Eyes On Autism | Issue 28 (2023)

eyes on

autism

Issue 28

IN THIS ISSUE 5

New research on early intervention

7

Alumni family’s fundraising event a hole-in-one

8

Meet little learner Archie

2 | AEIOU Foundation Eyes on Autism

Message from our Chair and CEO Welcome to Eyes on Autism. We are excited to bring this publication to you now in an online format. This is a magazine for our community, including families who access our service or who are considering our service, our supporters, corporate partners, and government and industry partners.

addition to North Queensland.

It’s made possible with bipartisan government support and funding across State and Federal Government in addition to private philanthropy, events and community donations. We look forward to sharing an update with you in our next edition.

In this edition, you can read about the personal experience for a family as they embark on their early intervention journey with AEIOU Foundation, along with news about community and fundraising events, research developments and more.

We warmly acknowledge AEIOU’s anniversary, with 2023 marking 18 years of operation. We have achieved a great deal in this time, staying true to the vision of AEIOU’s founders James and Louise Morton.

Today, AEIOU is a place for children and families to find the support they need, and it is a welcoming community to be part of. We are proud to be a strong foundation for the growth, development, education, and inclusion for young children with autism. Our vision is children with

As this edition goes to print, construction is commencing on a new, purpose-built centre in Townsville. This new, threeclassroom centre is a longawaited and very welcome

autism living their best lives, and we are proud of every child’s individual abilities and strengths. It is a privilege to be part of their journey. Thank you to each family who chooses AEIOU, and to each supporter who makes what we do possible.

Sincerely, Susan Rix AM, Chair Alan Smith, CEO

Acknowledgment of Country AEIOU Foundation acknowledges and pays respect to past and present Traditional Custodians and Elders of this nation, and the continuation of cultural, spiritual, and educational practices of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.

In the spirit of reconciliation, we are committed to educating the children in our care about the living culture, history, and achievements of First Nations peoples by embedding a genuine culture and learning framework in our centres.

We are committed to creating a safe, understanding, and equal space for all our staff, clients and stakeholders.

As part of that commitment, AEIOU acknowledges the role we play as an organisation in the greater initiative of reconciliation. The implementation of our Reconciliation Action Plan (RAP) in 2023 holds us accountable to achieving our goal of creating a more inclusive and culturally aware organisation.

This is a representation of the Acknowledgement of Country using images from the Picture Exchange Card System (PECS), a tool used in our centres to develop functional communication skills with our children.

AEIOU Foundation Eyes on Autism | 3

A snapshot of our service AEIOU launched a new client information system just over 12 months ago, transforming the way we onboard and manage all client accounts. This system has improved the enrolment process and our billing system and gives great insight across our service.

Our friendly Enrolments team speak with up to 1,000 parents and carers each year, with around a third of these enquiries progressing to the next stage in the enrolment process. This reflects the various ages and stages of a child’s pathway, with many still navigating assessment, diagnosis and securing NDIS plans and funding when they first enquire with us.

Children commence at AEIOU after receiving an official diagnosis of Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) and, most often, NDIS funding.

This occurs, on average, during the year they turn three years old.

Based on historical data, we anticipate welcoming around 150 new starters across AEIOU’s centres in January 2024.

Most importantly, our new client information system also provides us with data to help look after families while they’re on the waitlist.

We’re able to support families to advocate for funding for their child and support them through any funding reviews.

AEIOU currently has 50 children on the waitlist, waiting for an appropriate placement at their preferred centre location.

Our top family resources Read:

Watch:

The Australian Autism Handbook, by Benison O’Reilly and Seana Smith

Autism: The Early Years, Episodes 1 to 9

A Double Shot of Happiness: Tim Sharp’s extraordinary autism journey, by Judy Sharp The Brain Forest, by Sandhya Menon

DAD... a film about autism and fatherhood Float and Loop, short films on Disney+ Pablo on ABC

Listen:

Do:

Too Peas in a Podcast

Story time with simple language and bright pictures

The Parenting Spectrum a different brilliant®,

by Aspect

Squishy session with playdough Bubbles

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Flashback: AEIOU Logan five years on This year marks the fifth anniversary of AEIOU’s Logan centre delivering early intervention services to children with autism and their families.

Since opening in 2018 on Griffith University’s Logan Campus, the centre has enrolled up to 40 children each year since.

AEIOU CEO Alan Smith said the city of Logan, with a population of 360,000 and rising, was first earmarked as the location for a potential AEIOU centre to address the lack of autism early intervention programs in the area.

The Logan centre officially became a reality in September 2018 – becoming the 10th centre since the Foundation was established in 2005. It was made possible with bipartisan support from both state and federal governments, and supporters including Griffith University Chain Reaction Foundation, the Wantz Committee and Rotary International.

The centre was designed and constructed by Buchan Architects and Hutchinson Builders, both long-term AEIOU supporters.

“It is common for families to commute long distances to access the support they need, and this was certainly the case for many Logan families. It is a privilege to deliver a high-quality service in the heart of Logan, knowing there was such a gap in the area,” Mr Smith said.

Mr Smith said five years on, AEIOU has a solid team delivering exemplary support to local children and families, facilitating a unique community for families who were previously managing these early years of an autism diagnosis on their own.

“We are proud to serve Logan and surrounding communities, and we’re excited about its future.”

AEIOU’s partnership and co-location with Griffith University means the Logan centre provides great research opportunities for Griffith academics and students.

AEIOU Foundation Eyes on Autism | 5

New research reveals benefits of early intervention Many AEIOU parents and carers openly share how AEIOU’s early intervention program changed their lives. Earlier this year, AEIOU’s Research & Assessment team released the results of a new data linkage project, quantifying the outcomes of intensive, integrated therapy and education support, in addition to the cost-benefit for society for every dollar invested in specialist programs like the one delivered at AEIOU. According to a 2023 study by Synergies Economic Consulting, every dollar invested into autismspecific early intervention returns $6.16 to the community. The independent cost benefit analysis demonstrated that intensive early intervention programs deliver average savings of approximately $297,000 per child over a single child’s lifetime.

The study is the first to be conducted using data held within AEIOU’s new digital data warehouse. AEIOU’s digital data warehouse is a live, working repository unlike any other in Australia. It captures clinical assessments when a child starts at a centre and again each year.

It tracks each child’s progress towards their development goals in real-time.

This data can inform other evidence-based, intensive early intervention settings to best support children with autism.

It presents opportunities for government stakeholders in decision-making, for the benefit of autistic children and their families.

Is an integrated early intervention approach beneficial to the individual, to families, to society?

We’ve heard so many stories from families whose lives have changed, and now the data proves it.

This data shows children enrolled at AEIOU: • Receive diagnoses at 35 months (2 years and 11 months).

• Come from diverse backgrounds, with 1 in 3 families identifying as culturally and linguistically diverse.

• Have First Nations heritage, with 7.9% of children identifying as First Nations.

• Make great gains in self-help skills. Just 17% of children are toilet trained when they start at AEIOU. Upon completion of the program, 81% of children are fully toilet trained.

• Make clear gains in functional communication, fine and gross motor skills, and independent living skills even when presenting with significant challenges • Begin to catch up to their peers, learning skills at rates over and above what would be expected for a typically developing child.

6 | AEIOU Foundation Eyes on Autism

Meet Joy, Clinical Delivery Manager Joy’s career has flourished since she started as a speech pathologist at AEIOU’s Sippy Downs centre in May 2015. She has held roles as a Senior Speech Pathologist, Program Manager, Clinical Team Leader, and is now a Manager of Clinical Delivery.

Working as a speech pathologist at Sippy Downs taught Joy a lot about working with other disciplines. “I learnt about toilet training and self-help with the occupational therapist, and behaviour management, behaviour principles, and effective teaching with the behavioural analyst,” she says.

AEIOU has provided Joy with opportunities to become more reflective in her practice. She understands, values, and appreciates the importance of our transdisciplinary model, and has seen firsthand the hard work, sweat, and tears early intervention specialists and teachers pour into their everyday duties.

Joy lives up to her name, too – her bright personality and positive attitude underpins strong partnerships with families and staff alike.

She’s had many highlights throughout her time at AEIOU, but one that stands out for her is when one of the first children she worked with at Sippy Downs said their very first word. “It was an absolutely magical moment,” she says.

In her current role, Joy supports centre-based staff to support the quality of the service, and identify areas to improve. She’s always keen to learn from people’s lived experiences, and to incorporate these learnings into projects.

She reflects that AEIOU’s culture celebrates open conversations not only about how far we have come, but also how much we can continue to do.

“AEIOU is such a unique service, and having experienced the private practice sector, I can only value more and appreciate more the intensive support we provide to the children and families.”

What is World Autism Awareness Month?

World Autism Awareness Month falls in April each year.

For organisations like ours who support autistic individuals, it’s a great opportunity to bring the community together in addition to raising vital funds and prioritising education, sharing our expert knowledge on autism and best-practice supports.

It’s also an opportunity to celebrate each of the unique children we support and their efforts to learn and master skills, build their confidence and grow their independence. It’s a time to celebrate our incredible team who demonstrate enormous commitment towards each child, and the families we work with.

Each year, we ask our local community and generous supporters to raise valuable funds as part of Let’s Get Awesome for Autism.

We’re always grateful for their support.

A slice of kindness Threesides Marketing, a partner to AEIOU in the Canberra Region, held an awesome movie-themed bake sale to recognise Autism Awareness Month and to show their support for AEIOU. A big heartfelt thanks to the whole team for using their creative minds to support children with autism in a different way. Just look at these cakes!

AEIOU Foundation Eyes on Autism | 7

Love: powerful driver behind father’s charity golf event What do you get when you connect a couple’s love of their son, a passion to make a difference in the community and an affinity for the golf green? A wildly successful golf day, that has brought people together and raised much-needed funds for children at AEIOU for six years.

Meet Adam and Toni Empringham and their son, Caelan, now 9.

Caelan was diagnosed with autism at the age of two, and the young family was uncertain of the challenges that lay ahead. If you’re to put it in golf terms, Adam and Toni found themselves in need of a caddy.

New to the world of autism and parenthood, they were determined to give Caelan every opportunity to live his best life.

Just as an experienced caddy provides the right club and guidance for the next golf shot, all they needed was the right environment to nurture Caelan’s development.

That’s where AEIOU Foundation came in.

“Naturally, we wanted to give him the best chance. My wife started doing research and we came across AEIOU, which was perfect for us at the time,” Adam said.

“From our perspective, Caelan was our first child and we’d also personally never had any exposure to autism. We were on a bit of a crash course on what to do.”

Facing no available spots in the nearest Brisbane centre, the family made the significant decision to relocate to the Sunshine Coast to take up a vacancy at the Sippy Downs centre.

“It was big transition for him, not only moving up to the Sunshine Coast – we were fortunate he loved the water and sand, he didn’t mind being on the beach – but that transition into the five full days certainly had its challenges in the beginning,’ he said.

“But then he adjusted and ultimately graduated AEIOU, and that was a successful outcome for us all.”

At the time, the Sippy Downs centre was awaiting funding for staged upgrades to the facility. Adam sensed an opportunity to accelerate installation of playground equipment for the centre.

That’s where the idea of his charity golf day was born. Now in its sixth year, the annual Image Property Charity Golf Day raises vital funds for AEIOU. “I’m a keen golfer, a bunch of my mates are keen golfers, so we just thought if we could kick something off that could be beneficial [to AEIOU] and fun to be a part of, we should.”

Adam was confident it would be a success; golf courses he investigated hosting the first event at weren’t so sure.

In a sport where going ‘under’ is key, Adam was more than happy to go ‘overs’ in the money-making metric. This year alone, Image Property’s Golf Day raised near $60,000.

“Year on year we just want to be able to continue to donate those funds for AEIOU,” he said.

As for Caelan, he might not be a keen golfer like his father yet, but he has a passion for the golf course.

“Luckily enough he does love getting out on the golf course with us... Not so much to hit the ball, he just loves being outside running around on the course,” Adam said.

“Our local course has a stack of kangaroos, and he loves seeing kangaroos as well. He’s keen and eager to get out there, occasionally hitting a ball, but he certainly has a passion for it which is great.”

Told he was “kidding himself” for setting an ambitious $20,000 in year one, Adam’s planning paid off when the event made par with that total. From there, the golf day has continued to be a great success.

In recent months, AEIOU has been named a beneficiary at several significant events, driving awareness and funding to deliver additional services for the children in our centres.

Special thanks to our amazing supporters behind the events, including: • Adam Empringham from Image Property, hosting Image Property Charity Golf Day in October • Team Jacob, a charity started by one of our dear alumni families, who hosted the Boutique Beer Lunch in October • Val Peachey from September’s Toowoomba Carnival of Flowers, for choosing AEIOU as the beneficiary of her Exhibition Garden • Lexus Group holding events for Melbourne Cup and selecting AEIOU as the beneficiary for sweepstakes

8 | AEIOU Foundation Eyes on Autism

Archie’s newfound independence Archie, 4, started at AEIOU Foundation’s Toowoomba centre in January 2023. His mum Yaneira, dad Jason and his older twin brothers relocated from Sydney to enrol Archie and for a simpler life close to family.

Jason said it’s been a ‘gamechanger’ for Archie, who previously attended mainstream childcare and accessed speech therapy and occupational therapy separately.

“With COVID-19, there were delays to getting a diagnosis and starting treatment. We were lucky to find fantastic speech and occupational therapists, though, who saw Archie outside of childcare”.

“Despite being happy with the therapists, nothing beats having end-to-end care with a consistent team in one location and to still be able to balance work and family commitments,” Jason said.

Archie is a boy who loves cars, trucks, and anything related to construction. “Any chance he has to get his trucks outside and dig in the dirt is where he wants to be. He also loves to swim, in the pool and in the ocean, so we really lean into that.”

He is also a boy with an uncanny sense of direction, with Jason explaining he only needs to visit a destination once to remember how to get there.

Archie was first diagnosed with Global Developmental Delay, with support needed for speech and social development. “His cognitive understanding is strong. He has also developed between 50-100 sounds or phrases, and is amazing at using non-verbal cues to tell us what he needs.

“Six months ago, I’d have never imagined he would have come so far with skills he’s developed. Like his independence around getting undressed, which used to result in meltdowns. He is taking his bag into AEIOU and putting his lunch in the fridge, and his water bottle away. The barriers are breaking down and he is playing more with other kids, too.”

Recently, Archie’s mum took him to his first horse-riding lesson. She and Jason were amazed when they picked him up from AEIOU the next day, to hear from one of his educators that he told the team all about his experience with the horse. “He is using the app, LAMP, to communicate and was able to independently share this experience, which was incredible.”

From the start, Archie has proven to be tough and resilient in the face of challenges.

“There were complications after Archie was born, and he nearly died that first night. He has since managed various health challenges, some requiring surgery,” Jason added, before explaining his family’s optimism for the future.

“We have great hopes for Archie.

We hope he can live a full and independent life, that he does well in mainstream education, enters full-time employment and experiences love and friendships that make life so worthwhile.”

Jason reflects that in the past, things would be different. “We are thankful for what is provided to us today, through the NDIS and organisations like AEIOU. It makes an enormous difference.”

“As a parent, you have this fear and anxiety about the future. You hear stories about other children’s growth, development, and gains, but you don’t know what cards you’ve been dealt with. There’s no way to see the future,” Jason said.

Messy play every day Our Adelaide team recently helped the children explore different textures. Think oats, coloured pasta, lentils, non-toxic paint and more. You never know what new sensory experience you might find by exploring your surrounding world – even the pantry!

Activities like this help children become more familiar with different textures while developing their fine motor and communication skills.

Focus on everything they learn, just forget about the clean-up!

AEIOU Foundation Eyes on Autism | 9

A Gala to remember Taking place at The Calile Hotel in June, the biennial AEIOU Fundraising Gala was an event to remember.

Hosted by Victoria Carthew and AEIOU Ambassador Pat Welsh, more than 280 guests experienced an exquisite three-course menu, an exclusive wine list by event wine sponsor Craggy Range and entertainment by Sister Mister, a local band known for turning on a good time.

Not only did sponsors and guests have a great time, together they raised more than $180,404, making it the most successful AEIOU Gala event to date.

This is an outstanding result for the children and families we serve, which is only possible with thanks to the caring generosity and support of our community.

There were two primary focusses on the night: core fundraising and pledges.

Funds raised by the event contribute towards the new AEIOU Foundation centre in Townsville, set to commence construction later this year. On the night, guests also made pledges in support of AEIOU’s Little Learners Fund, for children and families at AEIOU experiencing financial hardship.

Raffle prizes shone, with an ultimate online shopping experience from Alex Perry valued at $5,000, a family portrait session with Stefanie Plum Photography and more on offer. Prizes as part of the silent auction included an AFL Football team signed by the 2023 Brisbane Lions team, and two nights’ accommodation at the luxury Elements of Byron resort.

Thank you to our major sponsors, Griffith University and Craggy Range Vineyards, for their support in delivering this event.

This year’s Gala promised to be a memorable occasion, an evening filled with elegance, entertainment, and philanthropy, and it was a resounding success.

There are many opportunities throughout the year to support children at AEIOU! Contact our Fundraising team on 1300 273 435 or head to aeiou.org.au/support-aeiou.

Sizzling success for Camira centre Caramelising onions and grilling snags to perfection is an art, and our Camira team have it mastered. This team has done some serious sizzling this year, hosting nine sausage sizzle fundraiser events at Bunnings Springfield. This massive effort has helped them raise over $11,000 in support of resources and activities at their centre – go team!

10 | AEIOU Foundation Eyes on Autism

A test of fitness and fortitude There are a multitude of ways to give back and contribute to community. Some people like to make connections, others like to raise money through fun community initiatives like bake sales or morning teas, or even major events, auctions, raffles, or trivia nights.

And then there are those who enjoy a physical and mental challenge.

Long-term friends of AEIOU are sure to be familiar with the Chain Reaction Challenge. This is a national corporate fundraising initiative where participants in every state hop on their bikes for a 7 day, 1,000km, hill-laden test of endurance each year.

Why? For the revolving cast of Queensland cyclists who participate in the Chain Reaction Challenge Foundation rides each year, it is the opportunity to raise thousands of dollars for children’s charities in a unique way that tests their fitness and fortitude.

AEIOU is grateful children with autism have been a beneficiary of their rides for more than a decade. In that time, more than $3 million has been raised for our leading autism early intervention service over a 10-year partnership.

Behind the millions raised is the countless hours and kilometres put into training and participating in the challenges, which are 1,000km long and usually take place through highland locations like Tasmania and New Zealand’s South Island.

Chain Reaction’s first donation to AEIOU helped improve playground facilities at AEIOU’s Camira centre, while recent donations have contributed to larger scale projects like the development of Logan’s purpose-built centre.

While the riders might change year on year, there have been many regulars, including AEIOU founder and patron A/Prof James Morton AM and Michael Byrom, who has participated in 16 straight rides after helping establish the Queensland arm of Chain Reaction.

After thousands of hours in the bike saddle raising funds for AEIOU and Queensland children’s charities, Michael Byrom’s fundraising journey has crossed the finish line.

The Brisbane lawyer and one of the founders of Chain Reaction’s Queensland branch this year completed his 16th consecutive – and final – cycling challenge.

Mr Byrom, who is also a board member of Chain Reaction Challenge Foundation and supporter of the 3-day women’s event as assistant coach, said the friendships he made, the significant funds raised for charity, and the opportunity to ride spectacular and iconic rides in Australia and New Zealand made his long stint in the saddle all worthwhile.

Speaking ahead of his last ride, which took place in New Zealand in March 2023, Mr Byrom said he was looking forward to seeing new blood join the Chain Reaction team.

“It’s time for new enthusiastic riders to take over, and there are plenty of those,” he said.

A day in at the dentist A trip to the dentist can be daunting experience for children – or adults!

Our Bald Hills team has just the fix: a special role-play activity to help kids familiarise themselves with the dentist routine. This experience sees them learning about visiting the dentist’s office, sitting in a big chair, having their mouth looked at, and what it’s like to clean dirty marks from your teeth. The children were so enthralled that, the following day, they ‘became dentists’ in a great example of imaginative play!

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Where the whole family learns Our early intervention program stretches beyond the walls of our centres; in fact, for the best outcomes, it needs to extend into the home environment. AEIOU’s clinical team develops informative workshops on a variety of topics. These workshops are designed with helpful tips and strategies to enhance the experience of our current families with the program and empower them to apply it at home.

As children learn new skills and progress towards their individual goals, so do our parents and carers. That’s why, this year, our clinical team introduced two streams of workshops to better support families depending on the skills their child is learning – one for first-year families and one for second-year families. Each stream is tailored to support their child’s individual goals and needs at that time.

Food, glorious food Some foods can be mushy, and some can be sticky – but how do you know what’s good without a food expedition?

The kids at AEIOU Logan are true foodie experts, now exploring all things ‘sticky and chewy’. One of the children even brought their mum’s home-hive honey to taste.

What a treat!

Our workshops cover a range of topics like ‘Pre-Prep Readiness’, ‘Communication’, ‘Self-Help’, and ‘Social Skills’.

In November, we also introduced a new workshop, ‘Advocating for your child’. The session aims to help equip families with strategies to confidently voice their child’s support needs.

For more details about workshops in 2024, head to aeiou.org.au/workshops.

12 | AEIOU Foundation Eyes on Autism

our supporters Over the past 18 years, AEIOU Foundation has become one of Australia’s largest and most respected providers of evidence-based early intervention for children with autism.

Our work and impact is made possible through generous philanthropic and fundraising support. We are grateful for those who donate and partner with us in fundraising. Together, we are directly helping children with autism to learn, grow and truly live their best lives.

A gift that lasts a lifetime When you give to children with autism through AEIOU Foundation, you have a lifelong impact.

Brazil Family Foundation

Flannery Family Foundation

Peabody Foundation

Stan and Maureen Duke Foundation

Donations $2 and over are tax-deductible and are attributed to programs including the purchase of therapy and education resources and even financial aid for those experiencing hardship. You will be supporting children to develop skills including emotional regulation, motor skills and communication.

Donate today and help children with autism live their best lives.

Capturing memorable moments Giving comes in many forms. Meet Jung Eun, a Griffith University student who contacted AEIOU to volunteer. Since, her stellar photography skills and gentle interactions with the children have captured some beautiful moments in our centres.

Most of the photos you see in this publication were shot by Jung Eun! We are so grateful for her generosity.

Are you looking for volunteer opportunities? Email our team at info@aeiou.org.au.