A network of technology clubs for children and young people who identify as being on the autism spectrum and who enjoy working with computers
FIND A LAB

Mentoring by technical professionals in
programming, 3D, Digital Design, and Gaming.

What is The Lab?

The Lab is a growing network of not for profit technology clubs for children and young people who identify as being on the autism spectrum and who enjoy working with computers. The Lab offers mentoring by technology professionals in areas such as programming, 3D, digital design and gaming. While The Lab is not NDIS registered, many Lab participants use their NDIS plans to pay for Lab sessions.

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About Lab sessions

The Lab’s approach is unstructured and does not have expectations of specific education or technology outcomes. The Lab is a tech and games based social experience for young people aged 10-16 +.

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The Lab News
  • With Lab sessions in some areas unable to run it’s worth considering The Lab Online to stay in touch with friends and mentors. The Lab Online is available across the country with sessions running after school hours. Email admin@thelab.org.au for more information.
  • The Lab Hobart has commenced sessions at the Glenorchy Library on Saturday mornings. Bookings are essential. Please visit the Join a Lab page for more information.
  • Here’s an interesting ABC News item from Brisbane about the positive support provided to young people with autism through tabletop games.
  • The Lab at Bargoonga Nganjin Nth Fitzroy Library will commence sessions very soon. Visit the Join a Lab page to register.
  • The Lab in Mildura has commence sessions at AJAY’s Makerspace and Gaming. We’re excited that The Lab is available for communities in the Nth West of Victoria. Visit the Join a Lab page to register your interest.
  • The Lab at Castle Hill in Sydney have commenced sessions at the Museums Discovery Centre on Sunday mornings from 10.30am – 12.30pm during school terms. See the Join a Lab page for more details.
  • This article from ABC News gives a great overview of The Lab on the Gold Coast, their fantastic work and their commitment to opening the door to new skills, friendships and fun.
    https://www.abc.net.au
  • A Lab Online group has been running in Perth since T4 2020 and we’re keen to support the establishment of a face to face group there. Please contact us at admin@thelab.org.au if you are interested in hosting this Lab group with a local venue.
 
 

The Lab Online

The Lab Online sessions are available Monday to Friday from 4.30pm – 6.30pm. These sessions cover a wide range of game play and tech activities using the Zoom platform.

To register for online sessions please complete the registration form linked from the Join a Lab page and register for The Lab Online. We will contact you to discuss the session day and time that best suits you.

Click this link to read full details of Lab Online sessions:
The Lab Online FAQ 2021
See the video of participants PAX 2020 game projects here.

Mentors with technical expertise

By pairing young people who have Autism with tutors who have technical expertise in areas of mutual interest, The Lab seeks to improve the well-being and life prospects of young people who are often highly skilled but whose condition can lead them to fall through gaps in the mainstream education system. The Lab is always on the lookout for enthusiastic and skilled tech mentors.

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The Lab resources

Join The Lab to access a great variety of helpful videos and powerpoints for participants, mentors and parents.

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Introduction to The Lab