Government continues support for autism specialised early learning centres

The $7.8 million in funding will ensure six autism specific early learning and care centres across the country remain open until 30 June 2020.

The announcement was made prior to the recent Liberal leadership challenge resulting in a change in Prime Minister and reshuffled cabinet.

Former Minister for Social Services Dan Tehan says the Government recognises the important role early intervention plays in both children with autism and their parents.

“The targeted learning and care delivered at these centres gives special needs children a good start to the first six years of life and contributes to positive long-term outcomes,” he says.

“The centres also provide parents with resources to care for their children and the opportunity to meet other parents in a similar situation and participate more in the community.

Mr Tehan says the funding will allow the centres to develop and adapt their business models to sustainably operate within the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS), as well as enabling parents to prepare for the Scheme.

KU Children’s Services Acting Chief Executive Officer, Karen Dawson says the investment is pivotal in enabling KU Children’s Services to continue providing its highly regarded support to current and future families.

“The continuation of Australian Government funding to this award winning centre of early intervention research excellence will enable us to continue to support families with children with autism so that they can access high quality education and care, and achieve positive long-term outcomes,” she says.

The centres who will reap the benefits of this funding are…

• The La Trobe University Margot Prior Autism Specific Early Learning and Care Centre (Melbourne)

• The Daphne Street Child Care and Specialist Early Learning Centre (Adelaide)

• The KU Marcia Burgess Autism Specific Early Learning and Care Centre (Queensland)

• The Queensland Autism Specific Early Learning and Care Centre – AEIOU Foundation for children with autism (Brisbane)

• The Autism Association (WA) Mercy Care Autism Specific Early Learning and Care Centre (Perth)

• The North West Tasmania Autism Specific Early Learning and Care Centre (Tasmania).

For more information on disability support and services, please visit DisabilitySupportGuide.com.au