An innovative ‘dental club’ mock dentist experience designed for autistic children will be featured at the AEIOU Foundation Bundaberg’s open day this month.
Senior Behavioural Analyst Ciann Slevin and Early Intervention Specialist Vatsna Rathore, who is also studying a PhD in Oral Health, created dental club at AEIOU’s Logan centre to help children overcome their fears and prepare for real dentist visits.
“Visiting the dentist can be stressful for most children, but it can be particularly overwhelming for children with sensory sensitivities and other unique needs,” Ms Slevin said.
“We start by introducing the concept of dentists to our children through stories, before gradually moving to the mock clinic scenario.
“Feedback we’ve received from our parents has been positive, with many reporting their children feeling more prepared for real dental appointments.”
This is just one of the many creative and engaging activities being delivered at AEIOU Foundation centres across Australia to help children with autism live their best lives.
The leading autism early intervention service is hosting Open Days on Wednesday August 7, including the Bundaberg centre, and is calling on parents, carers, and those working with young children with autism or developmental concerns to see the ingenuity of each centre for themselves.
Children with autism receive comprehensive therapy, specialist education and care as part of AEIOU’s unique model, where therapists and early childhood educators work together to provide holistic support, tailored to each child’s individual needs and empowering their families in the process.
The program empowers children to gain vital skills, independence, and confidence, while supporting meaningful participation in an early childhood setting.
AEIOU Foundation’s Open Days are free and to register visit aeiou.org.au.
AEIOU Foundation provides integrated therapy, care, and early education for children with autism who are aged between 2-6 years.
Each child receives individualised support from a caring, skilled team of therapists and early educators who work together.
Families receive access to training and support, with regular parent engagement sessions and workshops throughout the year.
AEIOU Foundation is an approved National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) provider and employs a dedicated team to provide families expert support when navigating the early years of a diagnosis.
AEIOU is Australia’s leading specialist in autism-specific early intervention, with 11 centres across Queensland, South Australia and ACT.
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