Autism learning & development opportunities
Autism Queensland (AQ) delivers autism-specific workshops and webinars online and face-to-face, supporting autistic and neurodivergent people, their families, and the people, professionals, and organisations supporting them.
Practical, evidence-informed learning designed for a range of audiences
Our workshops and webinars offer practical, accessible learning grounded in current research and evidence-informed practice. Sessions are co-designed with autistic people and informed by the expertise of autism specialists, with opportunities to ask questions, share perspectives and discuss practical applications. Our approach is guided by the following principles:
- Evidence-informed practice: We bring together high-quality research, professional expertise, and the values, strengths and preferences of autistic people and their families.
- Strengths-focused approaches: We recognise and build on individual strengths to support growth, autonomy, decision-making and self-advocacy.
- Respectful, neurodiversity-affirming practice: We recognise that people experience and interact with the world in different ways. Our sessions promote understanding, respect and inclusion, supporting the right of every person to belong and participate meaningfully.
- Safe and welcoming learning environments: We aim to create respectful, inclusive spaces where participants feel welcome to ask questions, share perspectives and learn.
- Co-designed with autistic people: Lived experience helps inform our learning content and approaches.
Please note: All sessions are subject to change and bookings are not confirmed until full payment is received. NDIS funding can no longer be used to pay for sessions. Cancellation policy and booking conditions apply, visit our policy page for full details.
Upcoming autism sessions
Our workshops and webinars cover a wide range of autism-related topics, from understanding autism and neurodiversity to communication, sensory differences, emotional regulation, relationships, and practical strategies for everyday life. Content varies per session and is tailored to suit a range of audiences:
- Autistic and neurodivergent people, their parents, carers, and family members.
- Allied health professionals (e.g. therapists, mental health practitioners and organisations, general practitioners etc).
- Education professionals (e.g. early childhood educators, teachers, teacher aides, school staff etc).
- Outside school hours care (OSHC) and vacation care staff.
- Disability and community support professionals (e.g lifestyle support workers, social workers, disability consultants etc).
- Employers, managers, organisations, and community groups.
- Others who work with or support autistic people of all ages and members of the community wanting to learn more about autism.
On-demand webinars for kindergartens (fully-funded)
AQ’s fully-funded Kindergarten Inclusion Service is available to approved Queensland kindergartens (including state-delivered kindergartens). The service supports kindergarten educators and staff to create inclusive learning environments for autistic and neurodivergent children through evidence-informed professional learning, practical resources, and on-demand support via webinars and a dedicated support phoneline.
Fully-funded, interactive webinars are available to support kindergarten teams and each webinar includes additional resources to help educators put their learning into practice (webinar topics include: visual supports, group times, partnering with families, and transitions supports).
To learn more about these supports, contact us.
This service is proudly funded and supported by:
Positive Behaviour Guidance sessions for educators (fully-funded)
AQ’s fully-funded Positive Behaviour Guidance (PBG) service is part of the Queensland Government’s Early Childhood Guidance Program. The service supports early childhood educators and staff to build their knowledge, skills and confidence in using proactive, respectful and inclusive strategies to guide children’s behaviour.
Our interactive, evidence-informed workshops provide practical strategies to support children’s regulation, understand the needs underlying behaviour, build positive relationships and create safe, inclusive learning environments. Additionally, educators can access specialist consultant coaching and support, resources, and a dedicated support phoneline.
To learn more about these supports, contact us.
This service is proudly funded and supported by:
Bespoke specialised learning & training
Our professional learning team can also deliver bespoke packages and workshops at your workplace, school or chosen venue, either online or in person. Sessions can be tailored to your audience, needs and learning objectives, providing opportunities to explore the complexities of autism and develop practical, strengths-focused strategies that can be applied in everyday settings.
For additional support with implementing strategies, individual follow-up sessions with an experienced facilitator or coach may also be available. To learn more about these supports, contact us.
Please note: Fees apply for this service. Service availability and offerings vary by location and waitlists may apply. Not all supports are available online via telepractice. Cancellation policy and conditions apply, visit our policy page for full details.
Past autism learning & training projects
Autism Queensland has delivered a range of collaborative initiatives, bespoke consultancy engagements, and funded projects in partnership with government, research institutions, community organisations, businesses, and other stakeholders. While these projects have now concluded, their impact continues through the knowledge, resources, and outcomes they have helped create. They reflect our commitment to meaningful collaboration, sharing knowledge, and driving lasting, positive change to empower autistic people to reach their potential.
Autism + Mental Health Project (2020-2026)
Commencing in 2020, the Autism + Mental Health project ran for six (6) years, supporting better mental health care for autistic people across Queensland. During this time the AQ delivered fully-funded workshops to over 3000+ mental health practitioners across the state, helping strengthen understanding and support for autistic people in community mental health settings.
This project concluded in 2026.
While the standalone project has ended, AQ continues to provide learning opportunities, professional development, and bespoke training packages for mental health professionals and organisations. For more information about this project or current AQ services, please contact us.
This project received funding from the Australian Government Department of Health, Disability and Ageing.
Scouts Queensland Collaboration (2022-2024)
Though partnerships and collaboration have existed longer, commencing 2022 AQ delivered a project focused on equipping volunteer Scout Leaders with practical knowledge, strategies, and resources to better understand and support neurodivergent youth across Queensland scouting. This included free workshops, co-designed resources, and the exploration of inclusive design solutions and practices.
This collaboration concluded in 2024.
While the collaboration has ended, AQ continues to provide learning opportunities, inclusion consultancy services, and bespoke training packages for community organisations. For more information about this collaboration or current AQ services, please contact us.
This collaboration received funding from the Australian Government Department of Social Services.
Early Days Project (2008-2022)
Originally funded as a central pillar of the federal Helping Children With Autism (HWCA) project in 2008 and delivered by state autism bodies across Australia, the Early Days program supported parents and family members of young autistic children (aged 0–6) to better understand autism and support their child’s development. Over the years, AQ delivered free, interactive, face-to-face workshops and webinars, providing families with practical information, guidance, and strategies.
This project concluded in 2022.
While the standalone project has ended, AQ continues to provide parent education and capacity-building support through its early childhood services and learning opportunities, alongside inclusion consultancy services and bespoke training packages for early childhood providers and organisations. For more information about this project or current AQ services, please contact us.
This project received funding from the Australian Government Department of Families, Housing, Community Services and Indigenous Affairs.
National Indigenous Programs (2012-2021)
Commencing in 2012, AQ’s National Indigenous Programs evolved to improve autism awareness, understanding, and access to disability supports for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, families and communities across Australia. Building on the work of the original Early Intervention Indigenous Liaison Officer (EI ILO) program, AQ expanded its reach through two additional initiatives: Steppin’ Up, Steppin’ Out (SUSO) and Yarning Autism.
The programs provided culturally responsive information, fully-funded community workshops and collaboration sessions, individual and family support, and connections to relevant services and support pathways. Activities focused on building understanding of autism, navigating the NDIS, supporting goal setting and planning, and strengthening the capacity of families, service providers, and communities to create more inclusive opportunities for autistic people.
Across the three initiatives, AQ supported Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people and communities in Queensland metropolitan, regional, and remote locations, with additional outreach across the Northern Territory and New South Wales.
The SUSO and Yarning Autism initiatives concluded in 2020 and the EI ILO initiative concluded in 2021.
While these initiatives have ended, AQ continues to welcome opportunities to work alongside Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander families and communities, providing parent education and capacity-building support through its early childhood services and learning opportunities, alongside inclusion consultancy services and bespoke training packages for early childhood providers and organisations. For more information about these initiatives or current AQ services, please contact us.
The EI ILO initiative received funding from the Australian Government Department of Social Services.
The SUSO and Yarning Autism initiative received funding through the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) Information, Linkages, and Capacity Building (ILC) program.
