Empower Autism

Call Directions Website Contact the organization

Empower Autism Welcome to the Empower Autism community! Welcome to Empower Autism!

We are an Autistic-led not-for-profit organisation, working to empower Autistic people in SE Queensland and beyond.

🧡 Peer Groups, Self-Advocacy, Employment Mentoring
💙 Centering Autistic experiences and voices Empower Autism (Empower) is a well-established, not-for-profit organisation that provides information, support and capacity development services to autistic people, together with their parents, carers and families. We are strong advocates of the benefits of peer led support and we value the active participation of those with lived experience of autism. We’ve grown from a volunteer-based organisation, established in 1994 by parents of children diagnosed with Autism. Today we have a team of 6 dedicated staff and approximately 40 volunteers who generously donate their time, experience and passion in assisting to run our programs and services. We believe that society thrives when diverse individuals, experiences, perspectives, and cultures are welcomed and celebrated. We envision a world where autistic people fully participate, contribute and succeed to their fullest potential with confidence and self-belief. We are committed to act with purpose and intention to:

• Champion diversity by building a community of board directors, staff and volunteers who are as diverse as the community we serve.
• Encourage open, transparent dialogue among diverse voices and perspectives to shape our services, programs, and workplace culture.
• Commit to inclusiveness of lived experience in all program design and development.
• Empower and support autistic people to improve their employment outcomes and social connectedness.
• Collaborate with employers to create a mutually supportive workplace. We will strive to continually celebrate and cultivate a diverse community, while working to enable positive social change for and with autistic people through programs based on inclusiveness, self-development, and self-advocacy.

Last week, our AdvocatED team had the pleasure of delivering a professional development session to staff at Griffith Uni...
20/10/2026

Last week, our AdvocatED team had the pleasure of delivering a professional development session to staff at Griffith University , on empowering neurodivergent student experiences.

This session was part of our holistic approach to neuro-inclusion and self-advocacy in tertiary education settings.

While student workshops form the centre of our AdvocatED Self-Advocacy program, staff sessions like this one remain an incredibly important part of our holistic approach to supporting the journeys of neurodivergent tertiary students.

Because building a neuroinclusive tertiary education space is not a one-way street!

It was amazing to see so many staff in attendance, (so many so that we had to open a second room!) and to see just how enthusiastic and engaged those who attended were.

Thank you to all the Griffith staff who attended the session, asked questions and offered suggestions to support each other and their students. Let’s continue to build a more inclusive Griffith community together. 🙌🙌

How inclusive is sport in your community, and what needs to change?The Empower project is the first Queensland Governmen...
05/10/2026

How inclusive is sport in your community, and what needs to change?

The Empower project is the first Queensland Government funded 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games Legacy Project. Co-designed with people with disability, the project is building a long-term data collection framework to understand how, where and why Queenslanders with disability do or don’t take part in sport and physical activity.

Your experience will help:

- Identify barriers such as access, cost, transport, confidence or information
-Inform funding, policy and program design
- Strengthen inclusive sport pathways, from grassroots to elite sport
- Contribute to a lasting legacy for the 2032 Games and beyond

Take part in the survey by clicking the following link: https://bit.ly/EmpowerSurvey2026

The Empower Legacy Project is proudly supported by the Queensland Government and Queenslanders with Disability Network

When someone you care about encounters challenges at university or TAFE, it can be natural to want to jump in and try to...
01/10/2026

When someone you care about encounters challenges at university or TAFE, it can be natural to want to jump in and try to fix the problem for them.

However, tertiary education is a journey of growth and self-discovery. As your loved one builds confidence and independence, your role as a supporter might evolve from guiding the journey to walking beside them.

It might feel a little uncomfortable, but shifting roles from protector or planner, to someone who is close but not steering, can empower your loved one to build self-trust, learn through experiences and rise in their own time and on their own terms.

In our recent AdvocatED supporter webinar, we recently discussed ways to walk beside your neurodivergent student as a supporter or loved one.

Click the link below to watch the webinar in full: https://youtu.be/V7cClc_rINA?si=FmnPl69NhNTt6nmZ

It was amazing to attend the second annual Neurodivergence Wellbeing Conference on the Gold Coast this week. On the op...
29/09/2026

It was amazing to attend the second annual Neurodivergence Wellbeing Conference on the Gold Coast this week.


On the opening day, Michael Coles and Dr Aida Hurem talked about the importance of lived experience and research during their presentation, “From Participation to Belonging: Bridging Research and Community to Support Autistic Wellbeing and Dignity.”

Their presentation was a great opportunity to share what we do at Empower Autism and connect with other brilliant neurodivergent minds in this space.

As always, at Empower Autism, we are passionate about developing genuine inclusive practices that support neurodivergent peoples’ empowerment and wellbeing. We are looking forward to continuing to collaborate with our community and industry partners to keep pursuing this goal.

Do you know how to support someone during an Autistic meltdown? Meltdowns are a core part of many Autistic people’s expe...
24/09/2026

Do you know how to support someone during an Autistic meltdown?

Meltdowns are a core part of many Autistic people’s experiences, so knowing how to support others through them can make a big difference in the lives of those around us.

While this guide is in no way a substitute for listening to the actual Autistic individuals in your life, it’s a good place to get started.

To support someone during a meltdown, we must first understand what they are, address the stigmas surrounding them and approach those experiencing them with patience, calmness and compassion.

If you experience Autistic meltdowns, what’s something you wish others knew about your experience, or one thing that helps you feel supported? Do you know how to support someone during an Autistic meltdown?



Meltdowns are a core part of many Autistic people’s experiences, so knowing how to support others through them can make a big difference in the lives of those around us.



While this guide is in no way a substitute for listening to the actual Autistic individuals in your life, it’s a good place to get started.



To support someone during a meltdown, we must first understand what they are, address the stigmas surrounding them and approach those experiencing them with patience, calmness and compassion.





If you experience Autistic meltdowns, what’s something you wish others knew about your experience, or one thing that helps you feel supported? 🙋🙋

Are you supporting a neurodivergent person attending uni or TAFE? 🎓🔨🎨Last month, we hosted a free introductory webinar f...
22/09/2026

Are you supporting a neurodivergent person attending uni or TAFE? 🎓🔨🎨

Last month, we hosted a free introductory webinar for family, friends and supporters of students attending our AdvocatED program. The webinar is now available on our YouTube channel.

Tertiary education settings, whether university or TAFE, operate very differently to schools. As a supporter of a neurodivergent student navigating these spaces, the way in which you engage with and empower them might change.

In our AdvocatED supporter webinar, facilitator Libby Salles provides a brief outline of the tools and insights covered in the Self-Advocacy student program, while also sharing strategies that you can use to support your loved one during their education journey.

Click the link below to watch the webinar in full: https://youtu.be/V7cClc_rINA?si=FmnPl69NhNTt6nmZ

If in doubt? Dungeons & Dragons ✨✨ Kaiya and Miah’s message in our latest episode of Skipping the Small Talk is clear......
15/09/2026

If in doubt? Dungeons & Dragons ✨✨

Kaiya and Miah’s message in our latest episode of Skipping the Small Talk is clear...

Entering the adult world can be daunting and there’s no right or wrong way to do it! But if you’re unsure about the next step to take, Dungeons & Dragons has your back.

This R U OK Day, we’re thinking about how the language we use to ask others, “R U OK?” often shapes the conversations th...
10/09/2026

This R U OK Day, we’re thinking about how the language we use to ask others, “R U OK?” often shapes the conversations that follow.



Don’t get us wrong – we love R U OK Day and the message behind it!

But it’s important to remember that “R U OK?” isn’t always the most appropriate way to open these kinds of conversations and support the wellbeing of those around us.



Often, the best way to open dialogues about mental health will change; depending on the individual, your relationship to them and the situation at hand. For many Autistic people, opening phrases that are more direct and invite collaborative conversation can build trust and lead to more meaningful discussions.

Just because others are doing it, doesn’t mean you have to as well. In our “Becoming an Adult” episode of Skipping the ...
07/09/2026

Just because others are doing it, doesn’t mean you have to as well.



In our “Becoming an Adult” episode of Skipping the Small Talk, Miah and Kaiya remind us that it’s ok to move through the world at your own pace, and make the decisions that are right for you.



🔗 Watch the full episode now, on YouTube or Spotify: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jaWyudqFC98

Address

Unit 6B/87 Webster Road
Stafford, QLD
4053

Opening Hours

Monday 9am - 4pm
Tuesday 9am - 4pm
Wednesday 9am - 4pm
Thursday 9am - 4pm
Friday 9am - 4pm

Telephone

+61738652911

Website

Alerts

Be the first to know and let us send you an email when Empower Autism posts news and promotions. Your email address will not be used for any other purpose, and you can unsubscribe at any time.

Contact The Organization

Send a message to Empower Autism:

Shortcuts

Share