Fiona Goodall - Making Connections Toowoomba

03/09/2026

School transition advice is most useful when it is grounded in an understanding of what actually happens inside schools.

As a Specialist Educator who has worked directly in school settings for more than two decades, I understand the realities for families, students and teachers.

These webinars are designed to help you understand what information schools genuinely need, which questions are useful to ask, what reasonable preparation can look like, and how to support your child without overwhelming them.

The content is practical, realistic and neuroaffirming. You’ll leave knowing what you can begin doing now, how to work constructively with your child’s school and how to make the beginning of 2027 feel more familiar and manageable.

Register here: www.makingconnectionstoowoomba.com.au/webinars---workshops

Please note: Live attendance is strongly encouraged because this information is specifically designed for this time of year. If you can’t attend live, a recording can be provided and will remain available for seven days. We want to encourage you to watch and use the information now, while there is still time to act.

01/09/2026

In our Sense & Create program, our OT has been helping each group member understand their own unique sensory profile—what their nervous system enjoys or seeks, what helps them feel settled and ready, and the sensory sparks and triggers they experience in everyday life.

The group has also been designing and creating practical sensory resources to trial throughout the week, noticing what helps, when it helps and why.

There is no one-size-fits-all sensory toolbox. Over time, each young person is building a personalised collection of strategies that genuinely suits their body, needs and daily life—supporting self-understanding, regulation and self-advocacy.

30/08/2026

In our Making Mindful Connections program, the children have been learning to notice what is happening in their bodies, thoughts, feelings and surroundings.

By learning about the brain, body and stress response—and taking part in hands-on activities and guided meditations—they’ve been practising how to focus their attention on the present moment. They’re also learning that when their minds wander, as all minds do, they can gently guide their attention back.

It has been wonderful to see how thoughtfully and enthusiastically they’ve embraced these practices, both during our sessions and at home. What a curious, committed and truly wonderful group of young people!

29/08/2026

Schools are already beginning to plan classes, orientation activities, key staff, supports and transition arrangements for next year. This makes September and October an important time to ensure your child—and their individual strengths, needs and supports—are on the school’s radar.

Now is the time to ask questions, identify key people and environments, arrange additional or quieter visits, discuss reasonable adjustments and gather the photos and information your child will need. By January, many arrangements are already in place and there is far less time to prepare gradually.

Having worked in specialist autism roles and schools for more than 25 years, I know how much of a difference thoughtful, early preparation can make, particularly for students who find change, uncertainty, sensory demands or unfamiliar environments difficult.

Register here: www.makingconnectionstoowoomba.com.au/webinars---workshops

Please note: We strongly encourage families to attend live because this information is designed to be acted on now. If you can’t attend live, a recording can be provided and will remain available for seven days. The short access period is intended to encourage you to watch and use the information while this important transition-planning window is still open.

28/08/2026

Our Move ’N Mix group has been practising how we get to know one another through sharing information and asking follow-up questions. 😊

Using our “What’s in the Box?” activity, group members took turns choosing a question, sharing their answer and then listening as others asked related who, what, where, when, why or how questions.

Sharing information helps other people learn more about us, while asking follow-up questions shows interest, keeps the conversation going and helps us discover interests and experiences we may have in common—all important building blocks for friendship and connection.

26/08/2026

It may feel too early to think about next year, but this is exactly when some of the most valuable transition preparation can happen.

Right now, there is still time to ask questions, identify key people and environments, arrange additional visits, take photos, communicate your child’s needs and gradually introduce new routines. By January, the new school year is almost upon us and there is far less time to prepare calmly and thoughtfully.

After more than 25 years working in inclusive education roles, I know what a difference early preparation can make, particularly for children and teenagers who find change, uncertainty, sensory demands or new environments difficult.

This isn’t about anticipating problems or preparing for every possibility. It’s about using this important window to reduce uncertainty and help create a more familiar, predictable and manageable start to 2027.

Register here: www.makingconnectionstoowoomba.com.au/webinars---workshops

Please note: We strongly encourage families to attend live because this information is specifically designed to be acted on at this time of year. If you can’t attend live, a recording can be provided and will remain available for seven days. The short access period is simply to encourage you to watch and use the information now—we genuinely don’t want you to miss this valuable preparation window.

25/08/2026

This term, our Work Ready participants are taking the next step—putting their skills into practice through work experience shifts in our local community.

Last week, two participants had the wonderful opportunity to learn the ins and outs of working at Toowoomba’s beautiful local bookshop, The Book Tree.

We would like to publicly thank Ron and his team for supporting inclusion in our community and demonstrating how mutually beneficial partnerships with small local businesses can be.

The experience exceeded everyone’s expectations. The participants found The Book Tree calm, welcoming and supportive. Ron and his team assumed competence from the outset, while providing meaningful, manageable tasks that allowed both participants to make a genuine contribution to the business.

Afterwards, one participant shared that his anxiety had gone from “very high to zero.” The experience helped him recognise the kinds of workplaces that could be a good fit for him.

The other described The Book Tree as a “perfect” fit. He loved being surrounded by books—including many connected to his interests—and appreciated being able to work quietly and independently while still feeling that his contribution mattered.

These experiences are incredibly meaningful. They give participants the opportunity to discover their strengths, build confidence and learn what the right workplace might look and feel like. They also showcase just how capable neurodivergent people are—and the valuable contribution they can make when given the right opportunity and the right fit.

Thank you, The Book Tree, for welcoming our participants and supporting genuine inclusion in our local community.

19/08/2026

Autism is the top risk factor for bullying
Autistic students are the most bullied group within the neurodivergent population. The signs aren't always obvious. This is a great resource covering what to watch for, how to respond, and what your child's school should be doing.

www.autismaustralia.org.au/navigating-autism/autism-and-bullying

Learn how bullying affects autistic children and discover effective strategies to prevent, address, and cope with bullying in school.

17/08/2026

Neurodivergent people are at significantly greater risk of bullying—up to three times more likely than their neurotypical peers.

This may be linked to differences in communication and social interaction, visible supports or accommodations, and difficulty recognising subtle bullying, exclusion or manipulation.

Every person deserves to feel safe, respected for who they are and included. Bullying and violence are never OK.

1. Safety is non-negotiable
Every young person deserves to feel physically, psychologically, emotionally and digitally safe at school, home and in the community.

2. Hurtful behaviour has real impact
Teasing, exclusion, intimidation and aggression affect nervous systems, confidence, and long-term wellbeing.

3. Differences are not invitations for harm
Neurodivergence, disability, identity, and personality differences must be met with respect — not targeting.

4. Power imbalances matter
Bullying is about repeated and intentional harm where someone feels unable to defend themselves. It's a power imbalance - there must be someone 'in your corner' to help you.

5. Strong boundaries protect everyone
Teaching what feels safe and respectful is so important, from an early age - and how to advocate for our boundaries without guilt.

Don't try to handle bullying alone, because you're not alone.

14/08/2026

Bullying No Way Week is coming up next week so we wanted to share this great new resource with our community — the newly updated Bullying No Way website.

It’s designed to support Australian schools, families, and young people with evidence-informed information and practical strategies to understand, prevent, and respond to bullying and cyberbullying.

You can explore it here:
https://www.bullyingnoway.gov.au/

Why this matters to us at MCT:
Research consistently shows that neurodivergent young people experience higher rates of bullying than their peers. This can include misunderstanding social differences, exclusion, and targeted behaviours over time.
That’s why we place such a strong focus on:
• building safe, supported group environments
• explicitly teaching social understanding and self-advocacy
• helping young people find “their people” — spaces where they feel accepted and understood

Resources like this are an important part of the bigger picture — supporting not just individuals, but the systems around them.

If you’re a parent, educator, or young person, it’s well worth a look.

Supporting Australian school communities with evidence-informed information about understanding, preventing and responding to bullying and cyberbullying.