Peer support, STEAM workshops, and social sessions for neurodivergent youth in Sydney.
Based in Sydney’s northern beaches, neurodivergent youth from across the city can find their passion and their people within our programs.
Feed your curiosity. Find your people.
STEAM workshops
Our STEAM Saturday workshops blend science, technology, and design into fun themed activities. Think creative builds, hands-on experiments, and more. Our team are experts in their fields (scientists, designers, programmers) and love to share their interests with our young people.
Social sessions and events
Step into a supportive and fun environment where everyone is free to be themselves. Meet new, like-minded friends and connect over shared special interests, enjoy excursions across Sydney, and form connections that last a lifetime.
Table Top Role Playing Group
Strategy. Social. Fun. This group gives participants an opportunity to connect, collaborate, and cooperate in a supportive environment. Problem-solving skills, communication, and confidence-building are all core benefits of TTRPGs.
One-to-One Peer Support
Coming soon, our peer support sessions provide a safe, welcoming space where connections form naturally, in ways that feel right for each individual. Participants learn from neurodivergent mentors who share strategies and ‘life hacks’ that have worked for them.
Creating engaging learning environments for everyone.
Through our programs, we aim to provide a space where our participants can be themselves. This is how we do it.
Neurodivergent-led
Each member of our team has lived and learned experience of neurodivergence. We get it because we live it. Each of our programs are designed by and for neurodivergent minds.
Supportive environment
Everyone is welcome at FutureTech. We want our people to be their incredible authentic selves which includes using strategies to feel comfortable, safe, and supported.
Like-minded peers
Our programs are designed for neurodivergent youth. Joining us means joining a community of neurodivergent peers who celebrate you for who you are.
Strengths-based and affirming
We adapt our environment and program delivery in response to and in collaboration with our participants strengths, interests and preferences. We are deliberate in considering sensory, communication, and social preferences.
Accessibility at FutureTech.
We know that it can be daunting coming into a new environment. We encourage every participant to be authentically themselves, that’s why we’ve chosen our site based on its facilities and encourage participants to use their personal strategies to ensure they feel comfortable throughout our programs.
A place where you belong
The Seaforth Village Community Centre features an accessible bathroom, a 'chill out' area and a small outdoor area for participants to enjoy if they need a break from the sensory environment. Every participant is encouraged to take some time if they need it.
Our strategies are your strategies
Our mentors model the use of strategies such as noise-cancelling headphones to show our participants that it’s okay to utilise their own strategies like stimming, use of quiet spaces, taking breaks and any other tools that help them feel comfortable.
Visual stories
Familiarise yourself with the FutureTech environment and experience. Our downloadable PDFs can help to reduce anxiety around unfamiliar or new things, particularly for neurodivergent folks.
↗ STEAM Saturday Seaforth
↗ RPG Group Seaforth
↗ STEAM Saturdays Virtual
How our autism-friendly workshops work.
Each of our sessions incorporate both learning and social time, designed using our unique framework that utilises evidence-based autism-friendly practice. Our participants are encouraged to learn, connect, and explore in a way that works for them.
Engage
Together, we explore various STEAM topics to understand how they can be applied in the real world. We welcome questions, embrace hands-on learning, and encourage thinking differently. Our mentors specialise in their disciplines and are eager to share what they know with our young people.
Connect
Our programs focus on shared experience, not forced interaction. Connection happens when people feel safe to be themselves. We have dedicated time to foster friendships, enjoy each other’s company, and share interests. We recognise that neurodivergent people socialise differently and tailor spaces to suit what they need.
Accommodate
Participation looks different for everyone each week and that's okay, some participants chat, parallel play, connect through games or interests, sometimes participants use our space to rest and reset after a challenging week. However you show up, we will meet you there.
Get a taste of a day with FutureTech.
Discover all the fun we get up to in our STEAM workshops in Sydney and our Table Top Role Playing Groups for neurodivergent youth.
Know what to expect, get a feel for our space, and meet some friendly faces in our visual story guides for the FutureTech experience.
Frequently Asked Questions
Find answers to common questions about our face-to-face programs.
What is FutureTech’s cancellation policy?
We try to stay flexible – things happen and some days our participants just aren’t up to coming in. However, we do need to ensure that we can pay our mentors for their time and offer our programs for many years to come. That’s why we have a 24-hour cancellation period. Participants who give 24 hours or more notice of cancellation will not be charged.
Do I need to stay with my young person when they attend a FutureTech program?
This is up to you! Our staff are trained in supporting neurodivergent young people so there is no need to stay, but if your presence makes your young person feel more comfortable, you’re welcome to stick around. Many of our parents use drop-off/pick-up time as an opportunity to connect with other parents. We welcome and encourage this, as everyone needs to feel supported and part of a community.
How large are the groups in FutureTech’s face-to-face programs?
We keep groups small – between 10–15 participants per session. This helps us get to know each participant’s strengths, interests, and preferences extremely well and provides a less crowded environment so everyone feels comfortable.
Do I need to have previous experience in STEAM to take part?
No, all of our workshops are designed with scaffolding, extensions and autism-friendly design principles, meaning anyone can take part regardless of prior knowledge or existing skills.
What is STEAM?
STEAM stands for science, technology, engineering, arts, and maths. Each term at FutureTech we explore a specific topic through the lens of each of these disciplines to show our participants the vast applications of STEAM in the real world.
Can NDIS funding be used to access FutureTech programs?
Self- and plan-managed NDIS participants can use their funding to access FutureTech. If you are an NDIA-managed NDIS participant, you cannot use your NDIS funding to pay for our programs.
CORE or CAPACITY BUILDING budgets can be used to access FutureTech. Typically these categories are:
- Category 2: CORE – Assistance with Social and Community Participation
- Category 9: CAPACITY BUILDING – Increased Social and Community Participation
- Category 11: CAPACITY BUILDING - Relationships
- Category 15: CAPACITY BUILDING – Improved Daily Living
Each year we can provide a progress report and quote to be taken to an NDIS plan review and we can provide a letter of support and quote if you are in the process of applying for NDIS.
If you have any questions regarding FutureTech and NDIS, please book a call with our team to discuss further.
What if my child has other disabilities?
We aim to provide a supportive and accessible environment for everyone, regardless of their disability. We understand that neurodivergent children and young people may have other disabilities.. Please let us know about all of your young person’s support needs when we chat with you at intake.
What age group do FutureTech’s programs cater to?
We have various groups running for ages 8–25 years.
Still have questions?
Get in touch with us to understand our programs for neurodivergent young people and how we can accommodate the young people in your life.
Hear from our participants and their parents.
Join us in Sydney’s northern beaches for our autism-friendly workshops and social sessions.
Seaforth Village Community Centre
550 Sydney Rd, Seaforth NSW 2092