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 Group meetings and at the social events run by the support group.  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
NEW: ​BANKSTOWN SUPPORT GROUP
BLACKTOWN SUPPORT GROUP
​BLACKTOWN FATHERS INFO EVENINGS
​BROOKVALE SUPPORT GROUP
​CARINGBAH SUPPORT GROUP
NEW: CASTLE HILL SUPPORT GROUP
HORNSBY SUPPORT GROUP - DAY
​HORNSBY SUPPORT GROUP - EVENING 
​HORNSBY FATHERS INFO EVENINGS
​HURSTVILLE SUPPORT GROUP
HURSTVILLE FIT & FRIENDLY CLUB
KINGSGROVE KIDS DIY CLUB
LIDCOMBE KIDS BOWLING 
NEW: MARRICKVILLE MUSIC THERAPY 
​MENAI KIDS PLAY GROUP 
​OATLEY KIDS COOKING CLUB 
​PARRAMATTA ART GROUP
​PEAKHURST YOUTH CLUB
NEW: PEAKHURST ART THERAPY 
​PETERSHAM SUPPORT GROUP ​​
​RICHMOND SUPPORT GROUP
NEW: RIVERWOOD SOUTHSIDE SOCIAL 
​ROSEHILL LASER TAG ​
RYDE SUPPORT GROUP   
​SYDNEY FAMILY SOCIAL OUTINGS ​
SYLVANIA BOWLING
​WENTWORTHVILLE SUPPORT GROUP
NEW: WINDSOR YOUTH CLUB
​NEW: WOLLONGONG SUPPORT GROUP​
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
What groups we run
See what events we have coming up
or ​book in to attend
​Click to see what events are 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.
A tool made available by the Department of Social Services for the purposes of listing the contact details and locations of disability advocacy agencies
Programs provided by other organisations
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 1,100 families who come together on-line and 11 regions across Sydney to work on creating a society where people with autism and their families lead rich, full and rewarding lives.

We support the needs of our community through a number of ways.

  • Provide support groups, social groups, kids clubs and information days
  • Use volunteers with lived experiences to run most of our activities 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 own experiences.
  • Booking system for members to find and book ACN programs and events
  • Member login to enable members to update their own information, make bookings 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
We don't charge anything to help carers. We rely on fundraising and community support to survive. Please help us to continue doing what we do for so many individuals and families. 

ACN Partners
​and service supporters

Supporting us through funding, services, joint projects or resources
Click here for more on our partners and supporters

Fathers Information Evening Blacktown

Monday 30 April 7.00 pm for a 7.30 start at Blacktown Workers Club
​We have a special theme for the first Fathers Information Evening for the year. Three guest speakers will share their stories and ideas to help men in their caring roles. All fathers,  grandfathers and significant males in an ASD person’s life are welcome, but must book. Finger food and light drinks will be provided. 
GUEST SPEAKERS:
Phil Jones: A father who will share his story of travelling around NZ will his ASD son.
Dimitrios Papalexis from Carers NSW: Will speak about male carers and how to better support yourself and your family's needs.
Steve Drakoulis: ACN Founder will share a list of resources and ideas to help dads support their children.
Our Thanks
Funded by Lions clubs of Kings Langley and Blacktown City. Venue provided free by Workers Club.
​While there is increasingly more support in the community for children impacted by autism conditions, there is very little available for adults. The ACN wants to work with people who identify as being on the spectrum to help bring about more options. We have developed a simple questionnaire where we seek your feedback as an adult on the spectrum. By learning what you would like to see out there we can help represent your views better. Please click icon above to download and complete survey, then email it to us at info@autismcommunity.org.au 
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​Invite your school to join our Schools Awareness Campaign
If your school would like to help raise awareness please click on image above for more information. ​
MENTAL HEALTH SUPPORT
Click for support
Click above for more information
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ACN, along with many other organisations and service providers, are listed on Autism Link, promoted as Australia’s largest, most comprehensive directory of services to support kids with Autism and Autism Spectrum Disorder
Click icon to see their page.
SOCIAL STORIES
Are you taking your ASD child to one of these popular venues, or planning to fly?
​ACN has put together a social story for visiting the Australian Museum, as well as Featherdale Wildlife Park.
We have also added social stories created by othes to prepare children on the spectrum for other experiences. 
Please click on any of the images below to  access or download.