Helping youth with autism

With one child in every 100 affected, over 44 per cent on the spectrum cannot make friends outside of their families and more than 66 per cent do not spend time outside of school with friends.
But for families sick of hiding at home who would like to feel part of a community again, the Autism Community Network (ACN) is a charity committed to building strong communities of support for those impacted by autism.  Two new monthly recreation groups for children and their families are starting up with bowling on offer at Ten Pin City in Lidcombe and laser tag at Kingpin in North Strathfield.
ACN Founder and Community Liaison Manager Steve Drakoulis who started the group with 35 families 11 years ago, now has over 2,000 families registered.
“My son George was diagnosed and I wanted to find a support group but options were limited,” he said.
“I reached out to other families and the group just grew and grew.
“George is now 20 and has come such a long way, running many of our youth support groups; I’m very proud.”
ACN offers an advisory service and runs groups for carers, families and those with autism – ranging from cooking clubs, walking groups, coffee mornings, art, music and drama groups – to name a few.
“Our programs are run by volunteers and we provide these supports for free but our fundraising has taken a hit in the last two years and we are really feeling it,” Steve said.
For info about support available or to make a donation, go to autismcommunity.org.au.
• Many of the great minds throughout history have been considered to be on the autism spectrum, with the world a better place because of them, including Leonardo Da Vinci, Vincent van Gogh, Michelangelo, Sir Isaac Newtown, Albert Einstein, Charles Darwin, Alfred Hitchcock, Courtney Love, Susan Boyle, John Denver and Bill Gates, just to name a few.