The Luke Priddis Foundation (LPF) is a charitable organisation established, in 2006, by

rugby league Rugby league football, commonly known as just rugby league and sometimes football, footy, rugby or league, is a full-contact sport played by two teams of thirteen players on a rectangular field measuring 68 metres (75 yards) wide and 112 ...

player

Luke Priddis Luke Priddis (born 14 April 1977) is an Australian former professional rugby league footballer. An Australia national rugby league team, Australian international and New South Wales rugby league team, New South Wales State of Origin series, Sta ...

, to help "maximise the services and opportunities available to Autistic and special needs children" and their families in the greater

Sydney Sydney ( ) is the capital city of the state of New South Wales, and the most populous city in both Australia and Oceania. Located on Australia's east coast, the metropolis surrounds Sydney Harbour and extends about towards the Blue Mountain ...

region.

History

The LPF was founded in 2006 after Luke's son, Cooper, was diagnosed with ASD. "The Luke Priddis Foundation... established in 2006 after his son Cooper was diagnosed with severe autism spectrum disorder (ASD)." When Luke and his wife, Holly, noticed the lack of services in the western

region,"Through searching for appropriate intervention programs, it was found that there was a lack of services in the Western Sydney area." they started the LPF to support the current services and to begin their own. To finance these actions, the LPF hosts various community functions, receives sponsorship, and accepts donations.

Activities

The LPF is currently involved in:"The Luke Priddis Foundation is also at an exciting stage. As well as the educational seminars that we are already providing, we are also in the process of rolling out a network of ASD specific Play Groups and planned support groups,” Priddis added. “We are also looking to implement other programs and services we have in the pipeline when funding becomes available." * ASD related workshops * Forums and seminars, for both laypersons and professionals * PlayConnect and Mytime Playgroups for children with ASD and ASD like symptoms * ASD

awareness Awareness is the state of being conscious of something. More specifically, it is the ability to directly know and perceive, to feel, or to be cognizant of events. Another definition describes it as a state wherein a subject is aware of some inform ...

events, including the annual Walk for Autism * Lobbying the

Australian Government The Australian Government, also known as the Commonwealth Government, is the national government of Australia, a federal parliamentary constitutional monarchy. Like other Westminster-style systems of government, the Australian Government i ...

for increased support for families with children with ASD * Supporting ASD early intervention providers

References

External links

Luke Priddis Foundation website
{{Autism resources Autism-related organizations 2006 establishments in Australia Organizations established in 2006 Mental health organisations in Australia Disability organisations based in Australia Foundations based in Australia Medical and health foundations