Important insights from the NDIS & our outcomes report & feedback
Why does camp exist?
Autistic young people face significant challenges in forming and maintaining social connections, often leading to isolation, anxiety, and reduced opportunities for peer interaction. Many autistic individuals struggle with:
Understanding social cues and the unwritten rules of social interaction.
Sensory processing differences, which make traditional social environments overwhelming.
Limited access to structured social opportunities where they can engage in meaningful connections with like-minded peers.
Research highlights that autistic individuals experience higher rates of loneliness and social exclusion, which can negatively impact mental health and overall well-being (Cleary et al., 2023). The importance of autistic peer connections is well-documented, with studies showing that autistic-to-autistic interactions foster greater comfort, self-acceptance, and improved social confidence (Crompton et al., 2020).
Despite these findings, there is a gap in structured, autism-friendly social programs that focus on fostering genuine peer connections in an affirming and supportive environment.
Spectrum Adventures camps are developed through co-design with autistic individuals, families, and allied health professionals, ensuring the program remains relevant, responsive, and affirming.
Research tells us that social connectedness and a sense of belonging amongst autistic community are protective factors for mental health and wellbeing (Botha, Dibb & Frost 2022).
Furthermore, it is important to recognise that deliberate design of space is significant – when Autistic people are supported in a comfortable and relaxing social environment, they have the opportunity to build their communication skills and find self-acceptance with peers (Crompton, Hallett, et al., 2020; Sinclair, 2010; Davis & Crompton, 2021).
Sinclair (2021) further expands on this highlighting the need for physical space being carefully planned to accommodate autistic needs such as people’s orientation, and sensory needs to come together in a new shared space, offering opportunity to experience interactions and maintain and recognise other people’s boundaries.
Spectrum Adventures Camps address this unmet need by providing:
Safe, structured social settings where autistic young people can connect through shared interests and facilitated group activities.
Peer-led mentorship, ensuring participants learn social strategies from neurodivergent role models.
Small-group experiences that accommodate individual communication preferences and support natural, low-pressure socialization.
This in turn delivers results as follows:
Empowering autistic individuals to engage in community life by fostering social participation and peer connection.
Enhancing mental well-being through reducing isolation and providing inclusive, supportive spaces.
Addressing a critical service gap, ensuring autistic young people have opportunities for structured social engagement.
Furthermore, Spectrum Adventures supports key national strategies, including:
Australia’s Disability Strategy 2021–2031, which prioritizes inclusive communities and improved mental health outcomes.
The National Autism Strategy, emphasizing the importance of social inclusion, peer relationships, and identity development for autistic individuals.
The NDIS Review (2024), which highlights the importance of Foundational Supports, including community-based peer engagement opportunities.
NDIS funded camp insights
In the design process for Spectrum Adventures’ camp program, we sought guidance from the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) to ensure that our approach aligned with best practices and available support for autistic children and their families. The NDIS, through its resources and funding models, has been instrumental in shaping our strategy for delivering a family-inclusive, whole-of-community service aimed at addressing the unique needs of autistic young people.
During our research phase, we reviewed several NDIS-published articles highlighting the funding of autism camps, which provided us with both assurance and inspiration for our model. Notably, the experiences shared by the Netherclift familyNDIS News & Events – Netherclift Family say autism training was a total gamechangerand the impact of family-centered autism camps NDIS News & Events – Family Camps are proving to be life-changing for kids with ASDsreinforced the effectiveness of family-supported camps. These case studies gave us confidence in offering a similar support model in South East Queensland and guided our decision to design camps that incorporate a holistic, whole-of-family approach.
In line with the NDIS’s commitment to supporting autism services, we identified two key areas of funding available to us to deliver camps for the autistic community. These funding streams, coupled with the resources available on the NDIS website, have been critical in ensuring the sustainability and accessibility of our programs.
Moreover, in order to accommodate families and siblings alongside autistic young people, we recognized the need for a personal, non-NDIS contribution toward costs. This contribution, which covers accommodation, meals, activities, and resources, is essential for the successful delivery of the camp program. We communicated this pricing structure to participants clearly, ensuring transparency while maintaining the affordability and quality of the camp experience.
Through this approach, we have ensured that Spectrum Adventures’ camp program not only supports autistic individuals but also fosters meaningful connections within the family and broader community, consistent with the NDIS’s vision of inclusive and community-driven support for people with disabilities.
“Watching our son transform from being angry & ashamed of our camp to accepting & making friends. Engaging with his new friends, eating with them, playing board games with them which he normally hates & exchanging phone numbers to remain in contact. Mind blowing miracle that made me so so proud.”
Parent feedback – August 2024
I appreciated that you encouraged us to be our authentic selves and to participate as much or as little as we liked. Thank you so much for all your efforts (all the staff too) – I could see the comraderie between the staff which was heartwarming.”
parent feedback april 2024
Delivering Capacity Building
Over time, Spectrum Adventures has continued to enhance the resources and support offered through our camp program, with a focus on providing additional capacity-building opportunities for our attendees. This includes the integration of Allied Health group workshops, which have become an integral part of our camp delivery. These workshops not only support the young people in attendance but also provide carers and siblings with the opportunity to engage in learning, ask questions, and gain valuable insights in a shared, supportive space.
In addition to these resources, we have made significant investments in the ongoing development of our team of independent support workers. We implemented an employment strategy aimed at hiring primarily from within the Neurodivergent community.
This strategy has allowed us to create meaningful employment opportunities for autistic individuals, including teachers, support workers, allied health practitioners, and carers. By doing so, we have elevated the value of lived experience within peer circles and support delivery, ensuring that our staff have the first-hand knowledge and insight necessary to best support our community.
This commitment to fostering inclusive employment opportunities directly aligns with the objectives outlined in Australia’s Disability Strategy, which aims to increase employment opportunities for people with disabilities. The strategy emphasizes the importance of providing greater independence and financial control for individuals with disabilities, thereby contributing to improved living standards. The full report on Australia’s Disability Strategy can be accessed here.
However, with recent changes to legislation regarding the NDIS, particularly from October 2024, we have observed increased challenges for some families and plan managers in accessing community and social funding that has been previously allocated and is still listed in the NDIS Pricing Arrangements. This has created confusion, and we are awaiting further updates from the NDIS regarding their operational guidelines and pricing arrangements. We look forward to receiving more clarity and understanding in this area.
Furthermore, we are eager to see the outcomes of the ongoing development of foundational supports and are actively seeking any available opportunities or grants that can help us continue to support our autistic community and facilitate greater connection and engagement.
Black, M. H., Kuzminski, R., Wang, J., Ang, J., Lee, C., Hafidzuddin, S., & McGarry, S. (2024). Experiences of Friendships for Individuals on the Autism Spectrum: A Scoping Review. Review Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders, 11(1), 184-209.
Botha, M., Dibb, B., & Frost, D. M. (2022). ‘It’s being a part of a grand tradition, a grand counter-culture which involves communities’: A qualitative investigation of autistic community connectedness. National Autistic Society, Volume 26, Issue 8.
Cleary, M., West, S., Kornhaber, R., & McLean, L. (2023). Dispersed Responsibility of a Collective Problem: Autism, Suicidality and the Failure of Knowledge Translation. Issues in Mental Health Nursing, 44(8), 787-792.
Crompton C. J., Hallett S., Ropar D., Flynn E., & Fletcher-Watson S. (2020). ‘I never realised everybody felt as happy as I do when I am around autistic people’: A thematic analysis of autistic adults’ relationships with autistic and neurotypical friends and family. Autism, 24, 1438–1448.
Davis, R., & Crompton, C. J. (2021). What Do New Findings About Social Interaction in Autistic Adults Mean for Neurodevelopmental Research? Perspectives on Psychological Science, 16(3), 649-653.
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Hodge, C. J., Duerden, M. D., Layland, E. K., Lacanienta, A., Goates, M. C., & Niu, X. M. (2017). The Association Between Family Leisure and Family Quality of Life: A MetaAnalysis of Data from Parents and Adolescents. Journal of Family Theory &Review, 9(3), 328-346.
Ibrahim, A. (2020). The Impact of Summer Camp on Social Skills for Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder. Journal of Education and Practice, Vol.11, No.17.
Sinclair J. (2010). Being autistic together. Disability Studies Quarterly, 30(10).
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Walker, A. N., Barry, T. D., & Bader, S. H. (2010). Therapist and Parent Ratings of Changes in Adaptive Social Skills Following a Summer Treatment Camp for Children with Autism Spectrum Disorders: A Preliminary Study. Child & Youth Care Forum, 39(5), 305-322.
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