THE Autism Association of WA will have a new home in a state-of-the-art facility in Shenton Park, thanks to support from Lotterywest and the state government.
The new service headquarters and early intervention centre will expand the association’s delivery of services in all areas and enable clinical and training staff to connect with organisations, professionals and families throughout the state, according to AAWA chief Joan McKenna Kerr.
The government and Lotterywest contributed $4 million to the project between them, with the remainder of funds raised through community support.
“Our new service centre will provide the infrastructure to expand services for both children and adults, and will include a state of the art early intervention centre for newly diagnosed children under the age of six years,” Ms McKenna Kerr said.
“It will provide our multi-disciplinary teams with the capacity to work with over 400 pre-school children with autism each year. In addition to the early intervention centre, the new complex will also provide facilities for all of the Autism Association’s community based children and adult services as well as family support programs.
“It will also have a medical consultancy suite for adolescents and adults with complex needs.”
Ms McKenna Kerr said the new facilities would assist clinical and training staff to connect with organisations, professionals and families in regional Western Australia.