WHAT IS THE LAB?

The Lab is a social tech and gaming club designed for children and young people who identify as being on the autism spectrum. It’s a place where participants can connect over their shared interests in technology, coding, gaming, and digital creativity, while building friendships in a welcoming and inclusive environment. Each session is supported by experienced mentors with expertise in technology, who can guide participants in developing new skills at their own pace and according to their interests. Most importantly, The Lab is a space where Autistic people can feel comfortable, be themselves, and enjoy spending time with like-minded peers.

What we do in lab sessions

At The Lab, we run weekly two-hour sessions where autistic children and teens explore their passion for technology in a relaxed, inclusive environment. Each session brings together 10–15 participants and is guided by experienced mentors—often professional programmers, game developers, or designers. Our mentors work one-on-one or in small groups to help participants build digital skills and explore shared interests like gaming, video editing, coding, animation, graphic design, and game development.

More than just a tech club, The Lab helps autistic young people develop vital social and communication skills. Many participants learn how to collaborate, make friends, and feel confident connecting with peers who share similar interests. These social breakthroughs often come before the tech skills, and that’s okay—every participant finds their rhythm in their own time, at their own pace.

A Flexible, Interest-Led Approach

The Lab isn’t like school—and that’s by design. Our sessions are unstructured and interest-led, meaning each participant chooses what they want to do. This flexible format lets young people feel comfortable, curious, and in control of their own learning. We’ve seen how this approach helps build confidence, creativity, and a sense of belonging. Whether it’s coding a game, collaborating on a Minecraft build, or just hanging out with like-minded peers, The Lab is a safe and supportive space to learn, create, and grow.

OUR STORY; THE HISTORY OF THE LAB:

A Technology Club for Autistic Young People

The Lab is a unique, not-for-profit network of technology clubs for autistic children and young people in Australia. It began in 2010 as part of Connected Lives, a VicHealth-funded research project exploring how digital technology could improve wellbeing for disadvantaged youth. The project, led by software developer Dale Linegar and community technology researcher Dr Stefan Schutt, discovered that one-on-one technology sessions were especially effective for young people on the autism spectrum, particularly those with Asperger’s Syndrome. The project earned national recognition with the B/HERT Award for Community Engagement.

The first Lab space was set up in Footscray, Melbourne, at the Trocadero artist studios. During the day, developers from Linegar’s company Oztron worked on software projects, and after school, they mentored autistic young people in coding, game design, and creative digital activities. This model—combining professional tech development with youth mentoring—was inspired by the 826 Valencia Project in San Francisco and informed by key education theories such as Engagement Theory, Constructionism, and the work of Henry Jenkins. These approaches emphasise the power of meaningful, hands-on learning through technology.

Thanks to strong community interest and growing demand, The Lab quickly expanded. A 2013 independent evaluation confirmed its positive impact, leading to support from the Young and Well Cooperative Research Centre and the growth of a national network. Today, The Lab includes over 30 sites across Australia, providing safe, inclusive spaces where autistic kids and teens can develop digital skills, build confidence, and connect with peers who share their interests. While no longer run by its founders, The Lab continues to grow under the leadership of an experienced board and passionate local organisers.

THE LAB NETWORK

The Lab Network is the national head office for The Lab, providing essential behind-the-scenes support to help local Lab groups deliver this valuable social, gaming, and technology mentoring program to autistic young people in their communities. We work closely with coordinators, mentors, and partner organisations across Australia to ensure each local Lab has the resources, guidance, and tools they need to thrive.

Our small but passionate part-time team of two, together with our dedicated volunteer board, manage everything from program development and mentor support to training, outreach, and community engagement. We pride ourselves on achieving a lot with very limited resources—because we know the value this program brings to participants, their families, and the broader autism community.

The Lab Network Board

Melissa Webster

Melissa has over 20 years experience in the community sector working alongside children, young people and adults with a disability and in particular individuals with behaviours of concern and those with a diagnosis of autism. Over the years Melissa has worked as a support worker, in senior management positions within disability services across the UK and Australia, within behaviour support, case management roles and in Quality roles as a lead auditor against the ISO 9001 standards, the DHHS standards and autism specific standards.

Melissa is the Chair of The Lab Network Board

Adam Hutterer

Adam is a teacher and musician who has worked extensively in the VET sector for over 20 years. With expertise in design, technology, audio and events, Adam has used these skills to inform his practice as a STEM educator and manager and brings a wide range of expertise to the board.

Adam is the Vice-Chair of The Lab Network Board

Damien Crommie

Damien has worked in wealth management for the past twenty years, holding client-facing and management roles in Melbourne and London.

This experience has allowed him to combine both the technical and personal aspects of running his practice, providing a financial advice service that meets the needs of a broad range of people. He enjoys seeing the positive effect of financial empowerment on client well-being.

He was a founding trustee of Akwaaba, a London-based charity that supports asylum seekers, refugees and migrants navigating challenging circumstances.

Damien is a Chartered Accountant and Treasurer of The Lab Network.

Jane Hancock

Jane has extensive experience working in the community health, disability and child, youth and family sector spanning over 25 years.

Jane has led the design and implementation of governance and quality, compliance, and risk systems to enable the effective delivery of organisational policy objectives, to ensure all statutory and other legal requirements and obligations are met. Her motivation to work with key stakeholders to achieve their goals drives her enthusiasm to improve new and current services we provide to clients, families, and key stakeholders.

Jane has also held a key role setting up a  greenfield private hospital, has managed several mergers of large community health organisation and a key role in the acquisition of over 236 DHHS Supported Independent Living & Short-Term Accommodation Assistance services at SCOPE.

Michal Krajcik

Michal is a highly-skilled and committed professional with a career spanning almost fifteen years in management and coordinator roles within community and corporate organisations in the USA, UK, and Australia. Michal has been involved in the innovative development of an eHealth autism service delivery model for early childhood intervention services.

Laurel Petch

Laurel Petch is a passionate community advocate with a diverse background in vocational education, training, and administration. She brings strong skills in program coordination, stakeholder engagement, and financial management. Laurel currently serves as the Community Engagement Officer for the Ballarat Autism Network and played a leading role in delivering the Ballarat Autism Fest 2024, which attracted over 500 attendees and received widespread media attention. As an autistic and ADHD-identifying professional, Laurel brings valuable lived experience to her work in mentoring, support, and event coordination. She is committed to inclusive practices and building stronger, more connected communities through neurodivergent-led advocacy.

Alan Morgans

Alan has a background in media production and education management prior to joining The Lab Network as National Coordinator in 2015. Retiring from this role in 2023, Alan has experience of the benefits that The Lab provides for neurodivergent young people attending Lab sessions, their families and the organisations and individuals delivering The Lab in their local communities.

Alan is the Secretary of The Lab Network Board.

Jeremy Perrott

Jeremy Perrott is the former Chief Creative Officer of a multinational communications group based in New York. His global career spans 30 years running offices in London, New York, Tokyo, Seoul and Sydney, overseeing award-winning work for international clients. He co-founded the Annual Cannes Health Awards and the United Nations Award for Good and sits as advisor and chairman of awards for many international creative shows.

Jeremy presents as speaker, mentors creative leaders locally and globally, consults and advises for agencies and is creative director for an Indigenous film group in Sydney. Jeremy is also co-founder of the first not for profit creative partnership that only works with not for profit organisations.

OUR VISION & MISSION

Our perfect world is one that truly embraces neurodiversity. We aim for a society that not only accepts but actively celebrates the strengths and talents of autistic individuals, creating inclusive spaces where they can thrive socially, academically, and professionally. We believe in breaking down barriers, promoting understanding, and ensuring that diversity in all its forms is valued and supported. By encouraging acceptance, improving accessibility, and raising awareness of autism in the community, we work toward a future where every autistic person is empowered to achieve their personal goals and contribute their unique skills to the wider world.

The Lab’s Vision

For autistic people to live meaningful and productive lives in a world that embraces, accommodates, and actively supports inclusion and diversity.

The Lab’s Mission

The Lab Network supports the delivery of a strength-based, self-paced, dedicated mentoring program and vocational network for autistic young people to explore their passions, build confidence and develop lifelong skills, in pursuit of a future that promotes inclusivity and fosters innovation.

Our vision is for autistic people to live meaningful, fulfilling, and productive lives in a world that truly embraces neurodiversity. We aim for a society that not only accepts but actively celebrates the strengths and talents of autistic individuals, creating inclusive spaces where they can thrive socially, academically, and professionally. We believe in breaking down barriers, promoting understanding, and ensuring that diversity in all its forms is valued and supported. By encouraging acceptance, improving accessibility, and raising awareness of autism in the community, we work toward a future where every autistic person is empowered to achieve their personal goals and contribute their unique skills to the wider world.

THE LAB’S COMMITMENT TO CHILD SAFETY

The Lab is committed to safety and wellbeing of all children and young people. This is the primary focus of our care and decision-making.

The Lab has zero tolerance for child abuse.

The Lab is committed to providing a child safe environment where children and young people are safe and feel safe, and their voices are heard about decisions that affect their lives. Particular attention will be paid to the cultural safety of Aboriginal children and children from culturally and/or linguistically diverse backgrounds, as well as the safety of children with a disability.

Every person involved in The Lab has a responsibility to understand the important and specific role he/she plays individually and collectively to ensure that the wellbeing and safety of all children and young people is at the forefront of all they do and every decision they make.

In its planning, decision-making and operations The Lab will

  1. Take a preventative, proactive and participatory approach to child safety;

  2. Value and empower children to participate in decisions which affect their lives;

  3. Foster a culture of openness that supports all persons to safely disclose risks of harm to children;

  4. Respect diversity in cultures and child rearing practices while keeping child safety paramount;

  5. Provide written guidance on appropriate conduct and behaviour towards children;

  6. Engage only the most suitable people to work with children and have high quality staff and volunteer supervision and professional development;

  7. Ensure children know who to talk with if they are worried or are feeling unsafe, and that they are comfortable and encouraged to raise such issues;

  8. Report suspected abuse, neglect or mistreatment promptly to the appropriate authorities;

  9. Share information appropriately and lawfully with other organisations where the safety and wellbeing of children is at risk;

  10. Value the input of and communicate regularly with families and carers.

Our Partners