Ava Midson: NSW Police find missing non-verbal six-year-old with autism

A little girl who went missing in Sydney’s north west on Monday afternoon has been found “safe and well” by a good samaritan who joined the search.

Ava Midson, aged 6, went missing from a home on Wattle Street, Glossodia about 1.40pm on Monday.

NSW Police said they held serious concerns for her welfare because she lives with autism and is non-verbal, calling on the community to assist.

“When she could not be located, officers attached to Hawkesbury Police Area Command were notified and commenced inquiries into her whereabouts,” NSW Police said.

More than 100 people including police, PolAir, SES, RFS and community members pitched in to help search for the little girl, who was discovered about five hours later terrified and being swooped by birds by community member Charles Xiberras about 500m from where she went missing.

“I felt helpless, hearing on the radio and the news and wanted to help so (I) came out with my cousin, Luke,” Mr Xiberras told 7NEWS.

“We were trying to work out what we were going to do ... as we were working it out we heard plovers swooping down at a little girl.

“We thought maybe it was someone who lives on the property, but as we got closer we found out it was actually her.”

Mr Xiberras, who is a father-of-three himself, said he “was not expecting” to find her.

“It’s just good news,” he told 7NEWS.

In a release just before 7pm AEST NSW Police confirmed Ava had “been found safe and well”.

“Following an extensive search — which involved NSW Police officers, PolAir, the dog unit, SES, RFS, and members of the community — the girl was found about 6.30pm safe and well,” NSW Police said.

Superintendent Nadine Roberts said Ava was in “surprisingly fabulous condition” and it was “the best-case scenario”.

“She’s well, she’s happy, not injured,” Roberts said. “She’s very happy to be reunited with her mum and dad.”

Police thanked the public and the media for their assistance.