The Autism Community Network is founded by a father of a child with an autism spectrum disorder, as a means for parents to provide information and support to each other through their own efforts and experiences.
We now have more than 1,700 families who come together on-line and 17 LGAs across Sydney and regional NSW 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, connecting with their local communities
- Connect people through ‘Common Ground’ groups, where they can support each other when facing similar circumstances. ie. parents with daughters on the spectrum, ADHD, or adults children.
- Connect people from the same cultural or language backgrounds for mutual support
- We promote credible research projects to enable people to support those working to create a better, more inclusive future for our children.
ACN Online Events using ZOOM
- Movie Club (Mondays 4-5pm) A place for all members interested in film and tv to enjoy each other's company in a fun, relaxed environment.
- ACN Music Club (Tuesdays 4-5pm) A place to share your music talk and interests and enjoy each others' company in a fun, relaxed environment.
- ACN Lego Club (Tuesdays 6-7pm) Children can connect with us (ideally with their parents present) and we set a task for everyone to complete. For example, everyone builds a ship at home and at the same time next week we meet up again to see all the amazing things created.
- Kahoots Quiz (Wednesdays 4 - 5 pm)
- Bingo (Thursdays 4-5pm)
- ACN Youth Club (Fridays 4-5pm) This is an opportunity for young people on the spectrum, age 13 to 25, to hang out together via Zoom. They can chat about things that interest them, and just have fun together.
- ACN SciFi Club (Sundays 4-5 pm) Join in each Sunday with fellow scifi geeks to talk about your favourite movies, TV shows or books, or even games.
- Carers Support Group (various times through the week - check our schedule)
Face to Face
We hold social evenings for young adults at various locations. We also hold gathering for carers to connect and support each other.
With COVID restrictions these have been cut back so give us a call to find out what we have on!
AUTISTIC ADULTS SOCIAL EVENTS - first Monday each month from 6 to 8 pm
There are so few social opportunities for adults on the spectrum in Sydney, and we are changing that.
The AUTISTIC ADULTS SOCIAL EVENTS are now being held at Club Rivers in Riverwood on the first Monday each month from 6 to 8 pm. The club is located right across from Riverwood station and has long supported autism inclusion in our community.
There will be games and opportunities to meet others, and you can order a meal while you’re there.
You can also use NDIS funding for this event as a peer support/social participation experience.
