One year after starting operations, Canberra’s first AEIOU autism intervention centre finally celebrated its official opening this week, after pandemic restrictions prevented celebrations last year.

The local AEIOU centre currently has the capacity to provide specialised care and therapies for 40 children aged two to six years who are on the autism spectrum. At yesterday’s opening, AEIOU announced plans to open a fourth room in the centre which would allow more children from the Canberra region to access the services.

Speaking at the opening, patron of the John James Foundation, Governor-General David Hurley, said he and his wife Linda are often approached to be patrons of organisations. However, it is those that provide positive outcomes for individuals and families in the health and education sphere they choose to support.

“The centre is life changing. Children with autism and their families have not been able to access specialist care elsewhere close by up until now; but now they have a warm. supportive, welcoming place of their own to come to,” the Governor-General said.  

The centre provides a place for children with autism, who struggle in mainstream childcare settings, to access daily therapy and education catered to their needs.

AEIOU was established by Associate Professor James Morton AM and his wife Louise back in 2005, in a church hall following their middle child’s autism diagnosis.

A/Prof Morton became emotional when talking about his son, Andy, and how far he had come in his journey. The opening day coincided with Andy moving out of home, a bittersweet occasion for his father, who hopes the centre will provide stepping stones for other children diagnosed with classic autism to be able to thrive like Andy.

“Of all our children who are leaving home or will leave home, he is the one we would like to keep. He is just such a happy person around the place. Within his framework he is just so entertaining, he has come so far,” A/Prof Morton smiled.

Realising how difficult it was for children with what he describes as classic autism to find care and services, the couple set out to make a difference in the lives of families like theirs.

While the name AEIOU may be a mouthful, Mr Morton said the vowels represent how children with autism have difficulty with communication, while the pink A followed by blue letters symbolises that one girl receives an autism diagnosis to every four boys.

There are 11 AEIOU centres – nine based in Queensland, one in Adelaide and one in Canberra. A/Prof Morton said the organisation would like to continue expanding as there are families in need across the country – but philanthropic donations, like those from the John James Foundation, are required.

“We would really like to take the program to where people live. It’s a stunning program; it’s very autism specific in what it does. There’s a lot of data and information collected with what we have published, but really the need is everywhere, and we would like to be able to address that. But to address it, we have to be able to create the space,” he said.

The purpose-built centre is bright and welcoming; many of the walls feature murals of things children aspire to be, such as astronauts. Those without murals are decorated in artworks the students have created. The rooms are full of activities to engage and entertain children and encourage them to engage with their peers.

Jennifer Taurima’s son Boston was among the first students to walk through the doors of AIEOU. Like many families who have a child with autism, Mrs Taurima struggled finding care for her son. She and her husband were facing one of them having to give up their careers when they heard about AEIOU. For them, the timing was perfect.

During his time at the centre, Boston’s social development has advanced in leaps and bounds. Before, he struggled with social skills and parallel played with other children; now he is able to hold conversations, is more patient and understanding of other people and their needs. Mrs Taurima says he is a real social butterfly, going on playdates with other students; he even has a favourite spot for his meetups.

“It would have to be indoor play centre where we were never brave enough to take him there prior to coming to the centre. And now he’s just learnt those few little social skills, we can safely go out without any meltdowns or anything like that,” she says.

Aged five, Boston is due to graduate at the end of this year. Mrs Taurima says their goal is to see him in a mainstream school. They feel confident making the switch as they know the therapists at AEIOU will be overseeing his transition in the first term. She says they are grateful to have carers who go above and beyond.

Find out more about the services provided by the centre at aeiou.org.au

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