Girl Squad: why we created an NDIS social group just for teenage girls on the Gold Coast

This one started with a question we kept hearing.

"Do you have anything just for girls?"

It came from parents. From support coordinators. From the girls themselves. And for a while, the honest answer was no.

So we changed that.

Girl Squad is our Saturday NDIS social and skills group designed exclusively for neurodiverse teenage girls aged 14 to 19 on the Gold Coast. It runs every Saturday from 9am to 3pm at our Nerang Hub, with monthly community excursions chosen by the group themselves.

Why a girls-only group matters

Mixed groups are great for a lot of participants. But for many teenage girls, particularly those who are neurodivergent, a mixed environment can add a layer of social complexity that gets in the way of actually connecting.

Teenage girls with autism, ADHD, or other neurodivergent profiles often face a specific kind of pressure. They are frequently better at masking than their male peers, which means their support needs can go unrecognised for longer. They may have learned to people-please, stay quiet, or perform social confidence they do not actually feel.

A space designed just for them, with peers who genuinely get it, can feel completely different.

What makes Girl Squad different

The big thing about Girl Squad is that the girls shape it themselves.

Every session includes time at the end for the group to decide what is happening next. Once a month, everyone votes on a community excursion and makes it happen together. That is not just a nice touch. It is deliberate. Building self-advocacy, the ability to know what you want and feel confident enough to say it, is at the core of everything we do in this group.

Sessions mix social time, arts and crafts, skill building, and community access. The pace is set by the group. The vibe is genuinely fun.

What we are working toward underneath all of it: communication skills, real-world decision making, peer connection, confidence, and the kind of self-advocacy that carries into everyday life at home, at school, and eventually at work.

Who Girl Squad is for

Girl Squad is designed for neurodiverse teenage girls aged 14 to 19 who want more than just a day program. It suits participants who:

• Are looking for genuine friendships with like-minded peers

• Want a space that feels safe and not overwhelming

• Are working on social skills, communication, or confidence

• Benefit from routine and structure but also want a genuine say in what happens

• Have not quite found their place in mixed or larger group settings

The group runs at a 1:2 support ratio and is funded through Core Supports under Community Access. Some Capacity Building line items may also apply depending on the participant's plan.

Built because families asked for it

We did not create Girl Squad because it was on a program checklist. We created it because family after family told us their daughter needed something like this and it did not exist.

That felt like reason enough.

If you have a teenage daughter on the NDIS who is looking for connection, confidence, and a Saturday that actually feels worth getting up for, we would love to hear from you.

We are currently taking expressions of interest for Girl Squad. Spots are limited.

Express your interest in Girl Squad here.

Or get in touch with the team directly if you have questions first.