Emma is a PhD candidate and Research Assistant at Griffith University. She holds a Bachelor of Psychology with Honours and brings both academic knowledge and lived experience to her work. As the parent of an autistic son with complex communication needs, Emma has firsthand experience navigating systems and understanding the diverse support needs of autistic people.

Her research focuses on the identification and diagnosis of depression in autistic adults. Driven by her personal experiences and a desire to improve mental health outcomes, Emma is committed to contributing to better understanding and support within the autistic community.

Damien is a parent who brings firsthand insight into the everyday joys, wonders and challenges of raising an autistic child. Alongside his empathy and lived experience, his business acumen gives him an understanding of the practical realities of service delivery, as well as the policies and guidelines that shape it.

Damien is a passionate advocate for inclusion and recognising and valuing diversity.

Julie is the parent of an autistic teenage daughter who is transgender. Her daughter was non-speaking until the age of eight and has since achieved her goals in high school. Drawing on her family’s experiences, Julie is passionate about helping other families access the supports they need.

Living in rural Queensland, Julie is committed to improving access to supports and services for autistic people and their families in rural communities.

Asteria is a model, author, speaker and passionate diversity advocate based in Ipswich, Queensland. With experience across runways, photoshoots, television and pageants, including her title as Miss Australian 2025, she is on a mission to bring brighter, bolder representation to the fashion, media and entertainment industries.

As a model and content creator, Asteria loves challenging stereotypes, celebrating the beauty of every ability and identity, and opening doors to greater representation. She proudly champions inclusivity, showing that people of all abilities belong centre stage and that everyone’s unique qualities deserve respect, celebration and the opportunity to thrive.

Gilly is a late-diagnosed autistic woman and parent of an autistic child. She is currently completing a PhD at the University of Tasmania, researching the organised physical activity experiences of autistic young people and their families.

Before undertaking her PhD, Gilly completed a Bachelor’s degree in Speech and Language Therapy, as well as Master’s degrees in Disability Studies and Family Studies.

Michelle is a mother of four children, including two neurodivergent children: an AuDHD son and an AuDHD daughter with a PDA (Pathological Demand Avoidance) profile. She is also the wife of a late-diagnosed AuDHD husband. Her experiences navigating education, health and disability systems have shaped her advocacy and informed her decision to pursue psychology.

Living in Far North Queensland on the Atherton Tablelands, Michelle brings insight into accessing services and supports in geographically isolated communities, where access and equity can present unique challenges. She is passionate about inclusion and accessibility, and ensuring neurodivergent individuals’ voices are heard and valued, regardless of location.

Michelle is currently studying psychology at the University of Southern Queensland and has a strong interest in pursuing a research career in inclusive education, with a particular focus on contributing to the Australian evidence base for PDA.

Alexis is a lawyer, mental health advocate, university teacher and writer, with lived experience as a carer. Having grown up in regional Queensland and now living on the Gold Coast, she is passionate about representing and assisting all Queenslanders, regardless of their geographical location.

Stacy is a mum to two autistic children and brings lived experience of the daily joys and challenges of raising neurodivergent children. She offers a practical, family-centred perspective and is committed to ensuring policies and services genuinely reflect the realities families face.

Stacy is a strong advocate for inclusion, equity and meaningful support for children and their families.

Rachelle is an early career autistic researcher and Research Fellow at Griffith University’s Autism Centre of Excellence and Menzies Health Institute. She has contributed to projects commissioned by the Autism CRC, including current work updating the National Guidelines for the Assessment and Diagnosis of Autism in Australia and the National Guideline for Supporting Autistic Children and their Families.

Diagnosed as autistic at 40, Rachelle brings her lived experience as a late-diagnosed woman to the advisory committee, alongside an understanding of the diversity within the autism community. Her perspectives are informed by her research and work with autistic children, their parents and caregivers, early intervention centre staff, teachers, and other autism researchers during her PhD and subsequent work as a Research Fellow.

Lucy grew up in regional Queensland, lived in north Queensland for most of her life, and recently relocated to Brisbane. She has close family members who are autistic, and experience with institutional care.

Lucy has lived a life of complexities and faced challenges while showing resilience and achieving lifelong goals. Her goal is to continue to provide advice and advocate for those who may not be able to do so for themselves. She continues to strive to educate and inform professionals and organisations about the lifelong struggles and challenges experienced by people living in institutional care, out-of-home care and disability care facilities.

Lucy has a Bachelor of Education (Early Childhood) and a Diploma of Community Services (Children Services). She has worked as a service manager, early childhood teacher and with NDIS partner organisations.