Autism Community

Autism SA’s vision is for each person on the autism spectrum to live the life they choose in an inclusive society. Alongside our range of supports and services, we drive a number of initiatives to support our vision. You can read more about these initiatives below.

Autism Accessibility and Inclusion

Planning an event?

If you are planning an event, it makes sense to ensure that as many people as possible can access it.

There are two key areas that should be focused on to ensure your event is Autism Friendly:

Planning and communication
Providing information about the event in an accessible way, and well in advance enhances accessibility and inclusion.

Creating autism friendly environments and using autism friendly practices
Consideration to, and the application of, adjustments to support in communication, sensory, social and information processing can significantly support accessibility and inclusion for the Autistic community.

Check out our Autism Accessibility and Inclusion Events Guide

Co-Creating Wellbeing Supports for Parents of Autistic Children

Together, we’re creating a stronger, more connected future.

About the project

Co-Creating Wellbeing Supports is a community led initiative by Autism SA, supported by a Spark Grant from the Fay Fuller Foundation. Autism SA aims to increase understanding of the well-being challenges faced by parents of autistic children by engaging in deep learning around the lived experiences of the autism community. A co-designed approach will then be used to develop a model that supports parents of autistic children to feel connected and supported. The hope is that this approach may be replicated across different communities and empower members of the autism community to thrive together.

Autism SA has heard that parents often feel isolated, overwhelmed, and left out of the systems designed to support their families. Together, we want to be able to create a support model that helps parents to feel connected and supported.

Our approach

Listening to the community – Conversations, surveys and group events

Inclusive participation – Flexible engagement e.g. online, in person

Co-design – Parents create, shape and test the model

Outcomes we’re working toward

Through your involvement in this project we can work towards:

Providing clarity on what supports are missing and what works

Designing a tested, adaptable support model co-designed with parents

Increased wellbeing and connection for families

A policy brief and model shared with the wider community

To make this work, we parents, carers, organisations, and allies to join the conversation and help shape what support should look like.

If you are interested in participating please contact Peta Richards by email, specialprojects@autismsa.org.au or prichards@autismsa.org.au

Yoga for Connection: Supporting the Autistic Community Through Movement and Mindfulness 

Project Overview 

Yoga for Connection was a community wellbeing initiative developed by Autism SA and funded through Yoga for Good. The project supported the emotional wellbeing, connection and resilience of autistic people and those important in their lives through accessible yoga, mindfulness and calming practices.

The program was developed in response to growing community feedback highlighting the need for more inclusive, low-pressure and non-clinical wellbeing supports. Many autistic people and families experience stress, burnout, emotional fatigue, social isolation and barriers to accessing traditional wellbeing programs. In response, the project focused on creating calm, welcoming and flexible environments that supported regulation, comfort and participation in ways that felt safe and accessible.

Community Engagement and Program Development 

Before delivery, Autism SA undertook a community consultation process to better understand what autistic people and families wanted from a wellbeing program. Community feedback reinforced the importance of:

• soft or adjustable lighting (93%)
• comfortable room temperature (80%)
• clear and simple spoken instructions (80%)
• visual demonstrations or supports (80%)
• adaptable movements to suit individual needs (80%)
• predictable class structure (67%)
• receiving information beforehand about what to expect (67%)
• having no pressure to participate immediately (66%).

The consultation process strengthened the final program design and ensured the sessions reflected the needs identified directly by the community.

Program Delivery

The project was delivered through two accessible program streams, to a total of 66 participants.

School Holiday Program

The School Holiday Program supported autistic children, young people and families through inclusive yoga and mindfulness sessions delivered during school holidays. A total of 26 participants attended, including autistic children, autistic adults and family members.

School Term Program

The School Term Program was designed for autistic adults and someone important in their lives, recognising the value of shared wellbeing and co-regulation experiences. A total of 40 participants attended the School Term Program.

Accessibility and Inclusion

Accessibility and inclusion were embedded throughout all stages of the initiative. The program incorporated:

• low-pressure participation approaches
• predictable session structures
• sensory-considerate environments
• flexible movement options
• clear communication
• support for different communication styles and participation preferences.

Participants were encouraged to engage in ways that felt comfortable to them, with no expectation for a specific level of participation or interaction.

Key Findings and Outcomes

Calm and Low-Pressure Environments

Participants consistently highlighted the importance of environments that reduced overstimulation, pressure and expectations. The project reinforced the importance of wellbeing spaces that felt predictable, safe and flexible, supporting participants to feel calm, regulated and comfortable engaging in activities.

Evaluation findings demonstrated strong outcomes in this area, with:

• 100% of participants reporting they felt more relaxed and calm after the sessions
• 100% of participants reporting they felt comfortable during the sessions.

Participants described the sessions as:

“its very relaxing”

Shared Participation and Co-Regulation

The initiative highlighted the value of autistic people participating alongside someone important in their lives. Participants reported that engaging together strengthened emotional connection, safety, understanding and shared wellbeing experiences.

The program demonstrated particularly strong outcomes relating to connection and shared wellbeing, with:

• 90% of participants who attended with someone reporting they felt more connected to them after the sessions.

Participants also reflected on the positive impact the sessions had on their wellbeing and mental health.

One participant shared:

“It has been helping me every week with my mental health”

Flexible and Inclusive Wellbeing Models

Feedback demonstrated that traditional wellbeing programs can unintentionally create barriers due to sensory demands, social expectations or inflexible delivery. Participants responded positively to adaptable activities, reduced social pressure and environments that respected individual needs and participation styles.

The overwhelmingly positive feedback highlighted the effectiveness of flexible and neuro-affirming wellbeing approaches, with:

• 100% of participants rating their overall experience as good to excellent.

Participants valued the ability to engage in ways that suited their own comfort levels, communication styles and sensory needs, reinforcing the importance of adaptable and accessible wellbeing models.

Community Connection and Belonging

Participants valued being part of a space where they did not feel judged or pressured to mask or meet neurotypical expectations. The project fostered connection, emotional safety, confidence and increased participation in wellbeing activities.

Participants particularly valued facilitators who understood autism and created genuinely inclusive and welcoming environments.

One participant shared:

“Having a teacher who understands autism was great as it felt like a genuinely neuro-affirming space where [my daughter] could feel welcome and comfortable”

The project demonstrated how inclusive wellbeing spaces can strengthen belonging, reduce barriers to participation and create opportunities for autistic people and families to connect in safe and supportive ways.

Project Impact Graphic

Yoga Session Videos

As part of the project, Autism SA developed a series of accessible yoga and mindfulness videos to support ongoing wellbeing, regulation and connection.

Video Library

Session 1 – Video

Session 2 – Video

Session 3 – Video

Disclaimer

These sessions are provided by Autism SA for general wellbeing and educational purposes only and are not medical, therapeutic or healthcare advice. Please participate at your own pace and within your own abilities. Stop immediately if you experience pain, discomfort, dizziness or shortness of breath. Participation is voluntary and at your own risk. If you have any injury, medical condition, health concern or uncertainty about your ability to participate safely, please seek advice from a qualified health professional before participating.

To the fullest extent permitted by law, Autism SA and the instructor accept no liability for any injury, loss or damage suffered in connection with the sessions or recordings, except where caused by their own wilful misconduct or unlawful conduct.

Supporting hospitality venues to hire autistic jobseekers

Be part of an exciting initiative, supporting hospitality venues to fill job shortages by utilising the talents of autistic job seekers

About the project

South Australia’s hospitality industry is facing a long-term workforce crisis, whilst in contrast, autistic people remain significantly underemployed. Autistic people can have many strengths such as high ability to focus, reliability and attention to detail. These strengths would be an asset for many hospitality roles. Despite having valuable skills, autistic individuals are often excluded due to inaccessible recruitment methods and unsupported workplace environments.

The ‘Unlocking Workforce Potential: Utilising Autistic Talent to Address Staff Shortages in South Australia’s Venues’ Project aims to unlock the talent pool of autistic job seekers by supporting hospitality venues to implement neuro-inclusive recruitment, onboarding, and workplace practices. This project, supported by a grant from the Office of Autism, Government of South Australia, is a 12 month initiative championed by Autism SA.

Participate in this exciting free initiative to utilise autistic talent and fill valuable positions at your venue.

Get involved

• Through your involvement in this project you may have the opportunity to:
• Co-design a neuro-inclusive recruitment campaign to attract autistic talent to your business
• Increase your knowledge, understanding and capacity to employ and retain autistic employees
• Gain support from an Autistic Advisory Officer to create an autism-friendly workplace
• Connect with autistic job seekers looking for roles in hospitality.

If you are interested in participating in this project please contact Hannah Badenhop by email, specialprojects@autismsa.org.au or scan the QR code below to fill out an enquiry form.

Autism SA Statement: in response to Speech from Minister Butler, National Press Club – 20 August 2025

Autism SA welcomes ongoing efforts to clarify the scope and purpose of foundational supports. We look forward to collaborating with both State and Commonwealth Governments to ensure that early childhood supports are designed to meet the needs identified by autistic people, their families, and the broader autism community.

While we are encouraged by this focus, we are concerned that recent commentary may not fully reflect the understanding that autism is a lifelong neurodevelopmental disability. It is essential that policy development recognises this reality and places emphasis on identifying and addressing support needs in genuine partnership with autistic people and the autism community. This will help ensure that new initiatives provide meaningful and appropriate support, rather than risk shifting responsibility away from the national disability support framework.

Autism SA encourages both the State and Commonwealth Governments to honour their commitment to co-design by working early, closely, and transparently with peak bodies, service providers, the sector, autistic people, and families who will be most directly impacted by these decisions.

As South Australia’s autism peak body, Autism SA is committed to ensuring that the voices of autistic people, children, and their families are heard. We will continue to engage constructively with government to influence the development of the Thriving Kids Program so that the needs of South Australian families and the broader autism community are fully represented and addressed.

Adelaide Fringe 2025

Autism SA is an Accessibility Partner for the Adelaide Fringe for a fourth year in a row!

As part of this, we welcome all artists and venues to participate in free online Autism Friendly training. Once this training is complete, there is also opportunity for venues or shows to be listed on the free Autism Friendly Charter Business Directory.

If you are a Fringe venue or artist, click the button below to get started with your free training.

Autism Friendly Dining

We’ve partnered with the Australian Hotels Association – SA Branch to help make South Australian venues more inclusive. Take a look at our Autism friendly dining directory to see what venues have come on board to hold inclusive dining experiences.

Autism friendly dining directory

Step by Step guide to inclusive venues 

We’ve just launched a step by step guide to enhancing accessibility and inclusion in venues.

Advocacy

Australian Autism Alliance

Autism SA is a member of the Australian Autism Alliance – a diverse national network of key autism organisations that works to influence and inform, educate and engage, connect and collaborate. You can learn more about this on the Alliance website.

Free Resources

Community Education

Community Projects

Support Groups

Autism SA maintains a register of support groups. These groups can be supportive, informative, and fun, giving you the opportunity for networking, find emotional support and a safe place to talk or listen. They can promote hope, empowerment, and strive to break down the barriers.

Please note these groups are not facilitated by Autism SA.