AQ Mackay
Our specialist therapy and teaching team provide the following services for individuals on the autism spectrum living in Mackay, Whitsundays and surrounding areas.
Services include:
- Allied Health Assessments (SP & OT – all ages)
- Behaviour Support Services (all ages)
- Early Childhood Group Programs
- Group Programs for School-Aged Children and Adolescents
- Individual Therapy (all ages)
- School Advisory Service
The following supports are also available:
Autism Queensland is a registered provider of NDIS supports.
This service was made possible thanks to the financial support of The John Villiers Trust, in conjunction with funding provided by the Department of Communities – Disability Services. John Villiers was a lifelong member of Autism Queensland and emphasised the importance of accessibility of services in regional Queensland.
AQ Mackay
The John Villiers Centre of Excellence Mackay-Whitsunday
10 Macrossan Street, East Mackay QLD 4740
EARLY CHILDHOOD GROUP PROGRAMS
Autism Queensland Mackay provides early childhood group programs to children under seven years of age with a diagnosis of ASD and their families living in Mackay, Whitsundays and surrounds. Our specialist team include teachers, teacher aides, speech pathologists and occupational therapists.
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 services or programs, please complete the expression of interest form below.
ECI Group Programs
ECI group programs support children to develop the skills necessary for successful participation in home and community life and for successful transition into the next stage of their education. They focus on the development of functional communication and social skills, sensory processing, attention, comprehension, problem-solving, self-care and increased independence. A maximum of six children per group attend two to three days per week for a minimum of 12 months. Suitable for children aged 3-6 years.
Early Start Denver Model
The ESDM is a model designed to target the key features of autism involving intensive teaching within a play-based curriculum. Read more.
Food School
Food School follows the principles of the Sequential Oral Sensory (SOS) approach to Feeding to help children develop positive eating habits and reduce anxiety around mealtimes.
Preparing for Year 1
A 15-week group program for children with ASD to prepare for successful transition from Prep to Year 1.
Social Skills Group Program
A short-term program that aims to develop children’s functional abilities in the area of social skills including turn-taking and sharing, play, social communication and friendship. Children aged between 5- 8 years will attend a one-hour session weekly over nine weeks after school.
GROUP PROGRAMS FOR SCHOOL-AGED CHILDREN
Autism Queensland Mackay delivers a range of group programs for school-aged children on the autism spectrum and their families living in Mackay, Whitsundays and surrounds. Our specialist team includes teachers, teacher aides, speech pathologists and occupational therapists.
To register your interest in any of our programs, please complete the expression of interest form below.
Social Skills Group Program
A short-term, after-school program, that aims to develop children’s functional abilities in the area of social skills including turn-taking and sharing, play, social communication and friendship. Children aged between 5-8 years attend weekly for one hour over nine weeks.
Secret Agent Society (SAS) Social Skills Program
A revolutionary social skills program for children aged 8-12 years with social and emotional challenges. The Secret Agent Society (SAS) social skills program 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 program helps parents and professionals to improve children’s emotional understanding and social skills.
Teen Tech Shed
Teen Tech Shed is a social 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. 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.
Delivered during school terms:
Autism Queensland Mackay, Wednesdays
3.30pm-5.30pm.
