Margot Prior Autism Intervention Centre
This exceptional centre provides early supports and care for young Autistic children.
We successfully tendered for the Victorian Autism-Specific Early Learning and Care Centre. The centre is now known as the Margot Prior Autism Intervention Centre at La Trobe University. The Centre opened in 2010 with funding from the federal government as part of the Helping Children with Autism Initiative.
Over 300 Autistic children have attended the Centre since 2010
Approximately 40 children daily participate in an evidence-based early support program called the Early Start Denver Model (ESDM).
The findings from research undertaken at the Centre are incorporated into a cycle of continuous evidence-based improvement. This cycle has been pivotal in the development and implementation of the EDSM providing a solid foundation for the program's effectiveness.
A group version of the EDSM (G-EDSM) was developed within the Centre in partnership with University of California, Davis, and this model has been adopted across 7 early learning centres in metropolitan Melbourne and internationally (e.g. Every Child-US) following specialised training by the team, evidencing significant knowledge translation to end-users. A manual of practice in Group ESDM was published in 2017.
Parent Inquiries
For inquiries about enrolling your child in daycare, please call (+61 3) 9479 2122 or email children@latrobe.edu.au
The Children's Centre is named after the late Professor Margot Prior OAM (1937-2020).
Read the obituary written by Professor Cheryl Dissanayake.
Families enrolled at the Centre or in the community can access our Parent-ESDM coaching supports throughout the year. Families can now access our family information workshops online.
Contact us
For more information, please contact us by:
- Phone: (03) 9479 2122
- Email: early.autism.supports@latrobe.edu.au
Autism Connect is a free, national Autism helpline, providing independent information via phone, email and webchat including diagnosis support.