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About Us
Where Lived Experience Meets Professional Expertise to Empower Authentic Lives.
Neurodivergent Empowered is a pioneering organisation dedicated to uplifting the neurodivergent community through a range of inclusive and affirming programs. Founded in 2022 by Tanya Hicks, a passionate advocate and neurodivergent individual herself, the organisation is built on the mission to empower, educate, and inspire 1 million autistic and ADHD individuals to live lives full of authentic joy and connection.
Our activities are rooted in a neurodivergent-affirming approach that celebrates individuality, fosters community, and provides practical, supportive programs. We believe in the importance of creating environments where neurodivergent individuals can thrive without conforming to neurotypical expectations. To that end, we employ only neurodivergent team members who embody and model the empowerment, nervous system optimisation, and sensory accommodations our clients seek.
Key Programs and Initiatives
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Phoenix Friends and Phoenix Connections: Our interest-based friendship groups for children and adult programs aim to build meaningful social connections within a supportive, affirming environment. These programs provide spaces where participants can engage in shared activities, find camaraderie, and build relationships rooted in mutual understanding.
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Emerging Leaders Program: Designed for neurodivergent adults aged 18-27, this initiative focuses on fostering leadership, confidence, and self-awareness. The program offers guidance in understanding and embracing one’s neurotype while developing practical skills for personal growth.
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Nervous System Nourishment Group Programs: Our tailored programs emphasise nervous system optimisation and sensory accommodations, designed to address the unique needs of neurodivergent individuals. Each session focuses on developing a positive autistic identity, integrating gentle movement, sensory exploration, and mindful breath work. These practices empower participants to embrace their bodies and sensory experiences, fostering self-compassion and emotional well-being.
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Annual Birthday Celebrations: We understand that many autistic children might not receive birthday invitations, so we ensure that every client has the opportunity to attend an annual birthday party. These celebrations are a testament to our belief in fostering joyful moments and nurturing self-worth.
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Addiction Recovery Support: Partnering with Smart Recovery Australia, we have developed a program specifically tailored for neurodivergent brains to support recovery from alcohol and substance mis-use. This initiative is rooted in understanding the distinct experiences of neurodivergent individuals and providing them with empowering tools for long-term well-being.
Neurodivergent Empowered is more than just a service provider; it is a thriving community where individuals and families find understanding, acceptance, and guidance. We incorporate leading-edge research, neuroscience-backed practices, and personal lived experiences to create a safe space where everyone can discover and embrace their unique strengths.
Our commitment to accessibility, inclusion, and advocacy extends beyond our programs. We actively invest in pro bono services, having contributed to more than $190,505 to individuals without funding. Additionally, our team’s passion for community leadership has earned us multiple local, national and international awards, recognising our impact and dedication.
At Neurodivergent Empowered, we celebrate the individuality of every person we support. Our programs are tailored to empower each participant on their path to authentic living, where they can develop their self-understanding, nervous system optimisation, and connection to a community that values them just as they are.
Our Story
Neurodivergent Empowered is the brainchild of Tanya Hicks, an accomplished Neurodivergent Woman and devoted mother to a Neurodivergent child. With an impressive track record in various professional arenas such as national management, neurodivergent-affirming therapy and international sporting representation, Tanya recognised a pressing need within our community.
She passionately embarked on a mission to create a haven where Neurodivergent individuals could truly thrive, and her vision is clear—to empower Neurodivergent children, teenagers, and adults to embrace their unique selves, foster self-confidence, and discover genuine happiness. Alongside her dedicated team, they are translating this vision into a powerful reality.
Tanya is proud Premium and Disability Entrepreneur Member of the Disability Leadership Institute at the highest 'Experienced Leader' Leadership Level.
Our Neurodivergent Team:
Experienced, NDIS-Qualified, and Empowering
At Neurodivergent Empowered, every team member is neurodivergent and deeply committed to empowering our clients. As an experienced and qualified team of dedicated, passionate neurodivergent individuals, our journey is enriched by our collective roles as parents, professionals, and advocates within the neurodivergent community.
Our team members have not only developed the skills, strategies, and supports that empower them to live authentic, fulfilled lives, but they also meet all the necessary requirements for working in regulated environments, such as the NDIS. This includes fulfilling all role responsibilities, from administrative tasks to compliance with the highest standards of care.
We’ve recognised the need for a safe, neurodivergent-affirming space where individuals can find comfort for their nervous systems and confidently explore their unique identities. Each team member serves as a living example of how neurodivergent individuals can thrive. They have navigated environments that weren’t designed for their brains, sensory systems, or nervous systems and have emerged as role models who are fully equipped to support and guide our clients.
Our mission is to provide a sanctuary where neurodivergent individuals and their families can embrace their true selves. Through neurodivergent-affirming therapeutic approaches, we empower individuals to thrive in a society that often holds neurotypical expectations. The personal and professional growth of our team members allows them to offer mentorship, guidance, and practical strategies, ensuring they meet the diverse needs of those they support.
Our lived experience and shared understanding ensure that we can guide our clients in an affirming, supportive way. This alignment of experience and expertise helps clients explore their authenticity, embrace their neurodivergent identities, and foster well-being in all aspects of life.
Our 4 Pillar Neurodivergent Empowered Blueprint
Empowerment from a Neurodivergent-Affirming Approach
Self-Awareness
Discover the intricate workings of your unique brain and understand your individual Neurology. Explore your Sensory Profile and identify your specific Nervous System needs. Immerse yourself in the Neurodiversity Paradigm, seeking out and valuing neurodivergent voices.
Self-Confidence
Embrace your authenticity and let it shine for all to see. Find comfort in our safe space facility, the 'Nest,' and surround yourself with Neurodivergent-affirming allies, neurokin, relationships, and supports.
Self-Honesty
Embrace your true self without the influence of external masks or conditioning. Rediscover who you were before others defined you and explore your identity beyond the need to fit in. Release your masks and stims, and confront any internalised ableism, revealing your authentic identity.
Self-Love
Embody the actions and conscious processes that nourish your unique and beautiful neurodivergent soul blueprint. Through self-love, optimize your well-being and fully embrace your authentic self.
Promoting masking, loss of autonomy, or loss of personal agency.
Eliminating stimming behaviours.
Developing goals that seek to “cure” neurodivergent behaviours.
Our Service does NOT involve:
Our Service DOES involve:
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Seeking to understand the needs of neurodivergent children from their perspective and adapting the environment to meet these needs
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Validating individuals feelings, helping them recognise their triggers, and assisting in identifying calming strategies
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Guiding individuals to better understand the emotions, behaviours, and communication of other people around them, so they can better choose how they want to respond
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Encouraging neurodivergent rather than neurotypical listening skills
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Understanding and accommodating individual sensory needs
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Understanding and respecting neurodivergent communication styles
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Assisting in developing self-advocacy and problem-solving skills
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Recognising the need for processing time and safe spaces
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Encouraging safe self-regulation skills, including stimming
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Adopting neurodiversity affirming language
“The team at NE have made such an incredible difference to my family. It's my sons happy place, his safe place, where he knows without a doubt his needs will be met and an immense amount of fun will be had...”
Alexa Young, CA