Our core values represent who we are and what is important to us. They embody what we do every day.

• Integrity & Authenticity: We are genuine, honest, and accountable in all that we do.
• Diversity & Inclusion: We respect and celebrate all people and their right to participate and belong.
• Strengths Focus: We strive to support the development of every person’s potential, recognising that a strengths focus enables growth and empowers decision-making and self-advocacy.
• Safety & Wellbeing: We provide and promote safe, respectful, caring, and engaging people and environments that support positive development and relationships.
• Evidence-Informed Practice: We use professional reasoning to bring together current high-quality research evidence and the values, strengths, and preferences of individuals and families to optimise outcomes.

First established as The Autistic Children’s Association of Queensland Inc., the organisation was registered as a charity with the Queensland Government on 1 October 1967. Its first funded initiative was the employment of a part-time occupational therapist, who initially supported just two children.

Over the following decades, the organisation underwent several name changes, becoming Autism Association Queensland Inc. in 1999 and Autism Queensland Inc. in 2002.

Finally, in 2013, it transitioned to a company limited by guarantee, adopting its current legal name, Autism Queensland Limited. Now servicing statewide supports for autistic people of all ages and employing more than 400 staff.

Autism Queensland recognises that language is personal and respects every autistic person’s right to determine how they wish to be described.

Where an individual’s preference is not known, AQ generally uses identity-first language, such as ‘autistic person’, across its resources and communications. Where a different preference is expressed, AQ and its staff aim to use the person’s preferred terminology. Some previously published materials may contain different language and will be updated through ongoing reviews.

In diagnostic, clinical and formal contexts, AQ may use ‘Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD)’, consistent with the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition, Text Revision (DSM-5-TR) and Australia’s National Guideline for diagnosing autism.

AQ acknowledges the importance and value of the reconciliation journey with Traditional Custodians and Owners of all the lands and waters on which we live and work. We acknowledge the wisdom of Elders past and extend our respect for the valuable contributions of Elders present and those emerging leaders who willingly share cultural knowledge. Our teams recognise the significance of connections between country and culture for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples as we walk together toward participation, opportunity, and choice.

AQ’s Reflect Reconciliation Action Plan (RAP) was created in 2023, establishing a foundation for the organisation’s ongoing reconciliation journey. The plan outlined commitments to building meaningful relationships with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and communities, strengthening cultural understanding and respect, and creating opportunities to improve representation and inclusion. Guided by community consultation and collaboration, the plan aimed to embed culturally safe practices across Autism Queensland’s services, workplace and partnerships, supporting more inclusive and culturally responsive outcomes for autistic Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and their families.

One of the drivers in the development was to design a consultative framework to ensure that consideration of cultural needs across all services delivery is informed and guided by Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. We recognise the importance of applying cultural knowledge in every-day practice promotes cultural safety.