2025 Autistic identity and connection workshop

The Sylvia Rodger Academy hosted its 2025 Autistic Identity and Connection Program residential workshop in March. Seventeen autistic adults from across Queensland, South Australia, and Western Australia gathered in Brisbane to participate in the Program. The Program is designed to help autistic adults have a more complete understanding of what it means to be autistic, connect with other autistic people and community, and develop skills in wellbeing and self-advocacy from an autistic perspective.

Over the course of the weekend participants engaged in workshop sessions about ableism and internalised ableism, communication and the double empathy problem, autistic camouflaging and “unmasking”, connecting to community and culture, monotropism, autism and wellbeing, as well as group discussion and reflection sessions. Participants also engaged in plenty of opportunities to socialise and connect with each other. Participants in the Program shared positive feedback about their experience in the residential workshop:

“For the first time in my life, I have connected directly and personally with other adults who, like me, are unafraid to publicly identify as autistic. What a relief to finally connect!”– Program participant

"It felt very validating and I now feel I have a better understanding of my autistic identity and traits. I have more insight on how to care for myself to prevent meltdowns and burn out. The workshop also highlighted how I can advocate for myself better in the future. At the end of the workshop I felt I had made some new friends and felt connected to the autistic community." – Program participant  

"It was a great learning experience for me, it introduced me to a few new concepts that I never would have thought of on my own." – Program participant  

This program is funded by the Australian Government Department of Social Services and has been developed by and for autistic people.

To find out more go the the Sylvia Rodger Academy webpage. Stay up to date with future programs by joining the mailing list. 

Autistic Identity and Connection program participants and project team.