AQ Sunnybank Hills
Autism Queensland has been based at Sunnybank Hills since 1967. The specialist therapy and teaching team based here deliver services for individuals on the autism spectrum and their families living on Brisbane's southside as well as 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)
- Groups for Young Children – Intensive (See below)
- Groups for Young Children – Short Term (0-7 years) (See below)
- Individual Therapy (all ages)
- Groups for Children and Adolescents (7-17 years) (See below)
- Groups for Adults
- Professional Development & Parent Education
- School Advisory Service
- Support Coordination Services
- Vacation Care Groups
Autism Queensland is a registered provider of NDIS supports.
AQ Sunnybank Hills
437 Hellawell Road, Sunnybank Hills QLD 4109
Groups for Young Children – Intensive
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.
They 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.
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 FOR YOUNG CHILDREN – SHORT TERM (0-7 years)
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 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.
Places are still available for the following groups:
- Food School
- Fun, Friends & Feelings
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 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.
Locations and dates:
Autism Queensland Sunnybank
- Monday 27 September – Friday 1 October
- 10am – 11:15am
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.
Location and dates:
Autism Queensland Sunnybank
- Monday 27 Sept – Friday 1 October
- 9am – 11:30am
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 intensive version of the above group run during school holidays.
Preparation Station
PREParation Station is a group for children on the autism spectrum and their parents aimed at preparing 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 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.
Places are still available for the following group:
- Lego® Club (8-12 years)
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.
Locations and dates:
The Hub – 141 Merton Rd, Woolloongabba
- Monday 20 September – Friday 24 September
- 1pm – 4pm
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
Previously known as Cool Conversations, 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 and 13 – 15.
Locations and dates:
Autism Queensland Sunnybank
- Monday 27 September – Friday 1 October
- 9:30am – 12pm
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 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 intensive version of the above group run during school holidays.
Location and dates:
Autism Queensland Sunnybank
- Monday 27 September – Friday 1 October
- 3pm – 4:15pm
Make a Meal of It: Teens in the Kitchen
A facilitated group to help teens develop independence and daily living skills through activities including cooking, budgeting, shopping and social participation.
Movie Club
Movie Club is for teenagers on the autism spectrum 12-14 & 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 around social skills. Goals of the group include: making and keeping friends, social interactions, coping with feelings and emotions, understanding the perspectives of others. Bean bags and popcorn included!
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.
Teen Tech Shed
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.
