At a Friday meeting about the I Can Network, seven secondary school students shared their stories with politicians, principals, educators and family members of young people with autism.

The state opposition appointed MP Bernie Finn the shadow parliamentary secretary for autism spectrum disorder this year. Mr Finn travelled to Warrnambool to discuss the potential for the I Can Network to be rolled out in other parts of the state.

Year nine Warrnambool College student Patrick Clisby, 16, has been involved in the program since last year.

“No-one judges you for who you are or for your disabilities because they’re in the same boat,” he said.

He said it had helped grow his confidence and he looked forward to being a mentor to other young people with autism when he was older.

Other students said their involvement in the mentoring program – which focuses on the positive things people with autism can do through activities and camps – had helped them develop positive views of themselves.

“I’m not really good at subjects, but with autism, it’s helping me feel like who I am as a person,” Brauer College student Logan Ferris said. “I think that autism gave me a boost and I Can gave me a massive boost.”

Anthony and Lisa Boyle helped kick-start the program in the south-west after learning about the I Can Network, which has operated in Melbourne for a couple of years, through an austism support group.

They were seeking help for their autistic son and made contact with Chris Varney, the network’s founder. The Boyles provided financial backing to allow the program to begin operating in Warrnambool.

Mr Boyle said it was overwhelming and inspiring to hear the stories of young people who had been positively impacted by the program.

“The amount of funding we put in, we probably could have funded an aid for (our son), but that’s only one kid,” Mr Boyle said. “Now we’re going to help hundreds.”

He said the program’s success was a testament to the south-west community’s strength.