In East Flanders, new educational materials and furniture for the regional centers in Tanderuis are making specialized autism support more accessible to 1,600 clients each year, in environments designed to be safe and welcoming.
Tanderuis vzw is an organization based in East Flanders with more than 30 years of expertise in providing mobile and outpatient support to people with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and their families.
Recognized by the VAPH as an accredited care provider, it supports people with autism aged 0 to 65 throughout the province. Its main activity is in-home care, supplemented by a wide range of respite support services for people on the waiting list. Tanderuis is part of Liga Autisme Vlaanderen, a network of provincial autism services in Flanders.
In 2023, Tanderuis reorganized its structure around four regional teams, opening three new regional centers in addition to its headquarters in Melle. These centers expand the organization’s service reach and make support accessible no matter where a client lives in the province. Each year, Tanderuis supports 1,600 clients in all areas of life: emotions, communication, sensory regulation, housing, work, and leisure.
When new centers need the right tools
For a regional center to be truly autism-friendly, the physical environment is just as important as the staff’s expertise. The space must be calm, predictable, and equipped with materials that enable high-quality therapeutic and educational work. When the three new centers in Tanderuis opened their doors, they lacked the specialized educational materials and adapted furniture needed to function as truly autism-friendly environments.
Thanks to a 3,000-euro grant from UFB, Tanderuis was able to purchase a range of essential materials: Duplo dolls and Snoezelen materials to help explore feelings and relationships, program resources such as Griefelen and Impact to develop regulation and communication skills in children and parents, as well as adapted tables and chairs. These materials are now being used in regional centers, ensuring that every client, no matter where they live in East Flanders, receives the same quality of support.
“By providing regional centers tailored to autism, we create an environment where clients feel understood and supported. This lowers the barriers to seeking help and promotes participation in society. These resources make a difference: thanks to them, we can deliver our programs effectively, increasing the chances of social inclusion and well-being for vulnerable families.” — Lieselotte Heirbaut, member of the executive team
Let’s connect those who need support with those who can provide it
Every client deserves to receive support in an environment where they truly feel understood. Thanks to donors like you, Tanderuis can continue to create these environments—closer to home and better equipped than ever before.
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