AQ Rockhampton
Autism Queensland Rockhampton is located at The John Villiers Centre of Excellence Central Queensland, Koongal. Our specialist therapy and teaching team provide the following services for people on the autism spectrum and their families living in Rockhampton, Emerald and surrounding areas.
Services include:
- Early Childhood Group Programs
- Programs for School-Aged Children and Adolescents
- Individual Therapy (all ages)
- School Advisory Service
The following services are also available:
- Early Intervention Indigenous Liaison Officer Program
- Professional Development & Parent Education
- Parent Coaching: ESDM, Circle of Security and Learn to Play Therapy
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 Department of Communities – Disability Services. John Villiers was a lifelong member of Autism Queensland and emphasised the importance of accessibility of services in Central Queensland.
AQ Rockhampton
The John Villiers Centre of Excellence Central Queensland
373 Lakes Creek Road, Koongal QLD 4700
EARLY CHILDHOOD GROUP PROGRAMS
Autism Queensland Rockhampton is located at The John Villiers Centre of Excellence Central Queensland at Koongal. Our team provide group programs for children under seven years of age with a diagnosis of ASD and their families living in Rockhampton, Emerald and surrounding areas.
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. For six-eight children who attend 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.
ESDM Parent Coaching is also available.
Food School
A program for children aged under 7 years with ASD that aims to help them have positive experiences with food and learn mealtime routines and cues while decreasing resistance to touching, tasting and swallowing food. Delivered during school terms.
Social Skills
A short term program to develop children’s functional abilities in the area of social skills including turn-taking and sharing, play, social communication and friendship.
Learn to Play Therapy
Learn to Play focusses on pretend play as this is the most complex and mature form of play. Pretend play also impacts on language (particularly narrative language), social interaction, and emotional integration of the child’s experiences. The play skills that are the focus of Learn to Play Therapy are: ability to spontaneously self-initiate play, sequencing play actions logically, using objects as something else (object substitution or symbols in play), engaging with a doll or teddy character outside of themselves, integrating their play so a clear play script is evident, role play and socially interacting using play.
Learn to Play Therapy is offered as a group program and as individual therapy. Parent Coaching is also available.
GROUP PROGRAMS for school-aged children
Autism Queensland Rockhampton provides specialist programs for school-aged children on the autism spectrum living in Rockhampton, Emerald and surrounding areas.
To register your interest in any of our services or programs, please complete the expression of interest form below.
LEGO® Club
Lego is often a motivating activity for children and is used as a tool to teach social and communication skills in this 10 week, small group program for children aged 7-12 years. Children who do not have a diagnosis but have challenges with social and communications skills are welcome to attend this group.
Cool Conversations
A short-term program for children aged 8-12 & 13-16 to help with conversation and social skills. Available during school holidays, sessions run for two hours each day for a week-long program.
Food School
A program for children aged 8-10 years with ASD that aims to help them have positive experiences with food and learn mealtime routines and cues while decreasing resistance to touching, tasting and swallowing food. Delivered during school terms.
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.
COOL KIDS ANXIETY PROGRAM
A 10-week program that teaches children (7-11 & 12-17 years) and their parents how to better manage their child’s anxiety. The program 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 program 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 program has been translated into a number of languages and today is used in clinics, schools and hospitals around the world.
Make a Meal of It: Teens in the Kitchen
Make a Meal of It: Teens in the Kitchen is a four-day program for adolescents (13-17 years) that aims to prepare young people for the journey to adulthood through activities including cooking, budgeting, shopping and social participation. Participants will be grouped according to their ability.
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 online interactive program, adolescents will learn important social skills and are given the opportunity to practice these skills in session during socialisation activities (e.g. playing board games).
