New autism hub in Canberra receives capital injection as construction commences

AEIOU Foundation has confirmed that not for profit health care charity the John James Foundation has committed $3.5 million towards the completion of their new state of the art autism hub for children in Canberra. 

The facility, which commenced construction this week, will occupy 1,200sqm of land and will have a state of the art learning centre, playground and parking facilities that will enable it to cater for children aged between 2 and 6 years old. 

Up to 40 children per day will be supported by a specialist team that will include speech pathologists, occupational therapists, behavioural therapists and early childhood educators. 

The hub will be the first AEIOU property in the Australian Capital Territory (ACT) and is expected to open in 2021. 

Commenting Alan Smith CEO of AEIOU said “This demonstrates our commitment to young families and the community in Canberra and New South Wales. Early intervention is life-changing. It offers hope, unlocks potential and opens up possibilities for families and their young children at a critical time of their life.”

With John James Foundation CEO Joe Ruff saying “Canberra families have previously relocated to Queensland to access these services.  Families will now be able to stay close to family and friends, with the autism -specific support they need.”

AEIOU is a family focused profit for purpose organisation that was established in 2005 with a network of centres that support more than 350 children per day in the 2 to 6 year old age groups across 10 centres across South Australia and Queensland. 

This site is their first in the ACT.