Support for families and individuals in
​New South Wales
More autism support organisations across other states and regions
1,500+ NSW families registered
Click for current ACN activities
"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

ACN Partners
​and service supporters

Supporting us through funding, services, joint projects or resources
More about those supporting
​Autism in our community
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 1,500 families who come together on-line and 17 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.
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 people. We rely on fundraising and community support.
WE'RE ACTIVE ACROSS 17 LGAs:   ​BAYSIDE   |   BLACKTOWN   |   CAMDEN   |   CANTERBURY-BANKSTOWN   |   CUMBERLAND   |   GEORGES RIVER   |   HAWKESBURY   |   HILLS SHIRE   |   HORNSBY   |   INNER WEST   |   LAKE MACQUARRIE  |  NORTHERN BEACHES   |   PARRAMATTA   |   RYDE   |   SUTHERLAND SHIRE   |   SYDNEY CITY  |   WOLLONGONG   |
Click for more on each program
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
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​Invite your school to join our 
Schools Awareness Campaign
If your school would like to help raise awareness click image for more information. ​
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THERE IS NOW A LIONS CLUB FOR PEOPLE INTERESTED IN AUTISM. 
​BECOME A LION
and create a stronger voice in the community

​​​JOIN THE
SYDNEY AUTISM COMMUNITY ​LIONS CLUB
ANNOUNCING OUR NEW AMBASSADOR

ACN is very proud to welcome Adam Elliott as our new ambassador. As well as being a Canterbury Bulldogs NRL star, Adam is passionate about awareness for autism, hoping to see more opportunities for people on the spectrum, including his brother James. We look forward to working with Adam to promote inclusion and raise the profile of the work of ACN.
MENTAL HEALTH SUPPORT
Click for support
SPECIAL EVENTS DURING AUTISM AWARENESS MONTH 
April 1 – THANK YOU to Harness Racing NSW in Bathurst who are dedicating their entire meeting to ACN and raising awareness.
April 2 - Harness Racing NSW Menangle Park is dedicating their entire meeting to ACN and raising awareness.