 1, 12 King Street, Caboolture
Phone: 07 5431 2230
Non-fixed: 1800 177 120

Comments / Have your say

i have 2 kids with autism the centre sounds great but living in rural country town we get left out and the centres. only help the ones that that dont have to drive for hours to get to ,there is more children with austim everyday that fall behind we need more centre,s in the country not just in the coast area,s and city,s my kids dont get the help it so we have to do it ourself to the best as we can thankyou

shane banberry of gympie

1 of 13rd September 2010, 6.49pm
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