Give the gift of education
this Christmas
Every child deserves to feel safe,
supported, and understood at school.
This Christmas, your gift will help
autistic children learn, belong, and succeed.
Meet Mahlia
Before joining AQ School, the transition to high school was overwhelming. The loud, unpredictable hallways, the constant movement, the pressure to keep up — it all became too much.
Her parents, Liz and David, describe watching their daughter slowly disappear:
“We had a daughter who was slowly hiding away from the world. She would spend hours curled up in a corner at school or hiding in the toilets. The stress of seeing our beautiful daughter become a numb shell of herself scared us.”
Each day was a battle — tears, phone calls, fear, and a young person desperate for safety. On some days she made it into the school grounds only to retreat and hide, unable to cope with the noise and confusion around her.
They were a family running out of hope.
A phone call that changed everything
In one of their most desperate moments, Liz reached out to Autism Queensland. She didn’t know what would happen next — only that something desperately needed to change.
From her very first day, AQ School wrapped Mahlia in kindness. Teachers, therapists, and support staff didn’t just see her; they understood her.
She was met with patience, compassion and gentle consistency. For the first time in years, Mahlia felt something she hadn’t felt in a long time:
A place where she didn’t have to pretend.
A place where her needs made sense.
A place where she finally belonged.
“AQ told us they would help Mahlia find herself again — and they did.
The kindness, understanding, and support shown to her was the turning point she needed.”
Finding her voice again
When Mahlia arrived, she was quiet, avoided eye contact, and kept her head down. She was a young person who had once loved acting and dancing, yet the overwhelm she carried had taken that spark away.
Slowly, gently, she began to re-engage.
With the right support and predictable routines, Mahlia started making friends, rediscovering her interests, and achieving things she once never imagined.
In her own words:
“This is the first place where I feel understood… At AQ, I finally feel safe. I don’t have to hide anymore.”
Today, Mahlia laughs with her peers, encourages younger students, and steps confidently into new challenges. She even MCed the Year 12 Graduation — something her family once believed would be impossible.
“I like coming to school now. I know what to expect. I feel safe.
I am proud of the things I have achieved… I want to keep acting on stage.”
Her mum Liz shared:
“AQ took a broken child and gently put her pieces back together. Piece by piece, they helped her glow again. We are so grateful.”
The AQ Foundation Bursary
The AQ Foundation Bursary ensures financial hardship never stands in the way of a child’s right to learn, belong, and succeed.
Funded entirely through donations the Bursary provides financial assistance toward school fees for students from Prep to Year 12. Available at all AQ School campuses, including Distance Education which supports regional and remote families.
Every bursary awarded opens the door for a child to learn in an environment designed for their needs — surrounded by people who understand and celebrate them.
Your gift today can unlock a child’s potential.
This Christmas, help a child feel safe, supported, and understood.
Help change a child’s life this Christmas
1 in 25 autistic students are not attending school at all.
1 in 3 autistic primary students change schools trying to find a place to belong.
Almost half of autistic teens change schools seeking understanding and friendship.
AQ School
At AQ School, students learn in small, supportive classes (with only 6–8 students in each). Here, children can be themselves. Their differences are understood. Their special interests are celebrated. Each child’s program is tailored to their strengths, needs, and interests — supported by teachers, therapists, and support staff working together to help every child thrive.
For families, AQ School is more than a place of learning — it is a lifeline — a safe, inclusive environment where children re-engage with education, rediscover confidence, make friends, and finally feel they belong.
As parents, we all hope our child’s school journey will be filled with happiness, learning, and friendships. But for many autistic children, this isn’t the reality.
Mahlia's possible. Please, help change a
child’s future this Christmas.
Your impact
When you donate to the AQ Foundation Bursary, you help:
A child re-engage with learning.
A family regain hope.
A young person discover their confidence and potential.
Your generosity opens doors to learning, friendship, and hope.
Together, we can change a child’s future. Your gift will help ensure financial hardship never stops a child from going to school.
