The event was organised by the Autism Advisory and Support Service as a form of music therapy for the children.

The founder of the service, Grace Fava, said classical music was soothing for children on the autism spectrum and allowed them to express themselves.

``Children with autism and additional needs have a great affinity for music in general and classical music in particular,'' she said.

``It relaxes them and gives them a safe outlet for their emotions.''

Ms Fava said 395 young people, including 36 children in wheelchairs, went along to the concert, which was a great improvement on the first concert, held last year, when there were 100 people in the audience.

The event was held at Mounties, at Mount Pritchard, last Friday. ``They were very unsettled when they came in but as soon as the music started you could hear a pin drop in the room. Their eyes and faces just light up they just loved it.

``And we had little instruments there for them so that they could play along with it and some of the children got up on stage and played and sang along with the musicians.

``Classical music has a therapeutic affect on the children. It has a very calming influence and really relaxes them it has an amazing effect.''

The Autism Advisory and Support Service is a non-profit organisation which helps parents of children with autism.

Ms Fava also campaigns for more respite and disability services and funding to be allocated to south-west Sydney.

``Music therapy has had a proven effect in helping children with autism to interact with other people and express their emotions, so it's a very important way of helping them.''