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Message NEURODIVERGENTEMPOWERED Empowering Autistic Kids, Teens & Adults to Connect, Create, and ThriveOur multiple award-winning, neurodivergent-led safe space—created by autistictrailblazers. It’s home to our neurodivergent-affirming therapist-led groups, designed tosupport autistic individuals in a world not built for our brains, and recognised forinnovation, inclusion, and leadership including but not limited to:2025 GlobalWomen Changingthe World Gold(Children’sEducation) 2025 GlobalWomen Changingthe World Bronze(AdvocacyImpact)2024 BeamAwards –CommunityLeader of theYear2024 Stevie®Gold – GlobalFemaleExecutive of theYear2024 SunshineCoast BusinessAwards - GoldWinner -Education Award2024 GlobalRecognitionAward forDisabilityInclusion2024AusMumpreneur- Gold Winner -Against the OddsAward2024AusMumpreneur- Silver Winner -Disability ServicesAwardNDIS INFO:
WHO WEAREAboutWe’re so glad you found us!Neurodivergent Empowered is a proudly neurodivergent-led organisation offeringinnovative, affirming supports aligned with the latest NDIS requirements. Our servicesare designed to uplift autistic and ADHD individuals through connection, identitycelebration, and nervous system nourishment. Every offering is developed with livedexperience, current research, and accessibility at its core.MissionTo empower, educate, and inspire 1 million autistic and ADHD individuals to live a life ofauthentic joy, self-connection, and belonging—on their terms.www.neurod ivergentempowered.comCore ValuesAuthenticity – You were nevermeant to be anyone else.Joy – Your happiness is not abonus—it’s a birthright.Connection – Safe relationshipsare how we grow, not by being“fixed.”Safety – Emotional and sensorysafety comes before success.Empowerment – We walkalongside you, not above you.Accessibility – Everyonedeserves to reach what helpsthem thrive.
WHATMAKES USDIFFERENTNEURODIVERGENT-AFFIRMING.SENSORY-SAFE. CONNECTION-LED.At Neurodivergent Empowered, we do things differently—on purpose. Our approach centresaround honouring each person's unique brain, body, and experience. Here’s what sets us apart:NEURODIVERGENT-LED &TRAUMA-INFORMEDWe’re not here to “fix” people—we’re hereto walk with them. Our team is made up ofneurodivergent individuals with livedexperience and qualified training. Weunderstand trauma and difference from theinside out, and we build spaces wherepeople feel seen, heard, and safe.SENSORY-AWARE & INTEREST-BASEDWe prioritise sensory safety and sensory joyin everything we do. From lighting andtextures to sound and transitions, we co-create environments that supportregulation and wellbeing. Our sessions arebuilt around what lights people up—notjust what’s on a checklist.NO PRESSURE TO MASKMasking can be exhausting and harmful. Inour programs, you are safe to unmask.Whether you stim, need silence, want toinfo-dump, or just sit in the corner withyour headphones—we welcome you, just asyou are.EMPOWERMENT > COMPLIANCEWe don’t use rewards to shape behaviouror enforce “social skills.” Instead, we focuson building self-trust, agency, and authenticengagement. We believe in collaboration,not control.“ We focus on Nervous System Nourishment. Regulation before participation. Safetybefore success. We support individuals in understanding their nervous system statesand provide tools to feel more grounded, connected, and empowered.” - Tan
OURGLOBALIMPACTOUR GLOBAL IMPACT & RECOGNITIONAt Neurodivergent Empowered, we’re not just reimagining what support looks like forneurodivergent individuals — we’re leading a global movement rooted in authenticity, safety,empowerment, and joy.From a single grassroots group to an internationally recognised organisation, our work is creatingripples of change across families, schools, businesses, and systems.We’ve empowered thousands of neurodivergent individuals and families through:Our innovative programs and therapeutic supportsThe award-winning Phoenix Friends and Phoenix Connections groupsInterest-based mentoring and leadership developmentAnd our growing body of published books, keynote presentations, and professional trainingBOOKS, KEYNOTES & GLOBALPRESENTATIONSOur founder, Tanya Hicks, is the author ofthe internationally celebratedSparkly Alien Empowerment Series — acollection of books supportingneurodivergent people to live empowered,connected, and joyful lives.These books are fast becoming essentialresources for:Autistic and ADHD individualsFamilies, therapists, educators, andleadersOrganisations seeking neurodivergent-affirming practicesTanya is also a sought-after keynote speakerand educator, having been asked to present onstages across:AustraliaIrelandThe UKThe United StatesCanadaHer presentations span topics like:Authentic, values-led leadership for autisticand ADHD individualsNervous system nourishment and trauma-informed stabilisation through somatic andstrengths-based approachesDesigning environments of safety, joy, andempowerment — at home, in community,and within ourselves
OURGLOBALIMPACTAWARDS & HONOURS2025 GLOBAL WOMENCHANGING THE WORLDAWARDS - LONDONTELSTRA BEST OF BUSINESSAWARDS 2024 - NATIONAL2024 STEVIE® AWARDS FORWOMEN IN BUSINESS - USA Gold Winner – Overcoming The OddsAward Silver Winner – Disabled BusinessExcellence AwardAUSMUMPRENEUR AWARDS 2024- NATIONAL Gold Winner - Children’s Education Bronze Winner - Advocacy & Impact Gold Stevie Winner – Female Executiveof the Year (Sparkly Aliens Inc) Silver Stevie Winner – FemaleExecutive of the Year (NeurodivergentEmpowered) Silver Stevie Winner – Woman of theYear (Sparkly Aliens Inc)BEAM AWARDS 2024 - NATIONAL Gold Winner – Community Leader ofthe Year Finalist – Excellence in Diversity andInclusion Finalist – Woman of the Year Finalist – Championing Health Finalist – Outstanding GrowthQUEENSLAND AUTISTICBUSINESS AWARDS 2023 Winner – Emerging CommunityLeader AwardSUNSHINE COAST COMMUNITYGALA AWARDS 2022 Winner – ND / Autistic ExcellenceProvider of the Year
WE LEADFROM THEH.E.A.R.T.HOW WE LEAD FROM THE HEART.At Neurodivergent Empowered, we lead from the heart. How we show up for our clients, ourteam, and ourselves is grounded in our core values: Authenticity, joy, connection, safety,empowerment, and accessibility. We embody these values in every interaction. With everyperson. Every day.H IS FOR HONOUR AUTHENTICITYWe show up as our empowered selves— no masking, no pretending. We create spaces where you can feelsafe to be yourself, without shame,fixing, or pressure to conform.We’re committed to growing alongsideyou — reflecting, learning, and stayingopen to feedback and change. We honour our own authenticity sothat we can better honour yours.A IS FOR AMPLIFY ACCESSIBILITYWe understand that every brain andbody is different. We’re committed tolearning how to support needs that maynot be our own — with flexibility,curiosity, and care.E IS FOR EMBODY EMPOWERMENTWe model empoweredneurodivergence. That means beingprepared, staying regulated, doing theadmin, and showing up consistently.We take responsibility for our energyand choices, and we support others todo the same.Empowerment also means respectinglimits and pacing — so we can co-createtrust and sustainability in all ourrelationships.T IS FOR TRUST AND BUILDSAFETYWe bring warmth, humour, andkindness into every interaction. We build relationships with intention —checking in, celebrating growth, andholding space through challenges.We believe that genuine connectioncomes from safety, not pressure — andthat laughter and lightness are powerfulforms of regulaiton.We actively remove barriers — physical,emotional, sensory, and systemic.We keep our spaces welcoming, ourcommunication clear, and our practicesinclusive.R IS FOR RADIATE CONNECTIONAND JOYWe build trust through consistency,care, and clear communication. You can rely on us to prepare, followthrough, and hold space with integrity.Safety is a shared experience — and wevalue emotional safety just as much asphysical safety. We repair when things go wrong, andwe approach those moments withkindness, not defensiveness.
HOW TOGETSTARTEDNEURODIVERGENT-AFFIRMING.SENSORY-SAFE. CONNECTION-LED.After reading through the information in this document, and once you're ready to speak withCat about whether a particular session is the right fit for you or your child, please complete ourcontact form here: www.neurodivergentempowered.com/contactSTEP 1: EXPLORE OUR SESSIONSAll our sessions are interest-based, strengths-focused, and designed to support individual NDISgoals. We aim to build confidence, connection, and self-awareness in a way that feels safe, fun,and empowering.
ProgramAge GroupWeekdayRateWeekendRateEarly Intervention5 to 8$64.66/hrN/AChildren9 to 12$45/hr$55/hrTeens13 to 18$45/hr$55/hrAdults18+$35/hrN/AAnimal AssistedAll Ages$64.66/hrN/AEXPLOREOURSESSIONS“ We focus on Nervous System Nourishment. Regulation before participation. Safetybefore success. We support individuals in understanding their nervous system statesand provide tools to feel more grounded, connected, and empowered.” - Tan NDIS Registration ID: 4-K6GFD9REarly Childhood Supports Registration No: 780528APS Membership Number: 354431ACA Membership Number: R82053Incorporation Number: IA4786828FEES
OURTHERAPYLEADERSEarly Intervention Practitioner – Psychology(Honours)Cat offers play-based, compassionatesupports that celebrate children’s sensoryneeds, identity, and emotional world.EARLY INTERVENTION &PSYCHOLOGY - GROUPSCATHERINE BEHRINGER -MEMBER OF APSABBEY BAKER - MEMBER OF APSEarly Intervention Practitioner – Psychology(Honours)Abbey focuses on relationship-basedsupport that builds safety, emotionalliteracy, and confident self-expression.CHRISTINE DOYLE - MEMBER OFQCTEarly Intervention Practitioner – Psychology(Honours)Abbey focuses on relationship-basedsupport that builds safety, emotional literacy,and confident self-expression.Registered Neurodivergent-Affirming Counsellor Founder of Neurodivergent Empowered andSparkly Aliens Inc., Tanya brings trauma-informed, identity-affirming support forautistic and ADHD individuals of all ages. Herwork blends counselling, nervous systemnourishment, mindfulness, movement, andauthentic empowerment.Our therapeutic supports are grounded in lived experience, professional excellence, and a sharedpassion for empowering neurodivergent individuals to thrive.All therapy is delivered within group settings and woven seamlessly into discussions and activitiesthat align with participants’ shared interests. This is a core part of our neurodivergent-affirmingapproach, as we recognise that traditional face-to-face therapy models are often not best practice forour community. Instead, we prioritise relational safety, interest-based engagement, and naturalskill development in environments where participants feel genuinely seen, respected, andcomfortable.TANYA HICKS - PROFESSIONALMEMBER OF ACATHERAPY &COUNSELLING - GROUPSALLIED HEALTH ROBBIE ELLETT - MEMBER OFAHPRAOccupational TherapistRobbie specialises in supporting the mentalhealth and well-being of teens and adults.With a strengths-based and relational style,Robbie works to build capacity in everyday lifewhile honouring each individual’s uniqueprocessing profile and lived experience.
CONNECT &BOOK YOURFIRST SESSIONAfter reading through this information, and when you're ready to speak with Cat about whether asession is the right fit for you or your child, please complete our online contact form: www.neurodivergentempowered.com/contactOnce we receive your form, our Community Impact and Partnerships Coordinator, CatherineBehringer, will contact you to explore your needs and guide you through the next steps.As part of this process, you’ll also be asked to share:Whether any medication will need to be taken during sessionsIf there are any court or custody documents relevant to your child’s participationWho referred you to Neurodivergent Empowered (if applicable)Any additional information that may help us support a safe, positive, and empoweringexperience — including anything that could impact comfort, safety, or participationThis information allows us to create the most supportive, responsive, and affirming environmentpossible.Once your onboarding documents are complete, we’ll help you book your first session with one of ourfacilitators. Our sessions are low-pressure, gentle, and designed to help each participant feel seen,supported, and safe from the very beginning.IF YOU ARE USING OUR SERVICES UNDER OURTHERAPY SUPPORT CODES:To protect the integrity of the therapeutic aspect of our programs, any participant using their NDIStherapy funding (e.g. for Early Intervention, Counselling, or Occupational Therapy) will also berequired to:Attend an initial 1:1 session with the relevant therapist when they begin with usHave at least one 1:1 check-in every 3 months to support goal tracking and clinical oversightAttend additional 1:1s as needed, outside of their weekly group sessions, if further observation orinformation is required to meet NDIS reporting standardsThis structure ensures our team can provide accurate, affirming, and high-quality reporting whilemaintaining a therapeutic relationship that reflects best practice in a neurodivergent context.
COMPLETEONBOARDINGOUR 4 PHOENIX STATES TO SUPPORT SELFAWARENESS & ALEXITHYMIABefore you complete your first session you will be provided access to your own portal and be requiredto complete: A personalised Empowerment Plan to help guide our supportAn NDIS Service Agreement outlining your sessions and fundingUpload of any relevant medical or support documents We use the Program of Support model, which secures your weekly spot for the duration of yourfunding period. This model supports predictability, emotional safety, and relational trust, whichare vital to growth and regulation for many neurodivergent people.
OURCONTACT0434 914 563sparkly@neurodivergentempowered.comwww.neurodivergentempowered.comRumba Resort - Shop 3. Tucked in behind Hoggs Breath.Car Park is , 10 Leeding Tce,Caloundra, 4551.