Support for families and individuals in
​New South Wales
More autism support organisations across other states and regions
1,200+ NSW families registered
"I have been attending ACN Support Groups and the social events for some time.  ACN Hornsby Support Group members have walked with me and my son through the last 4 years of major challenges and tears, triumphs and laughter and most importantly the group feels like family to me. My son , who has problems forming and maintaining friendships, now feels at ease at the social outings with the group.  He feels so accepted by the families in our group and looks forward to attending each month's social outing".
Andrea from Ryde
Our Founder Steve Drakoulis
has been nominated for a
Westfield Local Heroes Award,
click below to see why and to vote for him.
Voting Opens Monday 18 June.
Become a Member.
​Register yourself and all family members in your care
Volunteer to help us support your local area or help in other ways
See what events we have coming up or ​book in to attend
We don't charge anything to help carers. We rely on fundraising and community support to survive.
​Please help us to continue supporting the needs of so many individuals and families. 
The Autism Community Network (ACN) is a charity focused around building a strong community of support for autism. We use our combined knowledge and experiences as carers or individuals in the 'autism community' to help each other.

We now have more than 1,200 families who come together on-line and 15 LGAs across Sydney and in Wollongong to create a society where people with autism and their families can lead rich, full and rewarding lives.

We support the needs of our community through varied ways.
​
  • Provide support groups, social groups, kids clubs and information days
  • Use volunteers with lived experiences to run most of our activities, people who understand the needs and issues first hand
  • Connect people through Secret Status Facebook pages to communicate with the network, on a local area level, or within ‘Common Ground’ groups.
  • Connect people from same cultural or language backgrounds for mutual support
  • Our website contains no ads and services or businesses listed are member recommended from personal experiences.
  • Member login to enable booking in to events, update their own information and recommend services ​
  • We promote credible research projects to enable people to support those working to create a better, more inclusive future for our children.
Let us know what you think.
Feedback

ACN Partners
​and service supporters

Supporting us through funding, services, joint projects or resources
More about those supporting
​Autism in our community
WE'RE ACTIVE ACROSS 15 LGAs:   ​BAYSIDE   |   BLACKTOWN   |   CANTERBURY-BANKSTOWN   |   CUMBERLAND   |   GEORGES RIVER  HAWKESBURY   |   HILLS SHIRE   |   HORNSBY   |   INNER WEST   |   NORTHERN BEACHES   |   PARRAMATTA   |   RYDE   |   SUTHERLAND SHIRE   |   SYDNEY CITY  |   WOLLONGONG
NEW: ​BANKSTOWN SUPPORT GROUP
BLACKTOWN SUPPORT GROUP
​​BROOKVALE SUPPORT GROUP
​CARINGBAH SUPPORT GROUP
NEW: CASTLE HILL SUPPORT GROUP
SOON: DEE WHY YOUTH CLUB
HORNSBY SUPPORT GROUP - DAY
​HORNSBY SUPPORT GROUP - EVENING 
​​HURSTVILLE SUPPORT GROUP
​NEW: ILLAWONG YOUTH CLUB
​KINGSGROVE KIDS DIY CLUB
LIDCOMBE KIDS BOWLING 
MARRICKVILLE MUSIC THERAPY 
​MENAI KIDS PLAY GROUP 
​OATLEY KIDS COOKING CLUB 
​PARRAMATTA ART GROUP
​SOON: ​PARRAMATTA KIDS COOKING
​​PEAKHURST ART THERAPY 
PENSHURST FIT & FRIENDLY CLUB
​SOON: RAMSGATE SUPPORT GROUP
SOON: RAMSGATE CARERS LAWN BOWLS

​​
​SOON: RAMSGATE ASPIE ADULTS SOCIAL CLUB
RICHMOND SUPPORT GROUP
RIVERWOOD ASPIE ADULTS SOCIAL CLUB 
​ROSEHILL LASER TAG ​
RYDE SUPPORT GROUP   
​SYDNEY FAMILY SOCIAL OUTINGS ​
SYLVANIA BOWLING
​WENTWORTHVILLE SUPPORT GROUP
NEW: WINDSOR KIDS CLUB
​NEW: WOLLONGONG SUPPORT GROUP​
See carer or autism events on around Sydney outside of the ACN
​ ACN supports credible research projects which may help make for a better future.  Please see and participate to support these projects.
Department of Social Services tool listing contact details and locations of disability advocacy agencies
MENTAL HEALTH SUPPORT
Click for support

2018 MEMBERS SURVEY

Please let us know what support looks like to you by completing our 5 minutes survey to help us know what you need. Click image above to start, and you can also go into the chance to win a $50 Bunnings Voucher
POSITIVE PARTNERSHIPS IS COMING TO HORNSBY

"Positive Partnerships is the best autism workshop I have ever attended!" 
Steve Drakoulis, ACN Founder

Click below to book or to learn more
www.positivepartnerships.com.au/
BECOME A LION
THERE IS NOW A LIONS CLUB
FOR AUTISM. ​JOIN THE
SYDNEY AUTISM COMMUNITY
​LIONS CLUB