Early education provider enters administration and closes centres leaving families and staff stranded
Hundreds of families have been left without answers after a specialist early education provider for children with autism announced it was entering administration and closing all centers indefinitely.
AEIOU Foundation has been running early intervention programs and training for autistic children up to the age of six since 2005, with centers in Brisbane and Queensland and more than 200 employees.
One update released Speaking to the charity’s website on Wednesday, chief executive Mark Algie said the “difficult decision” to appoint external directors had been taken following “a period of ongoing financial pressure across the disability sector”.
“Like many providers, AEIOU has experienced rising costs, workforce challenges, and significant changes in the funding environment that supports disability services,” Algie wrote.
“The board and leadership team have implemented a number of measures to strengthen the sustainability of the organization… [including] operational restructuring, cost management initiatives, and efforts to adapt the organization to the changing operating environment.
“Despite these efforts, the board determined that entering into administration was the most responsible course of action that would allow for an independent review of the organisation’s financial position and an assessment of the possible path forward.”
Brisbane mum Tia Jayde’s four-year-old son has stage three autism and started training at AEIOU’s Logan center in January after a long battle to secure NDIS funding.
“This is one of the few places in Queensland that does its job,” Jayde said.
“It was completely wordless [before he started] … now he says ‘mama’, understands everything and wants to play with other children.”
Jayde received an email at around 1.30pm on Wednesday informing her that the trust had gone into administration and the centers would be closed.
He said staff were upset when his partner picked up his son about an hour later.
“They had no idea,” he said.
“He said almost all of them were just crying and saying goodbye and running around to get their things ready.”
Jayde spoke to a staff member on the phone; He said they were told to turn in their keys that afternoon and that they no longer had a job.
“It’s so sad… he’s thriving there. We’re lost now, there’s no guidance.” [on where to go]he said.
Shontel Arthur’s son (also four years old, with stage three autism) also started training at AEIOU’s Bald Hills center this year.
“For families like ours, AEIOU is not just child care, it is an intensive early intervention setting where children receive structured therapy and support,” Arthur said.
“The lockdown has left families without clear guidance on what happens next. No transition plan has been provided for children and no practical support has been offered to help families navigate alternative services.
“For autistic children who are so dependent on routine and familiar environments, the sudden loss of this structure is incredibly devastating.”
Arthur said he received a letter from AEIOU and a note about the closure of the centre, but no answers to questions.
“This created tremendous uncertainty about his whereabouts. [our] “From now on, children will go and how they will continue to access the support that helps them make progress,” he said.
