Empowering Neurodivergent Young Adults to Organise and Thrive

"No one tells you how to be an adult – let alone an adult with disability."

This Privacy Policy explains how Making Connections Toowoomba collects, uses, discloses, and protects your personal information when you use our website at www.makingconnectionstoowoomba.com.au . We are committed to safeguarding your privacy and complying with the Australian Privacy Principles (APPs) outlined in the Privacy Act 1988 (Cth). 1. What Personal Information We Collect We may collect personal information such as: Your name Email address Phone number Background information about our clients NDIS or funding information Details about services you enquire about or participate in Feedback, comments, or communications Any other information you voluntarily provide (e.g. via forms, emails, or phone) We may also collect non-identifiable data such as browser type, IP address, and usage statistics. 2. How We Collect Your Information We collect personal information directly from you when you: Submit an enquiry or intake form via our website Contact us by phone or email Sign up for programs, events, or services Join our mailing list or respond to a survey Engage with us on social media Our website may also use cookies and analytics tools to gather basic visitor data. 3. Why We Collect Your Information We collect and use your personal information to: Provide you with our services, programs, and supports Communicate with you regarding bookings, enquiries, or updates Manage billing, invoicing, and funding processes (including NDIS-related information) Improve our services and understand community needs Share program information, newsletters, or updates with you (you can opt out at any time) In addition, we only collect information that is necessary to: a) Deliver the most appropriate support for you or your young person b) Make adjustments or accommodations where needed c) Improve the quality and effectiveness of our services d) Communicate with you about bookings, changes, and updates e) Meet legal and safety obligations (e.g. mandatory reporting) f) Manage administration, invoicing, and record-keeping 4. Third-Party Systems and Providers We use secure, password-protected systems to manage your information. These systems are only accessed by authorised staff and align with Australian privacy laws and NDIS standards. We also use trusted third-party platforms including: Splose – a secure cloud-based platform used for clinical notes, scheduling, and administrative management. Splose complies with the Australian Privacy Principles and other international privacy standards (e.g. GDPR, HIPAA). For more information, please refer to Splose’s Privacy Policy . Mailchimp – for newsletters and email communication Xero – for invoicing and payment processing These providers are selected for their strong privacy and security practices. 5. Access and Correction You have the right to: a) Access your personal information b) Request corrections if anything is inaccurate or incomplete c) Withdraw your consent at any time (note: this may affect our ability to provide services) d) Request a copy of our full Privacy & Confidentiality Policy To do so, please contact us using the details at the bottom of this page. We will respond to your request within a reasonable timeframe, typically within 30 days. 6. Cookies and Analytics Our website may use cookies to improve functionality and gather visitor statistics through tools like Google Analytics. You can manage or disable cookies via your browser settings. 7. Collection of Anonymous Information We may use cookies, tracking pixels, or transparent GIF files to measure the success of our online advertising and understand how visitors interact with our website. These tools, help us identify which advertisements lead people to our site. The data collected is anonymous and used for statistical purposes only. It may include: Your server address Top-level domain name (e.g. .com, .gov, .au) Date, time and duration of visit Pages visited Referring website Browser type Protocol used (e.g. HTTP, FTP) You can disable cookies via your browser settings, though our website will still be accessible without them. 8. Use and Disclosure of Personal Information We may disclose your personal information to: Our team members, administrative staff, allied health professionals, and contractors involved in providing services and supports to you through Making Connections Toowoomba Trusted third-party service providers we use for scheduling, clinical notes, invoicing, communication, or digital storage (e.g. Microsoft 365, Splose, Mailchimp, Xero) IT providers, web hosting services, and cloud storage platforms that support our systems Accountants, legal advisors, or professional consultants for business, compliance, or auditing purposes Government or regulatory bodies where legally required (e.g. for mandatory reporting or NDIS compliance) Other service providers or organisations, with your express consent (e.g. school staff, support coordinators, or allied health providers) We will only use or disclose your personal information for the purposes it was collected unless: You have provided permission for another use; It is required or authorised by law; It is necessary to perform the service agreement we have entered into with you; It supports our legitimate operations and does not override your rights. 8.1 Use and Disclosure Relating to AI Some of our clinical and administrative processes us e privacy-protected artificial intelligence (AI) tools to support service planning, documentation, and communication. These tools are integrated within platforms such as Splose (o ur practice management system) and Heidi Health and NovoNote (our digital therapy assistants). Features may include drafting summaries, generating reports, or assisting with therapy planning. All data remains within secure, compliant systems, and is handled in accordance with Australian privacy laws and NDIS standards. For further details, please see: Splose Privacy Policy Heidi Health Privacy Policy NovoNote Use of General AI Tools (e.g. OpenAI): We may also occasionally use external general AI tools, such as OpenAI (ChatGPT, CoPilot or Gemini), to assist with drafting broad content like templates, resource ideas, or communication examples. These tools are not used to process or input any personal or identifying information about clients. Their use is limited to general, non-clinical purposes and does not involve data that could identify you or your child. You may contact us if you wish to seek clarification or withdraw your consent for the use of these integrated AI tools in handling your information. 9. Third-Party Services and Links Our site may contain links to external websites. Please note that we are not responsible for the privacy practices or content of those third-party sites. Where third-party services operate outside Australia, we take reasonable steps to ensure your data is handled in accordance with Australian privacy standards. 9. Complaints and Enquiries If you have any questions about this Privacy Policy, or believe we have breached your privacy, please contact us directly. We take all concerns seriously and aim to resolve them promptly. If you are not satisfied with our response, you may contact the Office of the Australian Information Commissioner (OAIC) via www.oaic.gov.au . 10. Contact Us Making Connections Toowoomba Email: fiona@makingconnectionstoowoomba.com.au 11. Updates to This Policy We may update this Privacy Policy from time to time. The most recent version will always be available on our website, with the effective date listed at the top.

The Importance of Catch Ups in Building Quality Friendships At Making Connections Toowoomba (MCT), our social skills programs focus on helping young people understand the characteristics of a quality friendship. One important element we teach is the value of catching up . Friendships, like all meaningful relationships, require effort from both people – and catching up in person plays an essential role in maintaining and strengthening these connections. Why Catch Ups Matter Catching up gives us the opportunity to share experiences, deepen trust, and reinforce the bond between friends . It’s during these moments that friendships are nurtured, mutual interests are explored, and memories are built. For neurodivergent young people, learning the purpose and benefits of catch ups can help make social connections more intentional, rewarding and long lasting. Understanding Individual Differences Catch ups come with an important reminder: just as no two friendships are identical, catching up looks different for everyone. Some people enjoy catching up weekly – or even more often – while for others, the occasional catch up is enough. It’s important to recognise that we all have different social needs and varying " social batteries. " Some young people recharge quickly and look for regular connection, while others need more time between social interactions. Pushing beyond our social limits can lead to fatigue, burnout and social avoidance, which can affect the quality of the friendship, and our ability to consolidate an emerging friendship. Making friends with people who respect our individual social thresholds helps build sustainable, quality friendships. It’s also important to remember that the way we catch up can look different too. For some, a catch up might mean doing activities together the entire time, while for others, simply sitting near a friend, sharing space quietly, is enough to feel connected. Both are valid ways of nurturing friendships. Catch Ups vs. Hanging Out It’s important to distinguish between "hanging out" and "catching up." Hanging out is often more spontaneous and casual, with no set structure or time limit. It usually relies heavily on ongoing conversation without a clear shared activity, which, while enjoyable for some, can sometimes feel overwhelming or stressful for neurodivergent individuals (not all, but often). In contrast, catching up usually has a more intentional purpose: connecting and spending time together, often through a shared activity around a common interest. Planning a catch up around something specific to do provides a natural focus for conversation and interaction, which can ease social pressure. For those learning to build friendships, an intentional, structured catch up can often be a more comfortable and successful way to strengthen connections — especially in the early stages of a new friendship. For catch ups to be successful, especially for young people learning these skills, it helps to have a few strategies in place: Plan ahead – agree on a time, place, and activity and communicate this clearly Choose an activity-based meet up – having something to do can ease social pressure (e.g. if you both like bowling, movies, or art/craft) Set time limits – keeping catch ups short can help manage social energy and have everyone leaving wanting more Have a backup plan – having a Plan B ensures there’s still something to do if things don’t go to plan or if someone gets bored At Making Connections Toowoomba, we believe teaching these strategies helps young people feel more confident in making and keeping friends. If you want to learn more about how to support your child, teen, or young adult in developing meaningful friendships, explore our social skills programs: Prep and Grade 1: PEERS for Early Years Primary School Grades 2 to Grades 8: Social Skills Program Teens 14–18: PEERS for Teens Young Adults 18–30: PEERS for Adults

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