Connecting & Empowering Women
At Autism Queensland, we know that connection, belonging and being understood can make a meaningful difference in the lives of autistic and neurodivergent women.
Over the years, AQ has delivered a range of Connecting & Empowering Women services and initiatives designed to create opportunities for autistic and neurodivergent women to connect with peers, share experiences, build relationships and have their voices heard.
Finding genuine connection and a sense of belonging can sometimes feel difficult for autistic and neurodivergent women. Experiences of isolation, misunderstanding and barriers to social participation can affect opportunities to build and maintain friendships and relationships.
While the following projects and services have now concluded, the experiences and insights gathered through this work continue to inform AQ’s commitment to creating greater participation, opportunity and choice for autistic people.
If you’d like to learn more about AQ’s services and supports, our Client & Support Services team can provide a complimentary individual consultation to discuss your circumstances and available supports and opportunities. To access this service, please call (07) 3273 0000 or email: [email protected]
Past Connecting Women Services & Projects
Please note funding for these services has now completed and the below projects are no longer taking participants.
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Connections4Women
Connections4Women supported autistic and neurodivergent women to build confidence, belonging, and meaningful social connections. Facilitated with lived experience at the heart, the service provided safe and supportive spaces (face-to-face and online) for women to connect with others who understood their experiences, share openly and develop lasting friendships. This project was delivered across Brisbane South, Central Queensland, and Toowoomba and concluded in October 2026.
This project was supported by funding from the Australian Government Department of Health, Disability and Ageing.
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Connections for Young Women (Jimboomba Region)
Connections for Young Women ran from 2025-2026, designed for autistic young women (aged 15-30) living in the Jimboomba, Beaudesert, and Flagstone areas. Facilitated by autistic women, for autistic women, these social groups and activations provided opportunity for autistic voices to be heard, and create supportive and safe spaces for open conversation. Feedback will help guide future supports in these areas. This project concluded on 30 June 2026.
This project was supported by funding from the Australian Government through Brisbane South PHN.
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Autistic Women Leading Change: Economic Security (Mackay Region)
Autistic Women Leading Change ran in 2026, designed for autistic women (aged 21+) living in the Mackay Isaac-Whitsunday region. The project invited autistic women to join small groups talking about employment, money, financial stress, and independence. Experiences shared during this project will help shape better supports for autistic women in the region but also provided a safe space for participants to connect with others and learn about local supports and opportunities. This project concluded on 30 June 2026.
This project was funded and supported by the Queensland Government through the Empowering Queensland Women grant program.
