About

Making Connections Toowoomba provides fun, safe, and supportive Social Group environments where neurodivergent children, teens and young adults can make connections with likeminded peers. We intentionally provide Social Groups for young people on the autism spectrum, as this approach is supported by research that has found when autistic people socialise and learn new skills together, they report greater feelings of comfort, belonging, and cross-neurotype understanding (Crompton et al., 2020).

We keep our groups intentionally small to ensure that every participant has the best possible chance to make meaningful connections. This allows us to offer high-quality resources and tailor activities to the unique dynamics of each group and the individuals within them. Rest assured, we invest countless hours in careful planning and programming to make every session purposeful and fun for our participants.

While our Social Groups provide a natural platform to practice social communication skills and incidental social coaching does occur, it's important to note that they do not include explicit social skills teaching or caregiver training. For those seeking a more structured approach with progress monitoring parent sessions, we recommend exploring our Social Skills Groups.

Groups may be claimable for self or plan-managed NDIS participants. Please contact us for further details.

Out of the Box

Grades 7-9

At 'Out of the Box,' we cherish your uniqueness and encourage your out-of-the-box thinking. This is a safe and supportive space where you can be yourself and celebrate your creativity. Through a series of engaging tasks, puzzles, and challenges, you'll be inspired to nurture your imagination, foster innovation, and revel in your originality.

 Lateral thinking, the art of problem-solving through innovation and creativity, is a crucial life skill. It enhances self-esteem, improves relationships, helps you learn how to work with others, and broadens your horizons to new possibilities. Our group is your gateway to a world of fun games, challenges, and activities designed to promote collaboration, compromise, and social problem-solving. Each session brings a fresh set of activities, carefully crafted to inspire you to 'think outside the box' while working collaboratively with your peers.

 'Out of the Box' not only about innovation & creativity, most of all, it’s about HAVING FUN with like-minded people!

 Please note: Parents, carers and support workers do not attend.

Benefits of a lateral thinking social group for young people on the autism spectrum include opportunities to build skills in: 

- Communication and collaboration

- Social problem-solving

- Negotiation and good sportsmanship

- Social flexibility

- Listening to and respecting others' views

- Self-advocacy

2024 DETAILS

Day: Every 2nd Monday (term time)

Time: 4pm to 5.30pm

Places available: ONE place available

(Please see the EOI form to go on the waiting list.)

Teen Tech Club

Grades 8 to 10

This is a group where neurodivergent teens come together in a safe and supported environment to make connections over their shared interest in technology. Instead of gaming, coding, tinkering and designing in isolation, this is a space to share interests face-to-face, in a social setting. Most importantly, this is an opportunity for participants to pursue their passion, develop confidence and feel valued.

Note: Parents, carers and support workers do not attend.

Benefits of social technology groups

Research overwhelmingly supports small group contexts for young people on the autism spectrum to practise social competencies such as: 

- Effective communication 

- Teamwork

- Negotiation

- Sharing specialist knowledge & listening to others

- Coping with stress, frustration 

- Learning to fail and experiment

- Being flexible, creative

- Problem-solving, critical thinking

- Building social connections

2024 DETAILS

Day: Every 2nd Tuesday (term time)

Time: 6pm to 8pm

Devices: Participants BYO device

All other resources, including a light meal is included.



Places available: TWO places available

(Please see the EOI form to go on the waiting list.)

Our choice of scheduling is intentional. From experience, we have found that older participants are more receptive to evening sessions, and this time minimises disruptions to school and other commitments. 

Saturday Art Circle

Grades 10+

Our Saturday Art Circle is a visual arts and crafts group purposefully designed for young people on the autism spectrum and/or with ADHD. The group may also suit young people experiencing social anxiety, who would like to meet like-minded peers in a safe environment. 

A different medium will be introduced most sessions, and participants have opportunities to explore what they have learned in their own, unique ways. The Art Circles values ‘beautiful mistakes’ and there is no expectation to produce a particular outcome or standard, or to join the group with a certain skill set. Our groups learn through discovery, curiosity, and our support of one another.

Benefits of a Facilitated Social Group

 Opportunities to practise:

• Conversation skills
• Social problem solving
• Negotiation
• Good sportsmanship
• Sharing of specialist knowledge while listening to others

And to develop:

• Confidence, connection & self-esteem
• Opportunities to make friends with likeminded people

2024 DETAILS

Day: Every 2nd Saturday (term time)

Time: 9am to 11am

Places available: Currently FULL

(Please see the EOI form to go on the waiting list.)

Out-of-the-Box

Grade 11 to Young Adults

*NEW GROUP – Starting Term 2!*

‘Out of the Box’ is a social group for neurodivergent teens from Grades 11 and 12 through to University students. This is a safe and supportive space where we celebrate and encourage creativity and out-of-the-box thinking. Through a variety of unique tasks, puzzles, and challenges, participants are encouraged to nurture their imagination, innovation, and originality.

Lateral thinking, the art of solving problems through innovation and creativity, is a crucial life skill. It not only boosts self-esteem and improves relationships but also broadens our horizons to new possibilities. This group is a gateway to a world of fun games, challenges, and activities designed to foster collaboration and compromise. Each session offers a fresh set of activities, deliberately created to inspire you to 'think outside the box' while working collaboratively with others and honing your social problem-solving skills.

‘Out of the Box’ values innovation and creativity, but most of all HAVING FUN with like-minded peers!

Note: Parents, carers and support workers do not attend.

Benefits of Lateral Thinking Group Activities

Regular opportunities to think creatively in group contexts provide opportunities to practise:

• Communication and collaboration skills

• Social problem solving

• Negotiation

• Good sportsmanship

• Social flexibility

• Listening to and respecting the views of others

• Self-advocacy
And to develop:

• Confidence, connection & self-esteem

• Opportunities to make friends with likeminded people

 2024 DETAILS

Day: Every 2nd Friday (term time)

Time: 4pm to 6pm

Places available (max. 6-8): *New Group - taking enrolments*



The Monday Meeting Place

Young Adults (18-25 yrs)

The aim of The Monday Meeting Place social group is to provide a supportive environment where young adults on the autism spectrum come together to make connections with likeminded people. This group is best suited to motivated young adults who may have trouble meeting like-minded people or who are experiencing social anxiety. 

Our groups remain intentionally small (between 4-8 participants) so we can provide high quality and purposeful sessions and ensure our participants have the best possible opportunities to make connections and feel safe to be themselves.

Each week, the group engage in a variety of social activities and opportunities to develop their social confidence and connectedness. These opportunities range from: group-based games, paired and joint projects, boardgames and tech to trivia nights and community outings.

Note: Parents, carers and support workers do not attend.

Benefits of a Facilitated Social Group

Benefits of Social Groups for young people on the autism spectrum include opportunities to practise:

• Conversation skills
• Social problem solving
• Negotiation
• Good sportsmanship
• Sharing of specialist knowledge while listening to others

And to develop:

• Confidence, connection & self-esteem
• Opportunities to make friends with likeminded people

2024 DETAILS

Day: Every 2nd Monday evening

Time: 6pm to 8pm

Places available: *New Group - 5 places available*

The Friday Meeting Place

Grade 11 to Young Adults

The aim of The Meeting Place Social group is to provide a supportive environment where young people on the autism spectrum come together to make connections with similar-aged teens and young adults. This group is best suited to motivated young people aged 16+ years who may have trouble meeting like-minded people or who are experiencing social anxiety. 

Our groups remain intentionally small (between 4-8 participants) so we can provide high quality and purposeful sessions and ensure our participants have the best possible opportunities to make connections and feel safe to be themselves.

 Each week, the group work together to co-design social activities and opportunities to develop their social confidence and connecedness. These opportunities range from: group-based games, paired and joint projects, community-based outings, cooking sessions and volunteer opportunities within the community.

Note: Parents, carers and support workers do not attend.

Benefits of a Facilitated Social Group

Benefits of Social Groups for young people on the autism spectrum include opportunities to practise:

• Conversation skills
• Social problem solving
• Negotiation
• Good sportsmanship
• Sharing of specialist knowledge while listening to others

And to develop:

• Confidence, connection & self-esteem
• Opportunities to make friends with likeminded people

2024 DETAILS

Day: Every 2nd Friday

Time: 9am to 11am 

Places available: Currently FULL

(Please see the EOI form to go on the waiting list.)

Thursday Art Circle

Grade 11 to Young Adults

Our Friday Art Circle is a visual arts and crafts group purposefully designed for older teens and young adults on the autism spectrum and/or with ADHD. The group may also suit those who are experiencing social anxiety or social isolation, who would like to meet like-minded peers in a safe and supported environment. 

A different medium will be introduced most sessions, and participants have opportunities to explore what they have learned in their own, unique ways. The Art Circles values ‘beautiful mistakes’ and there is no expectation to produce a particular outcome or standard, or to join the group with a certain skill set. Our groups learn through discovery, curiosity, and our support of one another.

Note: Parents, carers and support workers do not attend.

Benefits of a Facilitated Social Group

Benefits of Social Groups for young people on the autism spectrum include opportunities to practise:

• Conversation skills
• Social problem solving
• Negotiation
• Good sportsmanship
• Sharing of specialist knowledge while listening to others

And to develop:

• Confidence, connection & self-esteem
• Opportunities to make friends with likeminded people

2024 DETAILS

Day: Every 2nd Thursday (term time)

Time: 4pm to 6pm

Places available: Currently FULL

(Please see the EOI form to go on the waiting list.)

The difference between quality Social Skills Program and Social Activities