Future Leaders
The Future Leaders Program is for autistic adults who would like explore and develop their leadership skills to positively impact their community. This Program helps participants to:
- develop leadership skills and gain practical knowledge from an autistic perspective
- make a positive impact in their community, and
- connect with a community of emerging and established autistic leaders.
Participants in the Future Leaders Program develop their skills through a series of Program activities including:
- completing online modules on topics including self-discovery and goal setting, leadership, advocacy and influence, resilience and wellbeing, and diversity within autism
- attending a 3.5-day/3-night residential workshop
- undertaking a practical project based on individual leadership goals
- mentoring by established autistic leaders in the autistic community.
Response from graduates
“Future Leaders has been a place of validation and acceptance that feels so overdue and needed. I was beginning to wilt and Future Leaders watered me and fertilised me and encouraged me to grow.” – 2022 Program graduate
“I loved this opportunity. One of the most valuable experiences of my life I can say with full conviction.”– 2019 Program graduate
Graduate stories
Zoe
“I don’t usually take risks, but through the program I could try new things in a supported way. Participating in Future Leaders enabled me to see how much I can achieve.”
Kirk
“I learned a lot about myself in the program, it helped me understand my strengths and weaknesses and what areas to focus on. Before, I felt like I was adrift.”
Applications closed
Applications for the Future Leaders Program are currently closed.
Join the Sylvia Rodger Academy mailing list to be the first to know about our upcoming programs, applications openings and other important updates.
Further reading
- News article: Future Leaders Program 2018 helping to develop Autistic Pride
- News article: Congratulations to our Future Leaders 2018 graduates
- News article: Autistic leadership recognised by Westpac Social Change Fellowship
- News article: Changing the autism conversation
- Evaluation report for the 2013 program
- Evaluation report for the 2018 program
- Evaluation report for 2019 program
- Evaluation report for 2020 program
- Evaluation report for 2022 program
Autism Spectrum Australia (Aspect) is the major sponsor of Future Leaders.