AQ Brighton
The specialist therapy and teaching team at our Brighton centre provide the following services for individuals on the autism spectrum and their families living in Brisbane's northside, Caboolture, Pine Rivers and the Sunshine Coast.
Services include:
- Allied Health and Diagnostic Assessment Services (all ages)
- Autism Queensland School
- Behaviour Support Services (all ages)
- Early Childhood Groups (see below)
- Individual Therapy (all ages)
- Groups for School Ages and Adolescents
- School Advisory Service
- Support Coordination Services
- Vacation Care Groups
- Professional Development and Parent Education
Autism Queensland is a registered provider of NDIS supports.
early childhood groups
The following groups are available to families of young children on the autism spectrum living in Brisbane and South East Queensland. They are delivered by members of our multidisciplinary team including teachers & teacher aides, speech pathologists, occupational therapists and psychologists.
Please note: Autism Queensland group program fees are charged under the Capacity Building – Improved Daily Living section of your NDIS Plan. If you do not have funding in this specific Support Category, please discuss with your NDIS Local Area Coordinator or phone the NDIS on 1800 800 110.
To register your interest in any of our groups please complete the service request form below.
ECI Groups
Early childhood groups support children up to school entry age to develop the skills necessary for successful participation in-home and community life and transition into the next stage of their education.
Autism Queensland’s early childhood groups provide intensive, evidence-informed services for children on the spectrum five years and under. Each group contains a maximum of six children and is led by either a speech therapist, occupational therapist, or teacher supported by two program assistants. Input from other relevant professionals is provided on a weekly basis.
Children attend for either two or three days during school terms. Most join the group at the beginning of the school year and attend for at least 12 months. All children receive an individual assessment before their enrolment commences. Families and Autism Queensland early childhood staff jointly set your child’s goals for that term. These are reviewed at the end of each term and new ones set. This process continues throughout your child’s placement.
Autism Queensland’s early childhood groups:
- Recognise the specific needs of young children with autism
- Recognise parents are crucial members of the team who will help your child achieve success
- Use the child’s individual strengths and interests to motivate learning and develop skills
- Teach skills that are meaningful and useful for each child
- Utilise a positive approach to behaviour support which focuses on understanding the reasons for undesirable behaviour.
For more information about accessing a place for your child, fees, NDIS funding etc please complete the service request form.
NB: A waitlist may apply to some groups.
Food School
This nine-week group follows the principles of the Sequential Oral Sensory (SOS) Approach to Feeding to help children develop positive eating habits and reduce anxiety around mealtimes. It aims to help children have positive experiences with food, learn about mealtime routines, decrease resistance to touching, tasting, and swallowing food, and expand the range of foods they will try.
Food School (School Holiday Group)
This week-long group follows the principles of the Sequential Oral Sensory (SOS) Approach to Feeding to help children develop positive eating habits and reduce anxiety around mealtimes. It aims to help children have positive experiences with food, learn about mealtime routines, decrease resistance to touching, tasting, and swallowing food, and expand the range of foods they will try.
Preparation Station
PREParation Station is a group for children on the autism spectrum and their parents that help prepare for a successful transition to mainstream Prep. Children will have the opportunity to participate in a group education setting, and build their pre-academic skills including handwriting, cutting and fine motor skills. Parents will also gain greater knowledge and understanding of their child’s individual needs and be better equipped to support their child’s transition to Prep.
GRoups FOR SCHOOL ages
The following groups are available to school-aged individuals on the autism spectrum living in South East Queensland. They are delivered by members of our multidisciplinary team including teachers & teacher aides, speech pathologists and occupational therapists.
Please note: if there are no group dates listed for a particular group you are encouraged to submit a request for service. We will be in contact immediately a date is scheduled for that group.
To register your interest in any of our groups, please complete the service request form below.
Cool Conversations
Cool Conversations is a group to help your child develop their communication skills alongside peers within fun, motivating, and meaningful activities.
Participants will have the opportunity to work together throughout the week long group to practise a range of skills including having conversations, working together as a team, planning, and negotiating, all within a group setting.
This group is facilitated by our specialist therapists and teachers, who will support group participants to work towards their goals.
Cool Kids Anxiety Group
A 10-week group that teaches children (7-11 & 12-17 years) and their parents how to better manage their child’s anxiety. The group is based on Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), involves the participation of children and parents and focuses on teaching practical skills. Topics covered include: Learning about anxiety; Learning to think realistically; Parenting an anxious child; Facing fears using stepladders; Learning coping skills such as assertiveness or problem-solving.
The Cool Kids group was developed by Macquarie University and has been running since 1993. It has undergone continual scientific evaluation and development to include the latest understanding of anxiety and its treatment. The group has been translated into a number of languages and today is used in clinics, schools and hospitals around the world.
Fun, Friends & Feelings
A four-day, small group delivered during school holidays for children aged 5–7 years and their parents that focuses on using the group environment to teach and reinforce a range of social skills including coping with stress and frustration, communicating and making friends. Available during school holidays, sessions run for 2.5 hours each day.
Food Scientists
A nine-week group to help children (7-9 years) develop positive eating habits and reduce anxiety around mealtimes. The group aims to help children learn about the ‘science’ of food (using food for energy, learning about digestion), have positive experiences with food and learn about the properties of food, learn simple recipes they can use at home and expand the range of foods they will try.
Location and dates:
Autism Queensland Brighton
- Wednesdays, 3.30pm – 4.45pm
- Wednesday 21 July – Wednesday 15 September
Happy Hands Group
A six-week group to develop the handwriting and fine motor skills of young children (5-7 years) on the autism spectrum.
LEGO® Club
Groups offered for children aged 5-7 years and 8-12 years.
A six-week group designed to help children on the spectrum develop their social skills. This group uses LEGO®, alongside the expertise of an experienced allied health professional, to facilitate and build on your child’s social skills within a structured small group. Children will work collaboratively in groups of three, following assigned roles to complete LEGO® sets.
LEGO® Club School Holiday Group
A five-day intensive version of the above group for ages 5-7.
Movie Club
A school holiday group for teenagers on the autism spectrum aged 12-14 years who enjoy movies and would benefit from practicing their social skills in a small group setting (3-6 participants). This evidence-informed group provides a friendly and supportive environment for participants to enjoy movies together, join in group discussions, and engage in structured activities to explore and develop social skills.
PEERS® for Adolescents
PEERS® is an 18-week evidence-based social skills intervention for motivated adolescents (13-17 years) who are interested in learning ways to help them make and keep friends. During this interactive group, adolescents will learn important social skills and will be given the opportunity to practice these skills in session during socialisation activities (e.g. playing board games).
Secret Agent Society (SAS) Social Skills Group
A revolutionary social skills group for children aged 8-12 years with social and emotional challenges. The Secret Agent Society (SAS) social skills group creates a fun, non-threatening environment in which children can learn the skills they need to become happy, well-adjusted and valued members of our society. This flexible group helps parents and professionals to improve children’s emotional understanding and social skills.
Location and dates:
Autism Queensland Brighton
- Tuesdays, 3.15pm – 5.30pm
- Tuesday 13 July – Tuesday 14 September
Teen Tech Shed
Teen Tech Shed is a 10-week group for young people on the autism spectrum aged 13-17 years. It encourages appropriate socialising around technology while encouraging students to extend their knowledge of programming, coding and digital media. Sessions are facilitated in a safe and nurturing online environment that is moderated by group mentors during sessions. Teen Tech Shed mentors are current students or recent graduates in Creative Industries programs that have a strong IT focus such as Game Design, Coding, Illustration, Animation and Film and Television. They work with the participants to encourage social skills and create opportunities for the students to learn more about technology. All software and technology support is provided, however, participants are required to have access to a laptop or computer with an internet connection to take part in the group.
Location and dates:
The Autism Hub, 191 Merton Road, Woolloongabba
- Tuesdays and Thursdays, 3:30pm – 5:30pm
- Tuesday 13 July – Thursday 16 September
