AQ Sunnybank Hills
Autism Queensland has been based at Sunnybank Hills since 1967. Our specialist therapy and teaching team deliver services for people on the autism spectrum living on Brisbane's southside, the southern bayside areas, west Brisbane, Scenic Rim, Ipswich, Toowoomba and the Gold Coast. They also support people living in other areas of the state that fall outside the catchment areas of AQ's Brisbane and regional centres.
Services include:
- Allied Health & Diagnostic Assessment Services (all ages)
- Autism Queensland School
- Behaviour Support Services (all ages)
- EarlyAQtion Kindi
- Groups for Young Children – (0-7 years)
- Groups for Older Children and Adolescents (7-17 years)
- Groups for Adults
- Individual Therapy (all ages)
- Professional Development & Parent Education
- School Advisory Service
- Support Coordination Services
- Vacation Care
Autism Queensland is a registered provider of NDIS supports.
EarlyAQtion Early Childhood Services
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.
EarlyAQtion Kindi 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 EarlyAQtion 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 your young child on the autism spectrum.
- Recognises parents are crucial members of the team who will help your child achieve success.
- Uses your 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 all behaviours.
For more information about accessing a place for your child, fees, NDIS funding, and other EarlyAQtion services 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.
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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 & program assistants, 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.
If you are interested in having your child participate in any of the following groups, please follow the link below to access a service request form.
Food School
This nine-week group follows the principles of the Sequential Oral Sensory (SOS) Approach to Feeding to help children (0-6 years) 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 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.
Fun, Friends & Feelings
A four-day, small group delivered during school holidays for children aged 4–7 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.
Happy Hands Group
A group to develop the handwriting and fine motor skills of young children (3-7 years) on the autism spectrum.
Lego® Club
A six-week group designed to help children on the spectrum aged 5-7 years 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 Holiday Group
A five-day version of the above group that runs during school holidays.
Preparation Station
PREParation Station supports children and their parents to transition to mainstream Prep. Children have the opportunity to participate in a group education setting and build pre-academic skills such as 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.
Groups for Children & Adolescents (7-17 years)
These groups 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 these groups please complete the service request form below.
Allies & Adventures Holiday Group
A school holiday version of this popular role-playing game-based group (RPG) tailored for 13-17 year olds using the tabletop game Dungeons & Dragons. The group supports participants to build friendships and social skills in a safe, structured, and supportive environment. They are supported by experienced mentors to practice their social and communication skills while enjoying role-playing sessions. Participants will learn to work as a team to form plans and problem-solve, engage in conversations, and above all, have an enjoyable time with their fellow role players.
B-Me
Individuals on the autism spectrum aged 13-17 are invited to join our autism specialists & mentors for five days of self-discovery and learning. Each participant will be supported to identify key goals they wish to work on and achieve across the five days.
Participants will have the opportunity to:
– Learn how to express themselves through makeup and clothing
– Choose the right outfit for different events (eg what to wear to your
school formal vs a job interview)
– Meet new friends and practice conversation skills
– Identify their strengths and abilities
– Explore areas of interest.
Holiday Hangout
The Holiday Hangout is a group to support your child develop their skills and confidence in having conversations with peers within fun, motivating, and meaningful activities.
Participants will have the opportunity to work together over five days to practise a range of skills including having conversations, being part of a team, planning, and negotiating.
This group is facilitated by our therapists and teachers who will support participants to work towards their goals.
For ages 8–12 years and 13–15 years.
Cool Kids Group
A 10-week group that teaches children (6-12 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.
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.
Lego® Club
A six-week group designed to help children on the spectrum aged 8-12 years develop their social engagement skills. This group uses LEGO®, alongside the expertise of an experienced allied health professional, to facilitate and build on your child’s social interactions within a structured small group. Children work collaboratively in groups of three, following assigned roles to complete LEGO® sets.
Lego® Club Holiday Group
A five-day intensive version of the above group that runs during school holidays.
Make a Meal of It: Teens in the Kitchen
This facilitated group is designed to help teens develop independence and build on their daily living skills through activities including cooking, budgeting, shopping and social participation.
Movie Club
Movie Club is for children and teenagers (12-14 years & 15-17 years) who enjoy movies and would benefit from practising their social skills in a small group setting. The group provides a friendly and supportive environment in which participants will enjoy movies together and then join in group discussions and activities. Group goals include: making and keeping friends, social interactions, coping with feelings and emotions and understanding the perspectives of others. Bean bags and popcorn included!
On-The-GO
On-The-GO is for individuals interested in learning more about train, taxi, bus travel and more, or would like to start using public transport. Participants will have lots of opportunities to use public transport with support from our staff. Participants will learn about public transport etiquette and safety, how to plan a journey, back up plans and how to plan for the unexpected.
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 are supported to make use of strategies in between group sessions through weekly parent group sessions, and resources will be included to support the transition of strategies to school and home.
Teen Tech Shed
Tech Shed is a 10-week group for teenagers on the spectrum aged 13-17 years that encourages appropriate socialising around technology while helping them to extend their knowledge of programming, coding and digital media. Sessions are facilitated in a safe and nurturing environment moderated by group mentors who are current students or recent graduates in Creative Industries programs.
