About Neurodivergent Empowered

Neurodivergent Empowered is a neurodivergent‑led, award‑winning organisation built by and for autistic, ADHD, and other neurodivergent people. Founded in 2020 by Tanya Hicks, it grew alongside its sister organisation, Sparkly Aliens Inc., with one clear purpose: to empower neurodivergent people of all ages to live with authenticity, joy, and genuine connection.

What makes us different is that our work is grounded in lived experience. Every program and service is designed with authenticity, safety, and empowerment at its core, and is guided by the latest neurodiversity‑affirming and trauma‑informed approaches. Tanya brings not only her extensive training in areas such as NLP, EMDR, hypnosis, positive psychology, and trauma therapy, but also her lived perspective as an autistic woman and mother.

See more here

SERVICES & PROGRAMS 


The Nest
A therapist‑led, neurodivergent‑affirming space for children, teens, and adults. Here, clients build emotional regulation, create sensory safety, and develop meaningful connections in an environment designed to support their unique nervous systems.

Wellness & Embodiment Programs

• NOURISH Connection Through Calm – A blend of mindfulness, sensory exploration, and gentle movement that supports nervous system nourishment and self‑compassion.
  MOVEMENT EmPOWERed – Positive identity‑building through embodied practices, including the use of silent headphones and approaches adapted for sensory needs, hypermobility, and POTS.

We work with your existing therapy and support team.

We believe collaboration is the key to lasting empowerment. That’s why we work hand‑in‑hand with every client’s therapy and support team.

• Collaboration as Standard Practice: We take the strategies you’re learning in therapy and create real‑life opportunities to practise them with the guidance of our Therapy Assistants and Therapists.
• Shared Notes After Every Session: With client permission, we share notes so your whole team stays aligned, ensuring consistency and support across the board.
• From Learning to Living: Our approach bridges the gap between therapy sessions and daily life, helping clients move from learning strategies to confidently living them.

View our latest Collaborative Partnerships document here.

Awards & Recognition (Global + National)

Our work has been recognised across Australia and internationally:

• 2025 Global Women Changing the World Awards (London): Gold Winner in Children’s Education; Bronze for Advocacy & Impact
• 2024 International Stevie Awards (USA): Gold Winner for Female Executive (Sparkly Aliens Inc.), Silver Winner at Neurodivergent Empowered; Silver Winner Woman of the Year
• 2024 AusMumPreneur Awards (Australia): Gold Winner (Overcoming the Odds), Silver (Disabled Business Excellence)
• 2023 Queensland Autistic Business Awards: Provider of the Year (ND/Autistic Excellence)
• 2022 Sunshine Coast Community Gala Awards: Emerging Community Leader

Joining Neurodivergent Empowered means stepping into a community where your whole self is seen and valued. You’ll be welcomed into a space where people truly understand you, and where the path forward is built on joy, connection, and grounded self‑trust.

Training/Certification of Note:

➡️ Whole Team Training: Every Team Member has completed Professional Certificate of Neurodivergent Affirming Practices

➡️ Professional Member of the “Welcome Here” Initiative and completion and embodiment of ACON Pride Training

➡️ LGBTQ+ Awareness and Inclusion Training by other Clinical Psychologists including:

• Trans-Affirming Workplaces
• LQBTQ – Inclusive Workplaces
• LQBTQ – Inclusive Customer Service- Asking Questions on Gender and Sexuality
• Neuroqueer Identities

➡️ Ongoing CPD in:

• Using Minecraft as a Digital Sand Tray in Individual Play Therapy
• Using Roblox in Play Therapy
• Applying Sensory Processing in Play Therapy
• Utilising Dungeons and Dragons Through an Adlerian Play Therapy Lens
• Leveraging Anime Narratives in Play Therapy
• Video Games in Play Therapy
• Neurodiversity and Child-Centered Play Therapy using Minecraft
• Understanding Thematic Play in the Digital World
• Reframing screen time via an autistic cultural lens

➡️ PDA Professional Development through PDA expert Kristy Forbes:

• PDA: It’s not what you think
• Understanding PDA: Pathological Demand Avoidance
• How to engage demand avoid children with learning at home (when school is not an option)
• Understanding and Using Declarative Language with PDA Children- Relational Trauma and PDA: Healing Through Connection
• Emotional Regulation: Tools and Strategies for PDA Individuals
• Understanding the process of PDA Burnout
• The Power of Play: Therapeutic Play Strategies for PDA Autistic Children
• Control Vs Equity: Understanding PDA and the illusion of control seeking

➡️ Professional Development in:

• Understanding Anxiety: A strength-based approach
• Autism & Anxiety: Helping our Children to Thrive
• Autism, Masking and Pathologising (In the Classroom)
• Managing Stress & Meltdowns
• Alison Davies Brains = Behaviours Course
• Supporting Children with Mood Disorders: A Neurodiversity-Affirming Prescriptive Play Therapy Approach
• Innovative Attachment – Centred Interventions to Treat Trauma, Emotional Dysregulation, and Behavioural Challenges
• Tele-Play the Preschool Way!
• Play Therapy Online Course
• Longing for Home: Understanding Suicidality in Autistic Youth
• For our Therapists – the Neurodivergent Affirming Professional Certificate