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:
- EarlyAQtion Kindi
- Groups for Young Children (0-7 years)
- Behaviour Support Services (all ages)
- Groups for Children and Adolescents (7-17 years)
- Individual Therapy (all ages)
- School Advisory Service
The following services are also available:
- 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
EarlyAQtion Early Childhood Services
EarlyAQtion Kindi
EarlyAQtion Kindi supports 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.
These are small group programs, with 4 to 12 children in each group, depending on the needs of the children and centre facilities.
The program is holistic, family-focused and transdisciplinary, with all areas of your child’s life being addressed and with all staff having expertise and input across all areas of functioning.
Staffing varies according to the number and support needs of children in the group:
- There is at least one professional (Occupational Therapist, Teacher or Speech Pathologist) who is the Group Leader (Key Worker).
- Each group has at least two Program Assistants.
- Weekly support from one or more other professionals (Occupational Therapist, Teacher, Psychologist or Speech Pathologist) occurs depending on the support needs of the children in the group.
EarlyAQtion Kindi:
- Recognises the specific needs of young children on the autism spectrum
- Recognises parents are crucial members of the team who will help your child achieve success
- Uses the child’s individual strengths and interests to motivate learning and develop skills
- Teaches your child skills that are meaningful and useful
- Utilises a positive approach to behaviour support that 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.
Please note: Autism Queensland group 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.
NB: A waitlist may apply to some groups.
GROUPS
The following groups are available to families of young children on the autism spectrum living in Mackay, Whitsundays and surrounding areas. They are delivered by members of our multidisciplinary team including teachers & teacher aides, speech pathologists, occupational therapists and psychologists.
Please note: Autism Queensland group 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 these groups please complete the service request form below.
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 group for children aged under 7 years 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.
Happy Hands Group
A group to develop the handwriting and fine motor skills of young children (3-7 years) on the autism spectrum.
Social Skills
A short term group 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 and as individual therapy. Parent Coaching is also available.
B-ME Club
Teenagers on the autism spectrum are invited to join our autism specialists & mentors for four days of self-discovery and learning. Participants will have the opportunity to learn how to express themselves through makeup and clothing, meet new friends, practice conversation skills and explore other areas of interest.
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 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 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.
Food School
A program for children aged 8-10 years 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)
SAS is a fun, espionage themed group program which helps children ages 8-12 to develop the skills to feel happier, calmer, and braver, while also teaching them how to make friends and keep them. SAS Club Cadets will learn these skills through engaging in a fun computer game alongside weekly group sessions with peers, and weekly take home missions to develop their communication and emotional regulation skills.
Parents and Caregivers will be supported to make use of strategies in between group sessions through weekly parent group sessions, and resources will be included to support with the transition of strategies to school and home.
Make a Meal of It: Teens in the Kitchen
Make a Meal of It: Teens in the Kitchen is a four-day group 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 interactive group, 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).
