Welcome to Luke Priddis Foundation

About the Foundation

Luke and Holly Priddis started the Luke Priddis Foundation in 2006 after their third child, Cooper, was diagnosed with Autism.

“As parents of a child with ASD, we understand the combination of frustration, grief and joy felt by every parent of a child with special needs, especially when it comes to accessing early intervention services for our children. There are very few services that cater specifically for children with ASD.” (Luke Priddis)

For the thousands of children in Australia with ASD, early intervention services are vital. These services help our kids learn the simple things that most parents are able to take for granted such as, how to talk, read, write, draw, and even how to play with other children. These skills then give them a better chance at independence as they grow up.

Simply, the Foundation aims to improve the lives of children with ASD. Through our own experiences and through talking to other parents with children who have been diagnosed with ASD, we decided the best way to support these kids was through early intervention education and community awareness and education.

Each year, the Foundation holds various events, including our annual ‘Fitness for Autism’, to promote understanding of ASD in the community. We also hold workshops and seminars to help educate parents and professionals, such as doctors, nurses and teachers, who work with children with ASD.

The foundation has established support groups for children with ASD and their families. These support groups enable families to come together in an informal setting to relax, share stories and to attend group therapy sessions and talk with other families who understand their situation.

Our long term aim is to establish an ASD Early Intervention Centre of Excellence. Our centre will offer ASD specific education to preschool aged children with ASD, helping them to gain the skills that will allow them to develop to their full potential.

For the thousands of children in Australia with Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD), early intervention services are vital.

 

These services help our kids learn vital skills like how to talk, read, write, draw and even how to play with other children. These skills give them a better chance at independence as they grow up.

Simply, the Foundation aims to improve the lives of children with ASD.

Founded in 2006, we have served our local community and our community has gotten behind us. With their support we opened our LPF Centre for Autism in 2017, which offers a multidisciplinary approach to intervention without them. We have continued to expand our offerings to include services for teens and young adults.  

At the Luke Priddis Foundation

• We are not here to change people – They are perfect as they are…
• We are trying to fix anyone – They are not Broken ….
• We are simply here to help find the information, skills and support that those living with Autism need to find their place…

People with Autism, their parents/carers and siblings have higher rates of anxiety and depression than in the general population.

You are not alone. There is help here if you need it.

Our Mission

To deliver a range complimentary health, welfare and educational services within a safe and respectful environment for individuals with autism, their families, carers and the professionals who support them.

To implement early intervention programs that empower children and values parents – allowing each to reach their full potential through acceptance, education, and inclusion.

“The Centre for Autism” paves the way to lifelong individualised therapies & support, delivered with compassion and purpose.

To establish Community Service Networks and strategic alliances that are aligned with our core values.

Our Values

Foundation activities and decisions will reflect our core values: Respect, Excellence, Compassion, Innovation, Integrity and Teamwork.

Respect – a commitment to treat all staff, clients, business associates and community with reverence and regard.

Excellence – to apply speed and simplicity to achieve our goals whilst pursuing an unrelenting quest for distinction.

Compassion – to take a wholesome, sensitive and compassionate approach to all.

 

Innovation – create opportunity for advances. Consider life improvements in a practical, innovative and environmentally responsible manner.

Integrity – striving for the highest level of performance by displaying strong ethics, accountability and governance.

 

 We cannot wait to spend the day on the green with you at Twin Creeks Golf and Country Club in Luddenham.  The day is a fun community event where teams of four play 4 Ball Ambrose with breakfast and lunch included.  There are games on the green, a sausage sizzle and drinks brought to you at the holes.  Lunch is two courses alternate plate while we hear about kids and teens living with ASD and auction some great items.

This event is a popular day amongst small businesses and community members who want to let their hair down and make a difference in the process.

 

 

Our Services

Luke Priddis Foundation provides three key services.

• Individual therapies in Speech Therapy, Psychology and Occupational Therapy for children and teens with Autism.
• Groups for all ages starting at 3 all the way to adults. These groups achieve multiple outcomes across multiple therapy disciplines and social skills.
• Raises awareness and creates acceptance for people with Autism within our community through projects and raising funds for projects.

You can access our services if you are caring for a child with Autism at any age.  You can directly fund this yourself or seek the support of the National Disability Insurance Scheme run by the Government organisation called The National Disability Insurance Agency.

What is the NDIS?

The NDIS is Australia’s first national scheme for people with disability.  It moves away from the previous system of providing block funding to agencies and community organisations, to give funding directly to people with a disability.

There are about 4.3 million Australians who have a disability. Within the next five years, the NDIS will provide more than $22 billion in funding a year to
an estimated 500,000 Australians who have permanent and significant disability. For many people, it will be the first time they receive the disability
supports and services they need.

The NDIS also provides people with disability, including those not eligible for funding, with information and connections to services in their communities.

 

                                                                                                 

This includes connections to doctors, sporting clubs, support groups, libraries and schools, as well as providing information about what support is provided by
each state and territory government.

NDIS – What does it mean?
N – National – The NDIS is available across Australia.
D – Disability – The NDIS provides support to eligible people with intellectual, physical, sensory, cognitive and psychosocial disability. Early intervention supports can also be provided for eligible people with disability or children with developmental delay.
I – Insurance – The NDIS gives Australians peace of mind that if they, their child or loved one is born with, or acquires a permanent and significant disability, they will get the support they need.
S – Scheme – The NDIS is designed to help people get the support they need so their skills and independence improve over time. The NDIS is not a welfare system.

 

 

What does the NDIS do?

 

The NDIS provides reasonable and necessary funding to people with a permanent and significant disability to access the supports and services they need to live and enjoy their life. Every NDIS participant has an individual plan that lists their goals and funding.  NDIS participants use their funding to purchase supports and services to help them achieve their goals. Everyone has different goals. Goals might include things like volunteering, getting and keeping a job, making friends or participating in a local community activity. NDIS participants and their
nominee or third party decision makers control the support they receive, when they receive it and who provides it.

The NDIS cannot fund a support that is:
• the responsibility of another government system or community service
• not related to a person’s disability.

Support communities to include all Australians with disability.

People who are not eligible for the NDIS can still get help to access community and other government services. The NDIS can provide information and help connect people with disability, their families and carers to community and other government services. For many people, this will be all the support they need.

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                             

Who is helping deliver the NDIS?

The National Disability Insurance Agency
The National Disability Insurance Agency (NDIA) is the independent government organisation that runs the NDIS.  The NDIA makes decisions about whether someone is eligible to become an NDIS participant and, if so, how much funding they receive.  These decisions are based on legislation called the National Disability Insurance Scheme Act 2013 which sets out:
• the eligibility requirements every NDIS participant must meet
• what supports and services are considered reasonable and necessary for the NDIS to fund.

Partners in the Community

Partners in the Community are community-based organisations working with the NDIA to deliver the NDIS. These partners provide Early Childhood Early Intervention (ECEI) or Local Area Coordination; some organisations provide both.

For more information on eligibility and how to apply please go to link below.

https://www.ndis.gov.au/