FEATURE - All About Autism Milestone

This year, All About Autism (AAA) celebrates a decade of supporting neurodivergent children and families on the Sunshine Coast.

by Victoria McGuin

Founded in 2015 by local mum and autism specialist Lizzie Vaughan, AAA began as a small but passionate response to a big gap in community services. A group of local parents encouraged Lizzie to start something new – something autism-specific, strengths-based, and genuinely child-focused. 

What began with just a handful of children in the local Landsborough CWA Hall has now grown into a vital community resource, with children attending from all of the Sunshine Coast. 

“We have supported more than 150 children to date, with over 70 currently enrolled and a full waiting list,” shares Lizzie.

AAA has always been community focused, using local spaces including the Girl Guides Hall and now, their current home is in the historic Old Bank building on Cribb Street, Landsborough. 

“Our beautiful building is quirky and full of charm; welcoming, calming, and far from the clinical feel of many therapy centres,” smiles Lizzie.

“It's a space where children feel safe to be themselves, to explore who they are, and to connect. We’ve weathered many challenges, including the Covid years, and our wonderful team of nine professionals is a strong and positive crew.”

At the heart of All About Autism  is a truly unique program designed specifically for autistic and neurodivergent primary school-aged children. Groups are kept small with just four children per group, supported by a Lead Specialist. Each day, three groups attend for a three or six-hour session, with a support assistant on hand, creating a consistent, supportive environment where kids can thrive.

“Our focus is on real-world skill building: emotional regulation, communication, executive functioning, flexibility, and social understanding,” explains Lizzie.

“Our program, tailored to the kids that attend, helps children to understand their brains, celebrate their strengths, and find strategies that actually work for them. No masking, no pressure to ‘fit in’, just support to feel safe, confident, and capable.

“AAA is a neuro-affirming space. Children are celebrated for who they are. Kids learn that it’s okay to stim, it’s okay to need a break, it’s okay to communicate in your own way. 

“Over the last ten years, we’ve seen the impact of this approach – children who arrive withdrawn or anxious find their voice, their joy, and their confidence. Families tell us time and again that AAA is a lifeline: a place where their children are truly understood, and where parents feel supported and empowered too.

“We are a very unique centre; I don’t know of any others like it in South East Queensland. The kids who attend find their tribe with us.”

In recent years, AAA has expanded its offerings to include allied health services, including a calming counsellor and a highly experienced speech pathologist. These supports extend the neuro-affirming ethos of AAA beyond group work, and offer additional help to both the enrolled families and the wider community.

“As a registered NDIS provider, we’ve worked hard to remain affordable and accessible,” Lizzie says. “But behind the scenes, it’s a constant battle. NDIS funding keeps changing. Families face inconsistent decisions and planners question supports. Recent threats to allied health services under the scheme have made the future even more uncertain.

“Despite this, we remain committed. We know what we do works. It’s evidence-based. It’s person-centred. It builds capacity in the truest sense of the word. But we can’t ignore the toll the system takes on families – and on services like ours that are delivered with heart.”

As the AAA team marks ten years, Lizzie says they are dreaming bigger. 

“One day, we’d love to move into a purpose-built space, designed from the ground up to meet the sensory, emotional, and practical needs of neurodivergent children. A place with even more room to play, learn, move, and grow.

“But the future depends on funding, policy, and continued community support. And while the road ahead may be uncertain, one thing is clear: AAA isn’t going anywhere. We will keep fighting for our kids, for our families, and for a more inclusive world.”