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NASWAS

Navigating life as a trans, gender diverse, queer, and/or neurodivergent person can be challenging, particularly when it comes to engaging in complex systems and services. To top it off, there can be experiences of invalidation, stigma and discrimination which cause further stress and anxiety. At Cathartic Collaborations, we offer a specialised Neuroqueer Affirming Social Work Advocacy Services (NASWAS) tailored for trans, gender diverse, queer, and/or neurodivergent individuals. Our goal is to help you feel empowered, connect you with affirming services and support you to navigate them in a way that feels safe.

 

How We Can Support You

 

In the initial consultation, we will work together to build a plan that addresses your unique needs and goals considering the current systems and services you are engaged with and others that you wish to be connected with. We will also explore areas where you need support to be able to communicate your needs and/or advocacy to ensure you are getting affirming support, accommodations and/or outcomes.

 

Neuroqueer Affirming Social Work Advocacy Services (NASWAS) are primarily offered in person at our Brisbane office, via phone and/or video call. This is to reduce fees for clients wishing to access the service. While outreach is generally not offered, exceptions may be made for ongoing clients needing in-person advocacy for key appointments or meetings. In such cases, travel will be considered based on circumstances, with applicable travel fees.

 

Neuroqueer Affirming Social Work Advocacy Services (NASWAS) may involve the following:

  • Writing Advocacy Letters: We provide tailored advocacy letters to support you to communicate with the services and systems you are engaged with, highlighting your needs and rights.

  • Liaison and Application Support: We assist you with navigating services and systems, completing applications, and challenging decisions that don’t meet your needs.

  • Building a Support Team: We help you find and book initial appointments with professionals who are affirming and accessible. We coordinate between professionals (e.g., health practitioners, schools) for a unified approach. We attend appointments with you to support you to advocate for your needs – primarily via phone and video call or in person as discussed above.

  • Regular Check-ins: We communicate with you about progress on your goals and tasks that are completed.

 

As a trans, gender diverse, queer, and/or neurodivergent individual you may need to engage with many services and systems where advocacy may be required to ensure you receive accessible, inclusive, and affirming support, accommodations and/or outcomes:

 

Healthcare/Disability Service Advocacy

  • General Practitioners (GPs): Access to gender-affirming healthcare, neurodivergent-friendly practices, and support for mental health.

  • Mental Health Services: Access to affirming Social Workers, Accredited Mental Health Social Workers, Psychologists, Occupational Therapists and Counsellors who understand the unique challenges of neurodivergent, trans, gender diverse and queer identities.

  • Specialists (e.g., Psychiatrists, Physiotherapists, Endocrinologists, Speech Pathologists): Referral processes, access to specialists that are LGBTQIA+ and/or neurodivergent-affirming, exploring options around social or medical transitioning, mental health, and physical health needs.

  • Hospitals: Support during admissions, ensuring respectful treatment of gender identity and neurodivergent needs.

  • NDIS (National Disability Insurance Scheme): Accessing funding, securing neurodivergent-affirming supports, and ensuring coverage of necessary services. Assisting with NDIS applications, preparing reports for funding requests, and attending NDIS planning meetings. Helping you challenge decisions that fail to provide adequate support.

 

Education Advocacy

  • Schools (Primary and Secondary): Advocacy for gender-affirming policies (e.g., use of pronouns, uniform accommodations, affirming bathroom access), learning adjustments (e.g., access to sensory items, extra time on exams) for neurodivergent students, and support with bullying or discrimination.

  • Universities and TAFE: Ensuring access to accommodations such as extended deadlines, sensory-friendly environments, and support for gender-affirming and neurodivergent needs.

 

Employment Advocacy Workplace Advocacy:

  • Assistance with workplace accommodations, flexible working arrangements, and challenging discriminatory practices related to gender identity or neurodivergence.

  • Fair Work Ombudsman: Support with workplace disputes, rights under employment law, and access to leave for medical or mental health reasons.

 

Housing Advocacy

  • Housing Services (Public and Private): Accessing inclusive housing programs and ensuring discrimination-free rental applications.

  • Assisting in disputes with landlords or housing providers, particularly when discrimination or accessibility issues arise.

 

Government and Social Services Advocacy

  • Centrelink: Support with navigating benefits and payments, such as disability support and job seeker payments.

  • Medicare: Navigating gender-affirming treatments and mental health plans.

  • Registry of Births, Deaths and Marriages: Advocacy in cases of identity document changes, name changes, and navigating bureaucratic challenges related to gender identity (Please note: You will need to pay for the fees for application costs of documentation change requests)

 

Family and Domestic Violence Support Advocacy

  • Domestic Violence Services: Securing gender-affirming and neurodivergent-friendly support for individuals experiencing family or domestic violence.

  • Police and Justice Systems: Advocacy in reporting and navigating the legal system as a trans, gender diverse, queer, or neurodivergent individual in cases of abuse or discrimination.

 

Youth Services Advocacy

  • Out-of-Home Care Services: Support for trans, gender diverse, queer, or neurodivergent young people transitioning out of foster care or detention, to access affirming housing, educational opportunities, and employment programs.

 

Social Inclusion Services

  • Referrals to LGBTQIA+ and/or neurodivergent-affirming organisations that provide opportunities for social inclusion (e.g., social groups)

 

At Cathartic Collaborations, we’re here to help you move from feeling stuck to making real progress, all while affirming your identity and ensuring you receive the support, accommodations and outcomes you need. Together, we can work to make the systems around you more accessible, inclusive, and affirming.

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