Safe social connection groups for autistic women

An exciting new Autism Queensland (AQ) project addressing barriers and building meaningful, lasting social connections for autistic women (18+) living in Queensland is seeking new participants.

Connections4Women groups officially commenced in March 2025, with a mix of weekly, fortnightly, and monthly groups running in Brisbane, Gladstone, Toowoomba and online. Facilitated with lived experience at the core, the groups provide a safe space for members to connect and collaborate with like-minded people and aim to create a sense of belonging for participants within the community.

Continuous co-design within the project is crucial in ensuring it remains aligned with the needs of the community. This has included, but is not limited to, consultations with each participant to identify the best forms of communication, developing workbooks co-designed with participants, and participant-led discussions.

AQ is privileged to facilitate the Connections4Women groups, and the project team are quickly seeing the power of peer support, with one participant describing the experience as life changing to know she wasn’t alone and there were other women like her, and who can support each other. Many of the women have identified the importance of connecting with other women who ‘get them’ and having a space where they don’t feel judged. Conversations have been robust, powerful, emotional, and celebratory.

AQ is excited to continue to deliver these groups across the state. If you or anyone you know is interested in joining the groups, there are spaces available in the next cycle. You can register your interest at the button below.

Groups are open to people aged 18 years and over who identify as an autistic woman and live in Queensland.

This project is supported by funding from the Australian Government Department of Health, Disability and Ageing.