Connecting Women
At AQ, we know that social connection and belonging matter. Our Connecting Women services and initiatives are designed to support autistic and neurodivergent women by creating safe spaces to connect, share, and build meaningful relationships.
Finding genuine connection and belonging can sometimes feel out of reach for autistic and neurodivergent women. Many share experiences of isolation, missed understanding, or barriers that make it harder to build and maintain friendships. We believe all women deserves the chance to feel connected, supported, and part of a community that values who they are.
Our Connecting Women services and projects brings together initiatives created with neurodivergent women’s lived experiences at the heart. These provide safe, welcoming spaces where autistic and neurodivergent women can come together, share openly, and build lasting relationships. Whether you’re seeking social opportunities with peers or a chance to have your voice heard in shaping what connection should look like, these opportunities are here for you.
Connections4Women (18+) – Brisbane, Toowoomba, Central Queensland, and online
FREE social connecting groups for anyone who identifies as an autistic or neurodivergent woman (18+) living in Queensland.
Many autistic and neurodivergent women face barriers when it comes to making and keeping social connections. Connections4Women provides a safe, supportive environment where women can come together, connect with like-minded people, and create lasting friendships.
Facilitated with lived experience at the heart, these groups are all about:
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Building confidence and belonging.
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Sharing experiences in a safe, understanding space.
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Developing meaningful, supportive connections.
The program officially commenced in March 2025 and now offers a mix of weekly, fortnightly, and monthly groups in Brisbane, Gladstone, Toowoomba, and online.
Continuous co-design is central to the program, ensuring it reflects the needs and voices of the women involved. Many women involved so far have highlighted the value of connecting with others who “get them”, finding a space where they can share openly without fear of judgement. Conversations have been robust, emotional, celebratory, and deeply supportive.
Connections4Women is funded by the Australian Government Department of Social Services.
Connections for Young Women (15-24) – Jimboomba, Beaudesert, Flagstone, and online
A project designed to hear directly from autistic young women (ages 15–24)
We want to listen and learn from your real experiences of friendship, social connection, and community. That’s why we’re hosting small, comfortable sessions, facilitated by autistic women, to create a supportive and safe space for open conversation.
Here’s what you can expect:
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Small sessions with just 8 people.
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A chance to share and feel heard about what works and what doesn’t, and what is meaningful to you!
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Facilitated by autistic women for autistic women.
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Light refreshments provided at face-to-face sessions.
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Your time valued with a $50 payment to eligible participants.
📍 Sessions are open to autistic women aged 15–24 in Jimboomba, Beaudesert, and Flagstone with venues to be determined upon application. Additionally an online session may be held at a later date, subject to demand. Face-to-face sessions are expected to be held late September, with follow up or online sessions to be held in 2026. This project is short-term, so spots are limited.
This activity is supported by funding from the Australian Government through Brisbane South PHN.
