Autism Spectrum Australia (Aspect)

We’re excited to share more photos from last week’s Brilliant Brunch at NSW Parliament! 🧁☕ A heartfelt thank you to the Aspect students, families, and Autistic adults who joined us and shared their lived experiences. ❤ The event created space for important conversations with Parliamentarians ahead of World Autism Understanding Day tomorrow. We’re grateful to The Hon Natasha Maclaren-Jones MLC for generously hosting, and to Mark Hodges MP and Janelle Saffin MP for announcing that they will co-chair the new Friends of Parliament group — an informal network of MPs dedicated to raising awareness and strengthening engagement around key issues with the Autistic community. Aspect CEO Jacqui Borland and National Director, Education Maryanne Gosling also took the stage to introduce Aspect and share why building a more inclusive Australia matters to us all. Ready to share World Autism Understanding Day (WAUD2025) with your LinkedIn network? Download the social media kit with images and suggested wording here 👉 https://lnkd.in/gD4J-DBg #WAUD2025 #NSWParliamentBrilliantBrunch #ABrilliantBrunch Photos: Rising Sun Photography - Sydney

🌱 What happens when a school is designed to meet the needs of its students — not the other way? Aspect School Principal Shane Morris takes us inside Aspect Hills Shire School — a place built from the ground up to support Autistic students and help them thrive. From sensory-friendly classrooms to spaces that spark curiosity and calm, Shane shares how every detail — including teaching practices — has been shaped with care, intention and research from Aspect and the Aspect Research Centre for Autism Practice - ARCAP ✨ If you’re an educator passionate about supporting neurodivergent students, don’t miss this conversation with @the-educator-apac. It's not about ticking boxes — it's about making sure every student feels comfortable, understood and supported.❤️ 👉 https://lnkd.in/gW38pPXa #AspectEducation #Neurodiversity #SpecialEducation #InclusiveSchools #LeadershipInEducation #AspectSchools #EducationLeaders #autism Maryanne Gosling - Karilyn Gumley

We have some exciting news to share!! Aspect has officially joined TikTok! 🎉📱🥳 You can find us at @aspectaus. To launch our channel, Angus Hamill, Bethany Woodman and Abbey Faulkner – three brilliant young people from Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC)’s The Assembly – have asked people on the streets about autism, making the society inclusive and supporting students in the classrooms. The responses they received remind us why our work matters. While awareness and understanding of autism is growing each year, there’s still a long way to go. According to a February 2025 YouGov survey: 🟥 only half (50%) of Australians believe they have a good understanding of autism 🟥 one third of Australians said they would not know what to say if someone tells them they’re Autistic This is exactly why we’re showing up on new platforms like TikTok - to amplify Autistic voices and keep building a more inclusive world. Follow us on TikTok! @aspectaus #AutismInclusion #Neurodiversity #TheAssembly #TikTokLaunch #AutismAwareness #AutismUnderstanding #WAUD2025

Aspect was thrilled to provide a Brilliant Brunch at NSW Parliament House yesterday to mark the upcoming World Autism Understanding Day on April 2. Many thanks to our host The Hon Natasha Maclaren-Jones MLC. A new Parliamentary Friends of Autism Group was announced by Co-chairs Janelle Saffin and Mark Hodges. Greg Warren Helen Dalton Sally Quinell Maryanne Gosling Robyn Eicker #WAUD2025 #NSWParliamentBrilliantBrunch #AspectAutismSpectrumAustralia

Looking for meaningful ways to celebrate #WAUD2025 in your workplace or school? Check out a preview of our new webinar: Building an Autism Friendly Workplace & Community - a 20-minute resource based on our highly sought-after Aspect Autism Friendly staff training. It offers practical, respectful insights into how Autistic people may experience the workplace - and real strategies your team can implement to create more inclusive environments. The webinar has been co-developed and co-delivered by Autistic voices sharing their lived experience. They’re an impactful way to mark WAUD with purpose - and a smart investment in inclusion. 🎉 SPECIAL OFFER: Everyone who purchases a webinar goes in the draw to win a full Autism Friendly staff training session or an environmental assessment - valued at over $3,000! Ts&Cs apply. 🎓 Also available: Understanding Autism in Education - an 18-minute webinar tailored for schools and educators. 👉 Watch the clip and explore both videos: https://lnkd.in/gHpvUuJe #WAUD2025 #AutismFriendly #InclusionMatters #Neurodiversity #AutisticVoices #ProfessionalDevelopment

Too bright. Too harsh. Too much. Most public spaces are over-lit — and it’s not working for everyone. Glare, flicker and intense lighting can make everyday experiences really tough for Autistic people. The Aspect Autism Friendly team breaks it down and shares what you can do to make your space more inclusive. 👉 https://lnkd.in/ghTgz7hA #WAUD2025 #InclusiveDesign #SensoryFriendly #Autism #Inclusion #HiddenDisabilities Tom Tutton

🚨 Reminder: Sunday is the FINAL day of our FREE Will writing offer with Safewill! 🎉 If you haven’t started yet, now’s the time to secure your legacy and make a lasting impact with a gift in your Will to Aspect. 💚 You can create your own simple Will for free (typically $160)* and make a meaningful impact by including a gift to Aspect. An estimated 1 in 40 Australians are on the autism spectrum. By including a gift in your Will, you help secure a strong future for Aspect and bring our vision to life. Gifts in Wills play a vital role in making life-changing programs and initiatives possible, many of which wouldn’t exist without this generosity. Thanks to past gifts, we’ve built a new school in Sydney, created a life-skills kitchen for adults in Melbourne, and funded ground-breaking research that empowers Autistic individuals to live their life, their way. Every gift, big or small, helps create a world that works for everyone. 👉 Get started here: https://lnkd.in/g8ZQC4uV   For questions, reach out to giftsinwills@aspect.org.au or 1800 288 476. Let’s make a difference together—don’t miss out! 💚   *If your estate is more complex, we recommend you obtain financial and legal advice before signing a Will. ** Please note all online wills need to be printed and signed by two witnesses to ensure its legal validity. Anna Phillips - Nadine Eulgem

All World Autism Understanding Day 2025 (2 April) resources are now live — including blogs, info sheets, podcasts and practical tools to promote autism understanding and acceptance. The campaign wouldn’t exist without the ideas, passion and lived experience of Autistic people. It is co-developed and co-produced each year with Autistic staff, advocates and our Autistic Working Group. 🧡 Meet the incredible advocates who are the face of this year's WAUD campaign 👉 https://lnkd.in/gQTe6EJv #WAUD2025 #autism #autismUnderstanding Abbey Faulkner - Ben Taylor - Alexandra Robinson - Michael Theo - Tilly & Lucius - Andrew Radford - Ella Pardy PLY - Julie - Thomas Broadley - Emma Tomlinson - Jean-Christophe Novelli - Angus Hamill - Mirjana Gligorevic - Uncle Michael West - Bethany Woodman -Jessica Tattersall - Daniel Giles OAM - Chris day - Rebecca Street - Emma Beardsley - Kerry Chin

We're still buzzing from Saturday's relaxed performance of Beauty and the Beast - the musical, in Melbourne! What a joyful and inclusive event – made possible through an incredible collaboration with Disney Theatrical Group and Amaze. Volunteers from all three organisations helped create a warm, welcoming atmosphere, and Chloe Hayden’s heartfelt hosting made the experience even more memorable. ❤ A special shout-out to our Aspect Autism Friendly team, whose thoughtful accommodations – from adjusted lighting and sound effects to quiet spaces and a visual story – made it possible for everyone to enjoy the show in a way that felt right for them! Following earlier performances in Sydney and Brisbane, it was a delight to be part of another magical day ✨. Thank you to everyone who made it happen! 🙌

📚 🛠 Deciding what to do post high-school and the next steps to take can be daunting. Our Adult Community Services team leaders and support workers were on hand at three school expos in #Melbourne last week, talking to students and their parents about what’s next and the options Aspect offers. They appreciated hearing about our range of individualised activities in the community and our centres, as well as our learning about our experienced staff and our care and approach. Thank you to Northwest Expo, Burwood East Special Developmental School and Warringa Park School for the opportunity. 📢 This week we will be at Croxton School, Northern School For Autism Croydon Special Developmental School and Bulli Heights School – come and visit us and learn more! If you are an NDIS participant and want to learn more about what we offer, check out 👉 https://lnkd.in/gqBMv6h3 #ndis #autismSupport