Testimonials

Working on the premise of Perception is Reality, we decided to include this page on our website. We have committed to providing a service to the community and do our best to offer advice without bias or favour. All our management are parents of children with an ASD, and support our efforts to deliver the best possible support service to other families in our community. 
Good afternoon,
I came across the ABC article recently published about the dinner for adults with autism.
I'm often rather dismayed reading the news, with all the doom and gloom that seems to compose it.
However, this particular item rather stood out to me. I think it's an absolutely fantastic initiative, and something that your organisation should be congratulated for. It's tremendously important for everyone to have these opportunities to connect and build relationships together, in a supportive environment and community.
 Seeing the happiness that was created, even just from the short news clip, it really is wonderful.
Thank you for all the work you do.
Lachlan H
ACN PRAISED IN FEDERAL PARLIAMENT
The ACN's Federal Member (for Banks), Mr David Coleman has been a wonderful supporter of our work in the community. We were delighted to hear him mention us in Federal Parliament in 2014.
Please forward to the 3 minute mark if you would like to hear his comments about the ACN.
Andrew (13) and Simon(7) have been attending the weekly fitness club at Hurstville Aquatic centre.
They've learnt so many skills such as bouncing a basketball, controlling the soccer ball, tackling their opponent in soccer, goal keeping, passing the ball, dodging balls, but more importantly they've learnt to take turns, listen to and follow instructions, and are actively seeking the joint attention and communication needed for successful teamwork.
We've seen so many of the things we've been trying to achieve in speech and occupational therapy come to life in these fitness club sessions.
Andrew and Simon have had so much fun and have learnt so many skills and they look forward to fitness club with Ryan/Josh/Morselin each week. These guys are so good with the kids - they are positive, energetic and motivating and treat the kids with so much patience and respect. Simon was close to tears when I explained to him that fitness club has finished for the year.
I would highly recommend this activity to other parents for their kids and really hope this activity continues next year.
 Thankyou ACN for the great work you are doing.
 Chuc
We are so grateful for the work the Autism Community Network does. It has given Finn access to so many events which a perfect for him. Having a a diagnosis of ASD level 1 he has recently found it too challenging to participate in mainstream activities but is also ineligible for the NDIS. Without the ACN Finn would be much more socially isolated and inactive. Thanks for everything you do.
Danielle, Toronto NSW
Testimonial from a migrant
I was struggled on my living when the elder girl identified ADHD. I reckon it might be my challenge and stand still, might be a lesson to be a parent. But, my life turned hopeless after my younger son was identified Autism. NDIS offer some funding that enables the some appointments with professional personnels only. It was very shame. I try every effort to look after the 2 monkeys, hoping they could turns better. Recently, someone told me to go Autism Community Network. Thanks to Autism Community Network( ACN). My monkeys have their routine activities, such as cooking group, art group and bowling group. Our life become easier and I have more confidence on their development. I do hope NDIS could consider the way that ACN treat the disability families.
Che,  single parent with a ADHD girl and ASD boy.
My son was diagnosed with autism at the age of 4. Since then, we found out about ACN and started attending Menai Kids Club. This is an event which we can bring non-ASD siblings. Both my kids have found friendship within the group. It is a safe place for mums to get to take a break from the kids, get to know each other and support each other while kids went on and play. I would like to give special thanks to our volunteer/facilitator Bianca. She is awesome with our kids and they all love playing with her.
Thank you so much for funding this group Steve.
Regards
Olive 
I'm writing to say Thanks to the ACN, having the funding and the person who arranged for us to have our High Tea at Parramatta a few weeks ago.
I most certainly had a wonderful time and felt special and greatly appreciated being spoilt. I'm sure the other families felt the same.
Thanks again
Ellie
My son Jasper has attended ACN fitness program since 3 years ago. It is a very good and high supported program. Jasper got benefit from it and we'd love to keep it continue .
Many thanks 
Kitty 
Our family is new to ACN and diagnosis. We have spent the last 6 years alone and not knowing what was going on for our little boy and watching how it was effecting our family and deteriorating friendships and any social life / family time in the community.
To now become connected and see all the opportunities out there for us to regain our life through social interaction with others who understand and can provide support, and the opportunities for our son to form friendships or even just be out in the community with other people, our family can begin to feel 'normal' again, instead of hiding at home. This is life changing for us.
Thank you.
Pat
COMMENTS RECEIVED FROM DONORS XMAS 2016
Thank you!! I have referred two families to the ACN this year, and it's a wonderful thing to know the work and support continues for those in need :)  -  Thank you for all the great work and support that you give the community.  -  Thanks for all your hard work and support. Thank you for everything you do.  -  Good luck, its a great organisation, one we are so happy to have in our lives. Thank you!  -  This is a great charity that supports many families with ASD kids.  -  Thanks for all the work you do! It's amazing.  -  Thank you! Great to be part of ACN, so much useful information and assistance  -  We are one very grateful family.  -  Thank you so much for all that you for our family and so many others!  -  Big thanks to ACN from Jasper's family  -  Thank you! for doing a wonderful support to us  -  Keep up the regular donation drives, its a good prompt for people to give to the ACN.  -  A huge Thank You for ACN from our family!  -  Keep up the amazing work that ACN does.  -  Thanks for all the amazing work!
My son Tim joined the Menai Kids Club on last year. He got the supportive from the group. The host is very nice and encouraging. She provided laser tag game to the kids and only ACN's kids were in. He spent lots of fun to play with other kids also. I really support this group
 Andy 
Hi Steve, 
we (my husband and I) went to our first ACN support group on Tuesday, very grateful to have others with whom to talk about autism things with, others who understand what it's like raising a child "on the spectrum". Caroline was so lovely and we felt very at ease and welcome, it is deeply appreciated, please pass on my heartfelt thanks to her. Everyone was so kind and gentle.
Again Steve, thank you, and Caroline, all the people at ACN for being organised. We're travelling the road with you now, its nice to have company.
Best wishes, 
Rosie.
I attend the group and find it so helpful is because I am meeting other families in similar situations as mine. I think its important to have this as some other friends just don't get what you are going through. This group has brought me together with others that I would have otherwise never met. It has also kept me up to date with what is happening with in our local area, and the wider Autism Family. Knowing of changes and how they are going to affect my two boys now and in the future is really important.
Steve is always up to date with information and passes this on in a way that I don't always understand from media and the likes at other times.  He is very giving of his time and we all very much appreciate what he does for other families.
I myself have also felt like I can give back to the ACN by being a facilitator in one of our social groups that we hold monthly in Hornsby. This is another way that the ACN has brought families together.
Thank you Steve for all you do, I know you must hear this often. It is very true that you are one in a million.
Caroline N
Steve you have worked so hard and are doing a fantastic job.  Wow I was taken aback by the group of  ladies so dedicated, informative and helpful sharing their experiences and knowledge.  Steve this could not have been generated without your dedication, perseverance and many many hours of research, and reaching out to people.
 Regards
Connie
Hi Steve, 
Lovely to meet you and the other ladies yesterday, it was a huge support and tremendously validating for me. 
Thanks again, I really appreciate all the wealth of experience,  information handouts and booklets. I look forward to seeing you all again soon
Cheers,
Beverly
Thanks for spending the time with me last weekend at Canterbury Leagues. You filled me in with a lot of info about Autism and I am grateful for this and feel lucky that I have found a support group like this. Also I spoke to my son re the Art Group and the Play Group at Peakhurst and he is interested to go to these activities, please let me know when they are on.
Kind regards
Judith 
Hi Steve, I am glad I came along to the Belmore Support Group yesterday.  Thank you so much for your time, company, support, openness, your goodwill and for making me feel welcome.  I don't think I have ever felt so relaxed in a long time.  I feel privileged to have met the group and look forward to seeing you all next month.  
Take care
Tina
Dear Steve,
Today I was able for the first time go to the web site and click on different headings and read through things, even our letter to the principle, marys speech etc.I had shed a few tears (happy ones) to see how far we've come. The last few months of last year was so busy for my family that i kept missing our monthly meetings. I really miss everyone and looking forward to our next meeting. Thank you so much for your tireless work and dedication helping and bringing relief to so many families dealing with trialsome situations that only we can understand. Even if you dont hear it mentioned please know that your work doesnt go unnoticed but is very much appreciated.
regards
Laisani
I think this is a fabulous website and organisation and though my time (as everyone’s) is limited I would love to help in some way. You are a saint.
Peta J
hi Steve, Just wanted to say that every week your newsletter and website gets better and better. you should be so proud of what you have achieved and all the help and information that you are providing to countless ASD families is invaluable. 
THANK YOU. 
Felicity J
Hi My son has just been diagnosed with Autism. He is almost 3. I love your website and find the Autism Awareness cards a great idea.
Thank you
Kylie C
Hi Steve,
I wanted to thank all the wonderful parents in our autism community for the very rapid, detailed  and helpful advice I was given about trampolines. I was so overwhelmed and blown away by the amount of responses I received as well as  the quality of the response too. Many parents took the time to supply me with relevant websites and useful information. I am so grateful to have tapped into this wonderful resource. It has actually saved me $800 as I was going to buy the official springfree. Instead I have now found a trampoline, made in Australia with 10 year warranty on frame and 5 year warranty on net - double the warranty on all other trampolines I researched. 
I feel very privileged to part of such a wonderful community who are supportive and helpful. Thanks again to all those wonderful parents, so very much appreciated. 
Olesia 
Hi Steve,
Thank you so much for today and please thank those ladies that attended the group as well. I really felt like I could breath again after spending time speaking to you all. I left feeling like I was in control of things again, not feeling so overwhelmed.  Thank you once again, I really appreciated it. I think you are doing such a great job and I just wanted you to be reminded of your worth. You are such a great asset amongst the Autism Community. Please don't ever give up, keep going we all need your passion, perseverance and compassion to give us a feeling that there is light at the end of the tunnel. Thank you once again. 
Belinda 
Hey there Steve,
Thank you so much for doing such an AMAZING job! I know you work above and beyond your job description. So on behalf of the community THANK YOU!!!
We are blessed to have you on our Team (Team Autism!) and your kids are so lucky to have you too. Thanks for making the world a better place, you're in inspiration!
Cheers & thanks again
Martine (North Balgowlah)
Hi Steve Thanks for your amazing help and job you are doing... I am in awe;
Julia (Bass Hill)
Hi Steve,
I think that your webite is wonderful. I have worked in the Autism field for the last 10 years and it is inspiring to have parents like yourself who set up these vital support networks for other families. 
Lauren Cleary
Occupational Therapist
www.kidsfocus.net.au.
Hi Steve, 
just had to share the song that plays in my head when I get one of your emails ...
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LXEOESuiYcA
Enjoy the flashback to 1990!
Martine
(I had to add this as it gave me the biggest smile I've had in ages. KLF in my case is Key Local Facilitator - Steve)
What a wonderful site, Steve!  You are such a support and inspiration to so many families.
Pauline Hunter-Knight
CoOrdinator, Aspect's Someone To Turn To Program
Wow Steve. You will be an amazing KLF for those struggling families. You will make a difference in the lives of the kids who are frustrated and misunderstood. Big responsibility but who better to do the job than a big hearted bear like you.
Even my husband said after meeting you on Saturday "Steve really cares.. he is very passionate and genuine".
Have a great day tomorrow (at work) doing what you are great at .... helping others thru the haze that is autism.
Kind regards
Karen (Revesby Heights).
Wow, I just took at a look at a fantastic website, Steve, well done! It's easy to use and very informative. 
Paula (Sylvania Heights)
Thank you Steve for all the wonderful work and support you have done and offered in your role as KLF Bankstown. Your assistance has been invaluable, sharing of resources and information, starting up networks and support groups and the website you created a fabulous ongoing source of information for families. Congratulations- you've done a great job - and been a great assistance to my family in particular. I look forward to crossing paths in the future and chatting to you as Steve Drakoulis - parent
Many thanks & warm regards
Jane