Thriving Autistically
An Online Wellbeing Event for Autistic Adults
Sunday 6th October-Friday 11th October (All times AEST)
Thriving Autistically is Neurokindred’s first online Autistic wellbeing event designed to celebrate all the beautiful & unique ways we support ourselves when we work with our Autistic ways of being.
Our aim is to cultivate a safe-enough space for connection to neurokin, rejuvenation and engagement with neuro-affirming mental health supports and skills.
Over six days, we’ll host over 20 activity sessions, special interest sessions and peer support groups, all led by lived experience facilitators.
These sessions will focus on managing sensory needs, self-regulation, alternate ways to express and connect with emotions, community connection, telling our stories, and ‘life hacks’ to mental health hygiene practices.
A particular emphasis will be engaging in the nourishing, regulating and mental health protective influence of special interests (SpIns).
Lived experience and connection to Neurokin are centred at Thriving Autistically.
Thriving Autistically Activity Sessions
Colouring Autistic Wellbeing
Play
Sun 9-10:30am | Lead – Shannon Hilscher | Co Lead – Jade Lee
This group focuses on using colour to explain and explore experience.
Guided by Autistic author & instructional designer Shannon Hilscher, who ‘wrote the book’ on living authentically through colour, we play with using colour for alternate emotional expression and mindful experiencing.
This session has ‘levels of activities’ with accessible options suitable for beginners or those that experience physical and coordination differences. All levels of confidence are welcome.
Prepare Beforehand
- Any type of materials to colour with, such as paints, pencils and pens, crayons, pastels.
- A colouring book and plain paper
- A brush, scissors and cardboard roll
- Resource folder for examples here
Autistic | She/her
Autistic & ADHD | She/they
Inciting Autistic Wellbeing
Sun 11am-12.30pm | Lead – Dr Simone Kolysh | Co Lead – Karen Noble
Dr Simone Kolysh will deliver a talk on systemic oppression in mental health for Autistics with an emphasis on an intersectional feminist perspective.
They will address:
- Autistic women & non-binary and interactions with the mental health system,
- co-occurring mental and physical illness and burnout recovery,
- psychiatric abuse, neuro-affirming mental health support, asking for help safely and self-advocacy to help broaden understanding and dismantle stigma.
Prepare Beforehand
- Readings (optional) here
- Please submit discussion questions beforehand if you can as these will be the first introduced.
Autistic & ADHD| They/them 
Autistic & ADHD | She/her
Stories We Needed to Hear - Delighting in your Autistic Inner Child
Sun 1-2pm | Lead – Lil Desille | Co Lead – Linda
An experiential space of connection and storytelling where we rewrite over old narratives we have introjected about ourselves from childhood.
Lil will facilitate a discussion, an accessible exercise and a simple meditation focused on connecting with and delighting in our Autistic inner child.
There will be a prize draw for attendees to be gifted the beautiful resource of an Inner Child Affirmations Deck.
Prepare Beforehand
- Paper
- Coloured pencils
- A lead pencil
Autistic & ADHD| She/they
Fidgeting Autistic Wellbeing
Mon 2:30pm-4.00pm | Lead – Jo Seymon | Co Lead – Kai Seymon
Bring along your favourite fidgets and stim tools and meet the amazing Jo and Kai from Kaiko fidgets as they demonstrate the beautiful, helpful and Autistic adult-friendly tools they have on offer through their online service.
Each has been developed and field-tested. Tools for harm reduction, proprioceptive input, resilient tools, chews & fidgets that are discrete, squishies that stand the test of time and more.
Got questions? There will be a Q&A segment.
Kaiko have also donated a prize for a lucky attendee in the prize draw.
Jo - Autistic & ADHD | She/her
Jo and Kai have firsthand experience with the challenges and sensory needs that many neurodivergent adults face.
Storying Autistic Wellbeing
Sun 4:30-5:30pm | Lead – Linda | Co Lead – Karen
A session to play with alternate emotional expression and telling our stories through fairy tales and Clarissa Pinkola Estes’s retellings of fables.
Particular focus of discussion is how they capture and reflect our late-identified Autistic experience.
Bibliotherapy meets narrative therapy.
Readings provided.
Prepare Beforehand
Readings here:
- The Little Match Girl & Blog example
- The Red Shoes
- The Ugly Duckling
- The Selkie Sealcoat
- Fairytales – Jack and the Beanstalk, Princess and the Pea or bring your own example
Autistic, ADHD & C-PTSD | She/they
Autistic & ADHD | She/her
Conjuring Autistic Wellbeing
Mon 9am-10.30pm | Lead – Niki Jones | Co Lead – Kahlia
This is a SpIn (Special Interest) group about Witchcraft, Spirituality, Mythology.
Participants will discuss and share their spiritual practices and beliefs, exploring how these interests contribute to their well-being.
This space is led by Niki Jones who invites you to bring along an open mind, a notebook and pencil if you want to take notes and your fav crystal or witchy item or anything to help you feel comfy with the topics.
Prepare Beforehand
- An open mind
- A notebook and pencil if you want to take notes
- Your favourite crystal or witchy item or anything to help you feel comfy with the topics.
Neurodivergent | She/her
Building Autistic Wellbeing
Mon 11am-12pm | Lead – Karen | Co Lead – Chantel
SpIn (Special Interest) group on all things Lego, hosted by two Lego aficionados Karen & Chantel.
Come along and share your favourite, latest or work in progress builds.
If you feel chatty let’s discuss why you build, what you do with your Lego collections, disassembling process. If not, just come along and build or disassemble in community.
There will be a prize draw for attendees to be gifted one of two Lego sets donated by Karen.
Photos of their ‘research expedition’ to the Lego exhibition in Brisbane are in the Building Autistic Wellbeing resource folder here.
Prepare Beforehand
- Lego projects to show and share
Furring Autistic Wellbeing
Mon 4pm-5.30pm | Lead – Jade Lee Jones | Co Lead – Kahlia
A SpIn (Special Interest) group on all things animals and pets.
Love animals? Come hang out with neurokin and talk all things pets!
Share pics of your furry (or scaly) friends, and let’s chat (or type) about how animals make life better.
We’ll have fun with questions like: If you could be any animal, what would it be and why? or What’s your best animal noise to scare someone off?
Bonus points for wearing your fave animal shirt and sharing pics of your pets for our virtual collage!
Prepare Beforehand
- Photos of pets sent beforehand if you can.
Autistic & ADHD | She/they
Crafting Autistic Wellbeing
Mon 6pm-7:30pm | Lead – Sharni | Co Lead – Lizzy
This group is centered on self-regulation through crafting, specifically crochet and knitting.
It provides a communal space for participants to engage in these calming activities, promoting relaxation and well-being.
Come along and meet fellow fiber artists and share with us with your WIPS.
Prepare Beforehand
- Wool
- Hooks or knitting needles
- Ideas for beginners: see Crafting Autistically online folder here
- WIPs
Gaming Autistic Wellbeing
Mon 6:30pm-8.30pm | Lead – KJ Wiseheart
This session is a facilitated group experience with the Table-Top Role Playing game (TTRPG) It’s dangerous to go… but let’s go anyway!
Are you ready for an adventure? It’s dangerous to go… but let’s go anyway!
Success will require teamwork, encouragement, and using your strengths wisely—plus turning your challenges into opportunities.
But no need to stress! This is a relaxed, easy-going game, where there’s no risk of character death, and all boundaries are firmly set before you begin.
A fun and playful way to connect with neurokin, suitable for beginners through to experienced players.
Prepare Beforehand
To play, you’ll need:- Three six-sided dice (or a free online dice-roller like this one or this one)
- One “mood tracker” per player (a coin, or a favourite small rock / seashell / gumnut… whatever!)
- One character sheet per player (available in google drive here)
- One “Here’s what’s happening” sheet (available in google drive here)
- Good vibes and good people!
AuDHD PDAer | They/them
Fostering Autistic Wellbeing
Wellbeing – Experiential Space
Tues 10-11:30am | Lead – Clare Foale | Co Lead – Linda
An experiential space focused on hanging out, storytelling, and connection to Neurokin.
We will also explore the SPACIOUS card deck, a beautiful resource offering gentle wisdom to create space in busy lives. Participants will have the opportunity to create their own Spacious card.
Bring along an object or photo of an something you like / are curious / drawn to … this can be as random as the shape the garden hose makes or your favourite teddy or flower … but don’t overthink it. And if all of this makes it feel too demanding, don’t worry – just bring yourself.
There will be a prize draw for two attendees to be gifted the beautiful resource of a set of Spacious Cards.
Prepare Beforehand
- Cardboard (size of large card)
- Craft materials – glue, medium of choice (paint, crayon, pencil, pastels etc), marker for text.
- An object or photo of an object you like / are curious / drawn to
AuDHD PDAer | She/her
Screening Autistic Wellbeing
SpIns
Tues 12pm-1pm | Lead – Alisa | Co-Lead – Linda
A SpIns (Special Interest) group on TV shows and Movies.
Let’s talk about everything from childhood favorites to hidden gems you love but others don’t quite get.
Whether it’s a classic, action-packed, or full of laughs, we’ll dive into what makes TV and film a source of comfort and joy.
We’ll kick off with fun intro questions like:
What’s your favorite show or movie from childhood?
What’s your current favorite?
And which one do you always go back to for comfort?
From there, we’ll explore discussion themes like how Australian films show the country’s changing identity, how movies reflect different cultures and values, and how TV shows respond (or don’t) to rapid social changes like Covid.
Plus, we’ll dig into those “Rotten Tomatoes” films that critics hate but you secretly love, and why!
Bonus: Share your “secret love” that you don’t usually talk about and find out what others are quietly loving, too!
Prepare Beforehand
- No preparation required
Empower Autism: Autistic Women & Non-Binary Peer Support Group
Connection
Tues 6:15-7:15pm | Lead – Karen | Co Lead – Linda
This twice a month peer collective invites you to join them to connect with neurokin.
We are a supportive and diverse group who all share the need to connect and the heart to support our neurokin.
Our format is acknowledgement of country, Intros/Checkins then open discussion.
This is an Empower Autism Autistic-led peer support space.
Prepare Beforehand
- Need to Register with Empower Autism to attend (just click the button on the right)
Dismantling Neuronormativity
Social Justice & Connection
Tues 7:30-8.30pm | Lead – Shazzy Tharby | Co Lead – Linda Tuxford-Adams
A discussion group lead by a panel of Autistic mental health professionals on challenging ableist and neuro-normative agendas in our codes, training, organisations and practice.
Prepare Beforehand
- Readings in Resource Folder
AuDHDer PDAer | She/they
Constructing Autistic Wellbeing
Play
Wed 10-11:30am | Lead – Linda Tuxford-Adams | Co Lead – Kahlia | Special Guest Expert – Freya Pinney
Therapeutic art-Alternate emotional expression and mindful experiencing using collage materials around the themes of favourite colour, inner child, my Autistic self and/or my favourite things.
Prepare Beforehand
- Magazines
- Themes: favourite colour, images with ‘child’ themes, images of favourite things, words
- Scissors, glue, visual diary
- Examples in Resource folder here
Autistic, ADHD & C-PTSD | She/they
AuDHD | She/her
Where’s Your Dopamine At?
SpIns
Wed 12-2pm | Lead – Michael Keady
A SpIn (Special Interest) group to share what you’re into right now with a captive and curious audience.
Welcome to Night Vale, TTRPGs, Interview with a Vampire, Star Wars, Lord of the Rings…whatever.
That weird or niche interest that people around you don’t share? This is your space!
Prepare Beforehand
- No preparation required
AuDHD | He/him
Cook Bake Chat
Wed 2-4pm | Lead – Karen Noble | Co Lead – Danielle
Not a cooking class – a safe space to play at cooking.
Do you love to experiment in the kitchen?
Do you have recipes to share or want to try new ones?
Try something new, share you baking triumphs or cooks epic fails.
A safe and friendly space to spend time or take risks together.
Prepare Beforehand
- Ingredients for the new recipe or favourite thing you are going to make.
- Photo to share of a ‘triumph’ dish.
Autistic & ADHD | She/her
Autistic Spoonies Peer Support: Autistic Women & Non-Binary+ w/ Co-occuring Chronic Illness
Connection
Wed 4-5:30pm | Lead – Emma Mitchell | Co Lead – Shazzy
This twice a month peer collective invites you to join them to connect with neurokin with co-occuring chronic health conditions.
We are a supportive and diverse group who all share the need to connect and the heart to support our neurokin.
Our format is Intros/Checkins then open discussion focused on sharing of experiences & resources.
This is a Neurokindred Autistic co-facilitated peer support space.
Prepare Beforehand
- Visual Story and Intro Prompt here
AuDHDer & Spoonie | She/her
AuDHDer PDAer | She/they
True Crime & Serial Killers
Wed 9-10:30am | Lead – El Payne
A SpIn (Special Interest) group.
The workshop will focus on Jeffrey Dahmer, a key interest for El within the realm of serial killers.
Participants will explore this dark and intense subject matter from a holistic and neuro-affirming perspective, encouraging open and authentic discussions about their interests.
Here’s what to expect:
- Introduction: El will start by sharing what draws them to the world of true crime and serial killers, with a special focus on Jeffrey Dahmer.
- Personal Reflection: You’ll have a chance to reflect on what first attracted you to true crime and serial killers. Think about how you express this interest—whether it’s through collections, t-shirts, or other memorabilia. Feel free to share pictures if you’d like!
- Discussion: We’ll discuss often-overlooked social and cultural factors in true crime stories. This is your chance to bring up any perspectives or insights that might not be widely recognized.
- Holistic Lens: El will introduce ways to approach these macabre topics through a holistic and neuro-affirming lens, celebrating our unique interests and perspectives.
Prepare Beforehand
- Recommendations for True Crime & Serial Killers in the Resources folder (just click the button to the right).
AuDHD C-PTSD BPD | They/she
Neuro-Everything Open Mic Night
SpIns
Wed 7pm-830pm | Lead – Selina Peng | Co Lead – Yajna
This is part of a monthly series of Zoom events to celebrate the infodump and the neurodivergent community.
Sign up on the night for a 7-minute open mic slot to infodump your heart out or just come along to watch/listen.
There is the option to infodump by text if preferred and one of the hosts will read it out.
This is a monthly Neurocraft Autistic-led event.
Prepare Beforehand
- No preparation required
Autistic, ADHD & PDA | She/her
Penning Autistic Wellbeing
Thurs 9-10:30am | Lead – Jade Lee | Co Lead – Shannon
This group offers alternate emotional expression and mindful experiencing through journaling and scriptotherapy (e.g. writing to heal).
Participants will engage in writing exercises to explore their thoughts, feelings, and experiences, promoting emotional well-being.
Sharing of your writing process as well accessible experiential activities.
Special guest Shannon Hilscher author of the upcoming ‘Living Authentically through Colour: For Autistic Women+ & Other Curious Minds’.
Prepare Beforehand
- Writing materials
- Magazines
- Scissors
- Glue
Autistic & ADHD | She/they
Autistic | She/her
Nature and Autistic Wellbeing
A SpIns (Special Interest) group on all things plants, gardening, nature.
How incorporating nature into your daily lives can help support your mental health and wellbeing.
Prepare Beforehand
- No preparation required
AuDHD | She/her
Narrative Approach to Career Development: Lets Explore Our Career Stories
Wellbeing
Thurs 2-3pm | Lead – Kory Sherland | Co Lead – Jade
We will look at how to craft a career that supports you in all ways, especially your wellbeing.
Using the narrative approach (looking back on our stories) we can reframe and reflect on our experiences and gently move forward towards a life of thriving and wellness.
We take a ‘whole of life’ and inclusive approach to the definition of career, so even if you don’t plan to work or are retired, you are still welcome to attend and I hope you do. 🙂
Please feel welcome to email through any questions in advance of the session to Kory.
Prepare Beforehand
- Please feel welcome email through any questions in advance of the session to Kory.
- Workbook provided to attendees in the Resource folder (just click the button on the right).
Autistic | She/her
Autistic & ADHD | She/they
F@ck the Patriarchy: Autistic Feminism Discussion Group
Thurs 7-8.30pm | Lead – Dr Simone Kolysh
A monthly Neurokindred Autistic Intersectional Feminism discussion group.
Dr Simone Kolysh will deliver a talk on Intersectionality 101.
This is continuing on from a previous groups and readings are in the resource folder.
This will be followed by a Q&A session and discussion.
Prepare Beforehand
- Readings (optional)
- Please submit discussion questions by email beforehand if you can as these will be the first introduced.
Autistic & ADHD| They/them 
Regulating Autistic Wellbeing
Wellbeing
Fri 9-10:30am | Lead – Melody Edwardson | Co Lead – Linda
A video presentation on Emotional Freedom Technique (EFT-Tapping) presented by Melody with explanation and benefits of tapping for neurokin, 2 tap along experiences- one talking , one drawing (no artistic talent required), resources and follow up.
A prize draw for 5 free Tapping sessions with Melody will be gifted in the prize draw to a session
attendee.
Prepare Beforehand
- Bottle of water
- 4 pieces of paper (any size)
- Pens, pencils, crayons (whatever you have at hand)
Autistic | She/her
Page-turning Autistic Wellbeing
Fri 1-2.30pm | Lead – Emma Mitchell | Co Lead – Danielle
This SpIns group invites you to explore the world of fantasy literature through the lens of Autistic wellbeing.
Participants will dive into the healing power of books and bibliotherapy, sharing their favourite reads and characters that resonate with their experiences.
Bring along your favourite book or blog recommendations and join a lively discussion on what makes reading such a powerful source of well-being.
Participants will be encouraged to share their favourite series, the most relatable characters, and why the act of reading holds a special place in their lives.
The session will also introduce the concept of bibliotherapy — how reading can be a therapeutic tool for self-reflection, connection, and emotional support.
Prepare Beforehand
- Books to share
AuDHDer & Spoonie | She/her
Nurturing Autistic Wellbeing
Fri 4-5pm | Lead – Alana Stewart | Co Lead – Debbie
This group process will support you to get an experiential introduction to Nature-Based Art Therapy and see experience more about how nature can support your wellbeing.
Bring a found nature item to the group and any type of materials to draw with and a few pieces of paper.
No art skills required at all, attendees are welcome to write instead if they feel more comfortable.
Prepare Beforehand
- Journal
- Drawing materials
- Found item from nature (on the ground not picked)
Neurodivergent | She/her
Owning Our Stories: Multicultural Autistics - Special Event
Social Justice and Connection
Fr 7-8.30pm | Leads – Helen Said & Sid Chandran | Co Lead -Shazzy
Discussion & celebration of Multicultural Autistics contributions.
Author Helen Said will discuss her published work ‘Five Egyptian Pounds’ current projects and advocacy passions.
They will discuss the importance of owning and telling our stories.
Sid Chandran will present on their published work ‘An Unspoken Story’ sharing his process and poignant parts from the text.
Both presentations will be followed by a Q&A.
Please submit questions beforehand if you can so the authors can be prepared.
A copy of each amazing work will be gifted in the prize draw.
Prepare Beforehand
- Pre-reading – Owning Our Stories Tip sheet – Authors Shared Information & Resources
Autistic | She/her
Autistic | He/him
Thank you to our Sponsors!
This event is FREE to attend and has been sponsored by Queensland Mental Health Week!
Thanks to their support, and some other generous donations, we’re able to provide resources for 50 attendees so far, and our goal is 150 attendees across Australia and internationally!
