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Refer a Participant to Ignition Gamers

Your clients deserve a social life that feels safe, genuine, and built around who they are. Ignition Gamers gives autistic teens and young adults in Canberra a place to belong — and the confidence to grow.

Make a referral

What This Service Includes

Here is exactly what your client gets when you refer them to Ignition Gamers.

  • Regular face to face gaming sessions in a structured, welcoming environment in Canberra
  • A mix of video games, tabletop games, and structured social activities tailored to the group
  • Sessions designed to build social confidence, communication skills, and emotional regulation
  • Support from trained Peer Support Workers who have lived experience of autism
  • A consistent, predictable program structure that helps participants feel safe and prepared
  • Access to the Ignition Gamers Discord community for connection between sessions
  • A low pressure environment where participants can engage at their own pace
  • Opportunities to develop practical life skills through collaborative and creative gameplay
  • A genuinely inclusive space where neurodivergent young people are celebrated, not just accommodated
  • NDIS funding compatible — sessions can be registered under Social and Community Participation supports, and any other area that matches learning life skills.
Ignition Gamers Canberra (1)

Who This Is For

Ignition Gamers is designed specifically for young people who find traditional social settings difficult. If any of the following sounds like your client, we would love to hear from you.

  • Are autistic teens or young adults aged 14 to 35
  • Are based in or near Canberra and able to attend in person sessions
  • Struggle with social anxiety, communication, or connecting with peers in traditional social settings
  • Are working towards NDIS goals under Social and Community Participation or Improved Daily Living
  • Are self funded or privately paying and looking for structured social programs

Ignition Gamers is not a therapy service, but it works beautifully alongside therapy. Many participants attend Ignition Gamers as a complement to their occupational therapy, speech pathology, or psychology support.

How It Works

Referring a participant to Ignition Gamers is straightforward. Here is what the process looks like from first contact to first session.

Step 1: Get in touch

Complete the referral enquiry form on this page, or contact us directly by email or phone. Let us know a little about your client and their goals.

Step 2: We will reach out

A member of our team will contact you (or the participant and their family, if preferred) within two business days to discuss fit and answer any questions.

Step 3: Participant and family onboarding

We share a welcome pack with session details, what to expect, and any sensory or support considerations we should know about. Families are encouraged to ask questions.

Step 5: First session

The participant attends their first session. Our Peer Support Workers are on hand to make introductions easy and ensure the participant feels welcome from the moment they arrive.

Step 5: Ongoing participation

Most participants settle in across the first two to three sessions. We keep referrers updated if there are any concerns, with participant consent.

Step 6: NDIS service agreement (if applicable)

For NDIS participants, we set up a service agreement that aligns with their plan goals. We handle the administration and can work with support coordinators directly.

Make a referral

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Ignition Gamers registered with the NDIS?

Ignition Gamers is not a registered NDIS provider, but we are NDIS funding compatible. This means we can work with self managed and plan managed participants whose plans include Social and Community Participation or Improved Daily Living supports. We are not able to invoice NDIA managed participants directly. If you are unsure whether your client’s funding arrangement is compatible, get in touch and we will help you work it out.

What age group does Ignition Gamers support?

We support autistic young people aged 14 to 35. Our programs are designed with this age range in mind — the activities, language, and peer dynamics are relevant and engaging for teens and young adults rather than being adapted from children’s programs.

Do participants need to be diagnosed with autism to attend?

Participants do not need a formal diagnosis to join Ignition Gamers. We welcome young people who identify as autistic or neurodivergent, as well as those who may be awaiting assessment. Our environment is designed to be supportive for anyone who finds traditional social settings challenging.

How do sessions support therapeutic goals?

Sessions naturally build skills that align with many NDIS and therapy goals — including social communication, emotional regulation, turn taking, conflict resolution, and community participation. While Ignition Gamers is not a clinical service, our team works closely with allied health professionals to ensure the environment supports each participant’s broader goals. We are happy to provide progress updates with participant consent.

What if a participant has sensory sensitivities or support needs?

We take sensory and support needs seriously. When you refer a participant, we ask about any specific requirements as part of our onboarding process. Our sessions are held in sensory considerate spaces, and our Peer Support Workers are trained to adapt their approach based on individual needs. If a participant requires 1:1 support in session, their support worker is welcome to attend.

How are sessions staffed?

Sessions are led by Peer Support Workers who have lived experience of autism. This is a core part of what makes Ignition Gamers different. Our team understands firsthand what it feels like to navigate social situations as an autistic young person, and that authenticity creates a level of trust and connection that is hard to replicate.

Can family members or support workers attend sessions?

Support workers are welcome to attend sessions with participants who require additional support. We ask that family members and carers wait outside the session space to allow participants to engage independently — this is intentional, as part of building confidence and autonomy. We are always happy to debrief with families or workers after sessions.

How do I refer a participant?

You can refer a participant by completing the enquiry form on this page, emailing us directly at hello@ignitiongamers.com.au, or calling our team. We aim to respond within two business days. You are also welcome to reach out informally first if you would like to discuss suitability before making a formal referral.

Our Team and Credentials

Ignition Gamers was built by people who understand what it means to be autistic and to grow up feeling like you don’t quite fit in traditional social spaces. Our team brings together lived experience, professional training, and a genuine passion for supporting autistic young people to thrive.

  • All Peer Support Workers have lived experience of autism and are trained in trauma informed and strengths based practice
  • Our team holds current Working With Vulnerable People (WWVP) checks in line with ACT requirements
  • Staff are trained in first aid, mental health first aid, and participant safety protocols
  • We operate in accordance with the NDIS Code of Conduct and Quality and Safeguards Framework
  • Our programs are informed by current research on social skills development, peer support models, and neurodiversity affirming practice
  • Ignition Gamers is an active member of the Canberra disability services community and maintains relationships with local allied health providers, schools, and support coordinators
  • We are committed to continuous improvement and regularly seek feedback from participants, families, and referrers

We believe lived experience is a credential. When our team members say they understand what your clients are going through, they mean it.

What participants Are Saying

The following testimonials are from real participant who have experienced Ignition Gamers firsthand.

Ready to Make a Referral?

We believe lived experience is a credential. When our team members say they understand what your clients are going through, they mean it.

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