Reframing Autism

09/06/2026

We're sharing this important post from the Australian Autism Alliance, which has published its submission to the Senate Inquiry into the NDIS Amendment (Securing the NDIS for Future Generations) Bill 2026. The submission outlines significant concerns about proceeding with major reforms before implementation systems, safeguards and support arrangements are demonstrably ready. Read more about the Alliance's position and key recommendations below.

📢 The Australian Autism Alliance's submission to the Senate Inquiry into the NDIS Amendment (Securing the NDIS for Future Generations) Bill 2026 has been published ( #429).

Our conclusion is clear.

🚫 The Bill should not proceed in its current form or timeframe.

The Alliance supports reform.

The Alliance supports sustainability.

This is not a new position.

In 2024, the Alliance warned Parliament against approving broad powers before the operational detail, safeguards and implementation arrangements were known.

Our position remains unchanged.

🔹 Parliament should not approve major reforms before systems are demonstrably ready.
🔹 People experience reforms cumulatively. Parliament should assess them cumulatively.
🔹 Disability reform should be afforded the same implementation safeguards Government considered necessary in other major reform programs.
🔹 Financial sustainability alone cannot tell Parliament whether reform will succeed for the people expected to live with its consequences.

⚠️ The question is not only what support costs today.

⚠️ The question is what Australia pays tomorrow if support is withdrawn too early.

✅ If systems are not ready, reform is not ready.

🎙️ The Alliance looks forward to appearing before the Senate Inquiry this week.

📖 Read our submission: https://australianautismalliance.org.au/submission/senate-community-affairs-legislation-committee-inquiry-into-the-national-disability-insurance-scheme-amendment-securing-the-ndis-for-future-generations-bill-2026/



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08/06/2026

Late diagnosed Autistic adults are often carrying decades of misunderstandings that suddenly begin to make sense.

We receive many emails from adults who describe finally understanding why they always felt different, overwhelmed, exhausted, sensitive, or out of step with the world around them.

For many, diagnosis is about finally having language for experiences they have been carrying their entire lives.

Many late diagnosed adults spent years being misunderstood -including by professionals, workplaces, schools, family members, and sometimes even themselves.

What can follow diagnosis is often a complex mix of emotions:
relief, grief, validation, anger, clarity, sadness, self-compassion, and exhaustion.

There can be grief for the years spent masking.
Grief for the support that was never offered.
Grief for being blamed for struggles that were never character flaws.

But there can also be relief in realising:
“I was not failing at being a person.
I was trying to survive in environments that did not understand me.”

For many Autistic adults, diagnosis is not the beginning of their story.
It is the beginning of finally understanding it.

🔗 Access our free Autistic Welcome Pack here: https://reframingautism.org.au/service/welcome-pack/



[ID: Against a moss green background, with the Reframing Autism logo at the top and the colourful knotwork in the lower left corner, white text reads, 'Late diagnosed Autistic adults are often carrying decades of misunderstandings that suddenly begin to make sense'. Beneath the text is an image of a man who appears to be lost in thought, staring out of a window].

03/06/2026

So often, conversations about parenting Autistic children focus only on the challenges, the deficits, or the things society expects them to change.

But there is also so much joy.

The joy of witnessing deep passions and incredible attention to detail. The joy of honest emotions, authentic connection, unique perspectives, unexpected humour, and moments of pure, unfiltered wonder. ✨

The joy of seeing the world through eyes that notice things others miss.

And perhaps one of the greatest joys of all is being reminded, every day, that there are so many beautiful ways to experience, connect with, and move through the world. 💞

🔗 If this resonates with you, you can find our webinar on The Joy of Parenting Autistic Children via this link:
https://reframing-autism-s-school.teachable.com/p/joy-of-parenting



[ID: Against a moss green background, with the Reframing Autism logo at the top and the colourful knotwork in the lower left corner, white text reads, 'The joy of parenting Autistic children is seeing the world through eyes that notice what others miss - deep passions, honest emotions, unique perspectives, and moments of pure, unfiltered wonder'. Beneath the text is an image of a mother smiling, as she holds her son close to her and points out something of interest in the distance.]

02/06/2026

For many neurodivergent people, social connection can involve constant processing: navigating sensory input, interpreting social cues, managing anxiety, adapting communication styles, and and staying regulated in environments that may be unpredictable or overstimulating.

Even when the interaction feels positive, all of that invisible effort can add up quickly.

Needing quiet time, solitude, or recovery afterwards doesn’t reduce the value of the connection - it reflects the energy it took to be present in it. Rest isn’t a failure of social ability; it’s part of how sustainable connection works.



[ID: Against a magenta background, with the Reframing Autism logo at the top and the colourful knotwork in the lower right corner, white text reads, 'Socialising can be enjoyable and meaningful - and still take a huge amount of energy'. Beneath the text is an image of an adorable puppy and kitten snuggled up together, taking a nap].

01/06/2026

🎉 We’re incredibly proud to share that our free Autism Essentials course has now reached over 20,000 enrolments.

This milestone reflects a growing shift toward neuroaffirming, respectful understandings of Autism - and we’re grateful to every person who has joined us on that journey.

20,000 people choosing information that centres dignity, clarity, and lived experience. 👐

Thank you for being part of this work and this community.
💜 💫

🔗 To enrol in Autism Essentials, click:
https://reframingautism.org.au/service/autism-essentials-free/



[ID: Against an aqua blue background, with the Reframing Autism logo at the top and the colourful knotwork in the lower right corner, white text reads, 'Celebrating over 20,000 enrolments in our free Autism Essentials course! 20,000 people choosing more neuro-affirming and respectful understandings of Autism. Thank you for being part of this shift'. Beneath the text is an image of floating confetti, twinkling in the light.]

31/05/2026

💡 Support doesn’t only mean therapy.

A lot of Autistic distress comes from environments that are too demanding, inaccessible, or invalidating - not from a lack of effort.

People don’t need to be “fixed.”
They need spaces where their nervous system is safer.

💬 Support can be practical.
💬 Support can be relational.
💬 Support can be environmental.

And sometimes those forms of support change someone’s quality of life more than any coping strategy ever could.



[ID: Against a grape background, with the Reframing Autism logo at the top and the colourful knotwork in the lower right corner, white text reads, 'What support can look like besides therapy:' Beneath the white text are five toggles, which list: 'flexible deadlines, sensory-friendly environments, autonomy, safe people, removing unnecessary demands'].

27/05/2026

Support needs do not become less real just because someone hides them well.

Many Autistic people learn early that visible distress is punished, dismissed, misunderstood, or ignored.

So we adapt.

✳️ We stay quiet when we’re overwhelmed.
✳️ We force ourselves through sensory distress.
✳️ We rehearse conversations.
✳️ We mask confusion.
✳️ We push past exhaustion.
✳️ We appear “fine.”

But hidden struggle is still struggle.

The ability to suppress needs is not the same as not having them.

Sometimes the people who seem very capable are carrying a heavy load internally - simply because they have spent years learning how to survive without being fully seen.



[ID: Against a burgundy background, with the Reframing Autism logo at the top and the colourful knotwork located in the lower left corner, white text reads, 'Support needs do not become less real just because someone hides them well'. Beneath the text is an image of a young woman, holding a mask up to her face].

26/05/2026

🌱 We’re growing - and we’re looking for a new Administrative Assistant to join the team at Reframing Autism.

This casual role (16 hours per week across 4 days) will support the administrative delivery of multiple projects across the organisation.

We’re seeking someone who is organised, proactive, and enjoys working collaboratively within a values-driven environment that supports meaningful work in the Autistic, otherwise neurodivergent, and broader disability community.

This is a fully remote position offering flexibility and the opportunity to contribute to work that makes a genuine difference. 💫

Applicants must be eligible to work in Australia.

Edited to clarify that since the job is fully remote, candidates from any location in Australia will be considered.

🔗 For further information and application details: https://www.ethicaljobs.com.au/members/Reframing_Autism/administrative-assistant



[ID: Against a blue background, with the Reframing Autism logo at the top and the colourful knotwork in the lower right corner, white text reads, 'Looking for meaningful work? We’re seeking a values-aligned administrative assistant'. Beneath the text is an image of a group of colourful dummy figures.].

25/05/2026

For generations, many Autistic people were overlooked, misunderstood, misdiagnosed, or forced to mask their differences in order to survive socially.

What is changing is not the existence of Autistic people.

What we are seeing is that more Autistic people are now finding access to information, language, and community that helps them better understand themselves and their experiences, including:

✨ Accessing information that was not previously available
✨ Recognising themselves in neuroaffirming discussions
✨ Receiving assessments later in life
✨ Understanding lifelong experiences through a new lens
✨ Feeling safer to identify openly as Autistic

For many people, this increased understanding is leading to something deeply important: being seen, understood, and accepted in ways they may never have experienced before. 🌼



[ID: Against a magenta background, with the Reframing Autism logo at the top and the colourful knotwork in the lower left corner, white text reads, 'There are not suddenly ‘more’ Autistic people. There are more people finally being seen'. Beneath the text is an image of a group of smiling people forming a circle and looking down into the camera lens.]

24/05/2026

📣 We are excited to share that Inga Koops, our Program Lead for Learning About Neurodiversity at School (LEANS) Australia, will be presenting at the Neurodiversity Affirming Therapy Conference Australia & LOAPAC Expo 2026!

✨ We are looking forward to joining a dynamic gathering of world-leading experts, researchers, and neurodivergent professionals exploring the future of neurodiversity affirming practice. Featuring inspiring keynote speakers, thought-provoking panels, a research symposium, and an exhibition space, this conference is designed to spark learning, connection, and meaningful change.

As part of the expo, we’re especially excited to share more about LEANS Australia ahead of its official launch - a world-leading, evidence-based neurodiversity education program for Australian primary schools, developed to foster more inclusive, affirming, and supportive classroom cultures for all students.

🎫 You can purchase Tickets to the Expo by copying and pasting this link: https://events.humanitix.com/neurodiversity-affirming-therapy-conference-australia-2026-the-power-of-community-in-social-change

🔗 Find out more about the event by copying and pasting this link: https://www.ndaffirmingtherapyaus.org

🔗 To learn more about LEANS Australia, visit www.leansaustralia.com.au and register for the mailing list.



[ID: On a background featuring blue concentric circles, in the upper right corner, dark blue text reads, '9th-10th July 2026 Naarm (Melbourne) and online'. In the centre, there is an image of Inga Koops, with yellow text beneath her image which reads, 'Inga Koops (she/her). Beneath that, teal text reads, 'LEANS Australia: Neurodiversity-affirming education for Primary Schools'. Beneath that, black text reads, 'Neurodiversity affirming Therapy Conference Australia & LOAPAC Expo 2026 - The Power of Community in Social Change].