Wellbeing skillshops

Wellbeing Skillshops for neurodiverse students

All current students welcome - no formal diagnosis required!

Neurodiversity means different things to different people and we welcome all neurodivergent students to attend Skillshops, regardless of whether you have a formal diagnosis or not

This might include students who identify as Autistic, or identify with ADHD, AuDHD, Asperger's, Specific Learning Disability, Dyslexia, Dyscalculia, Tourette's Syndrome, acquired brain injury, dementia, PTSD, or otherwise neurodivergent.

We aim to provide an accessible experience for all neurodivergent students including those who are deaf, hard of hearing, blind or with low vision.

Overview

• Small group programs for neurodivergent students enrolled at Macquarie University
• Provide an opportunity to connect with neurodivergent peers and learn about available university supports
• Run during Sessions 1 and 2 teaching weeks
• Aligned with the undergraduate lifecycle

Details

Students can attend one or more of our three Skillshops:

SURESTART

Wednesday 10am  |  Hybrid - In Person OR Online

• A five-week orientation program for neurodivergent students in their very FIRST enrolled session of study at Macquarie University - commences in Kickstart Week
• Topic highlights include understanding expectations and terminology at university
• To find out more, register your interest in SureStart skillshop

ASPIRE

Wednesday 12pm  |  Online only

• A 12-week program designed for students who relate to the impacts of Autism, which supports adjusting to university
• Topic highlights include managing change, groupwork, and perfectionism
• To find out more, register your interest in the Aspire Skillshop

FOCUS

Tuesday 12pm  |  Online only

• A 12-week program designed for students who relate to the impacts of Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD)
• Topic highlights include time management, breaking up assessment tasks and procrastination
• To find out more, register your interest in the Focus Skillshop

Activities

Each of the Skillshops vary slightly but they all generally involve:

• Wellbeing check-ins
• Weekly assessment task checks
• A topic of interest, such as procrastination, perfectionism, and managing study stress
• Occasional live Q&As with support teams across the university

Students are invited to ask questions and share strategies. However, we recognise that participation can take many forms, including quiet internal reflection, and this is most welcomed.

If you relate to more than one Skillshop then come along to as many that interest you.

Students can register to find out more without any obligation to attend and remember, a formal diagnosis is NOT required.

New for 2026!

Wellbeing Thrive Hub activations for Assistive Technology Support: (dates to be confirmed)

• Drop-in sessions at the 18WW Student Wellbeing Thrive Hub
• Meet with a member of the Accessibility Team and trouble-shoot questions around Assistive Technology supports for reading, writing and organising notes
• Supporting students with Dyslexia, Specific Learning Disability, ADHD, Autism and any student who experiences study impacts on reading and writing
• More information to come!

Timetable

Register for a Skillshop

Register your interest by completing the online form below. Once you submit the form you will be directed to iLearn where you can access the location/online link, handouts and other content.

It's okay to register even if you're not sure you can attend.

• NEW students only: Register your interest in SureStart Skillshop
• Register your interest in Aspire and Focus Skillshops
• Details for Thrive Hub Activations for Assistive Technology coming soon

Enquiries

For more information, have a look at Skillshops Details and FAQs.

For further enquiries, or if you require help to complete the online registration form, contact the Accessibility Service:

T:  +61 (2) 9850 7497

E:  accessibility@mq.edu.au.