Neurodivergent-affirming play, emotional development, and safe connection.
Approach: We are an NDIS-registered, disability-specific provider, offering therapist-led, interest-based group sessions designed specifically for autistic and neurodivergent children. Our Phoenix Friends programs are proudly autistic-led, delivered by a neurodivergent team, and grounded in lived experience, clinical knowledge, and neurodivergent-affirming practices.
These programs are designed specifically to empower neurodivergent children to thrive in a world that is not designed for their minds or bodies. Our approach embraces each child’s unique brain and nervous system, supporting development in a way that feels safe, affirming, and joyful.
Environment: All sessions take place within The Nest, our dedicated safe space—a sensory-aware, emotionally supportive environment where children can feel grounded, connected, and free to be their authentic selves.
We use interest-based groups as a foundation because the autistic and neurodivergent mind learns best when motivated by curiosity and joy. While the group topic—whether animals, art, digital creativity, nature play, or movement—might vary, the therapeutic focus is constant, with key developmental skills and neurodivergent-specific strategies intentionally woven into every session.
Goals: Phoenix Friends supports a wide range of developmental and functional goals, including those aligned with NDIS Early Childhood Early Intervention (ECEI) objectives, such as (but not limited to): building functional independence and life skills, enhancing communication, developing social-emotional understanding and connection, strengthening emotional literacy and regulation, encouraging engagement, participation, and inclusion in group settings, expanding play skills and imagination, improving physical coordination and motor planning, supporting sensory regulation and awareness, promoting safe peer relationships and boundary setting, developing routines and managing transitions, and building confidence, identity, and autonomy.
Empowerment: We also address a broad range of NDIS plan goals, including but not limited to: confidence and self-esteem building, task initiation, focus, and follow-through, flexible thinking and problem-solving, collaboration, turn-taking, and perspective-taking, strengthening co-regulation and interoceptive awareness, and nurturing self-advocacy and positive identity development.
At Phoenix Friends, we don’t prioritise compliance—we prioritise connection, safety, and empowerment. Every group is thoughtfully created to meet children where they’re at and support them to grow at their own pace, in ways that align with their neurotype and unique needs.
These are not just group sessions—they are therapeutic, interest-based, neurodivergent-affirming developmental programs that help children build the capacity, confidence, and connection to live with joy and authenticity.
