Advocate-ED

Developing Self-Advocacy and Peer Advocacy Skillsfor Success in Tertiary Education

Empowering student voices

Advocate-ED is a neuroaffirming program designed to empower Autistic and neurodivergent tertiary students to develop self-advocacy and peer advocacy skills that support success throughout their educational journey.

Through practical learning, reflection, and collaboration, students develop the confidence to understand and communicate their strengths, needs, goals, and preferences, while learning strategies to advocate effectively without compromising their wellbeing. The program also fosters respectful relationships with peers, educators, and support workers, encouraging students to advocate not only for themselves but alongside and in support of one another.

By strengthening confidence, connection, and belonging, Advocate-ED is design to support student engagement, wellbeing, satisfaction, retention, and educational success while fostering a more connected, inclusive, and supporting learning community.

“At its heart, Advocate-ED recognises that advocacy is about more than speaking up. It is about understanding yourself, building confidence, developing meaningful connections, and having the knowledge and skills to navigate tertiary education in ways that are authentic, neuroaffirming and sustainable.

When students genuinely belong, they are more likely to engage, persist, and succeed. Advocate-ED supports in creating conditions where Autistic and neurodivergent students don’t simply participate in tertiary education but have the opportunity to genuinely belong and thrive.”

– Dr. Aida Hurem (Manager, Corporate and Community Education)

Key details and what to expect

For your organisation

Advocate-ED partners with tertiary education providers to create inclusive and neuroaffirming learning environments where Autistic and neurodivergent students can genuinely belong, engage, and thrive. By strengthening both student self-advocacy and peer advocacy, the program is designed to support improved student confidence, wellbeing, engagement, satisfaction, retention, and educational success.

Advocate-ED also builds the capability of educators and student support staff to respond to Autistic and neurodivergent students with confidence, consistency, and understanding. Through a shared understanding of neuroaffirming practice and self-advocacy, institutions can foster stronger relationships, clearer communication, reduced conflict and greater trust across their learning community, creating an environment where all students have the opportunity to success and thrive.