WHEN Warwick photographer Ian Mace first found out his son had Asperger's, he wasn't sure what he was up against.

Four years since Edward was diagnosed, Mr Mace said he and wife Emma were still facing challenges, but local support had made a huge difference.

"Edward was diagnosed in 2012 when he was six,” Mr Mace said.

"At that time as a family we were really struggling - he was disruptive at school and argumentative at home and we had no idea what could be the problem and felt really lost.

"We've only just told Edward at the age of 10, and at first I had mixed feelings about the diagnosis because it came with a label.

"He always thought he was different but he's never taken it negatively, and it's helped him understand more about himself.

"When we got the diagnosis, that's when BUSHkids stepped in with providing child psychology, speech therapy and school visits.

"They were able to help us and continue to help us with strategies for us as a family to work at our life together, as well as helping Edward with expressing his feelings and not letting anger escalate.”

Since receiving the diagnosis, Mr Mace said he had received plenty of support from BUSHKids and wanted to give back.

He became chairman of Friends of BUSHkids, a support group that aims to raise awareness and funds for the not-for-profit, and said 18 months on, the network was growing.

"Friends of BUSHkids is a group of parents, professionals, care workers and teachers who want to promote BUSHkids and their services,” Mr Mace said.

"They had just helped us so much that I went 'okay, what can I do to help?' and we established this group.

"Socially, our lives completely changed (when we got the diagnosis) - the signs of Aspergers are irritability, anxiety, feeling angry for no reason, rigidity in routine, and having issues with losing or coming last.

"We lost some friends and you hear from a lot of people in similar situations that others just think you have a naughty child and you need to be more disciplined - it can really make or break you as a family.

"For that reason we want to reach out to other families in the community and make them aware of what support BUSHkids can provide and also help remove the stigma that surrounds these sorts of issues.”

Friends of BUSHkids will host two fundraisers next month, a family bush dance on September 17 and golf day on September 18, with full details expected soon.

For more information, phone Warwick BUSHkids, email warwick@bushkids. org.au on 46671200 or go to bushkids.org.au