Announcement:
Specialised Early Childhood Centres For Children With Autism
Date of announcement:
8th October 2007
Detail:
“Federal Labor will establish specialised child care and early intervention services – six in the initial stage – for children with autism.
….
“Federal Labor would make sure that our specialist child care centres would provide programs delivered by staff with specialist training, and a physical environment which provides appropriate stimulation. The specialised child care and early intervention centres will be built on appropriate sites across Australia to provide dedicated early intervention and care for children with autism spectrum disorders.
…
“Federal Labor’s new autism specific centres would follow similar developmental methods to the AEIOU program that currently operates in Brisbane, and the Lizard Centre in Sydney. These programs are designed to develop the skills of the child in the following areas:
• Social interaction and play skills
• Cognitive development
• Self-help/tasks of everyday life
• Communication
• Sensory integration
• Fine and gross motor skills
Federal Labor is working with parental, expert and carer groups to determine the most effective operational arrangements for these services. The final service models will take into account existing child care subsidies, including the Child Care Benefit and Child Care Tax Rebate.”
