$ (1)$解:由题意得$\triangle ABC≌\triangle DEC$
∴$BC = EC,$$∠ACB=∠DCE$
∵$BC = 2,$$∠ACB = 90°,$∴$EC = 2,$$∠DCE = 90°$
∴$∠ACB+∠DCE = 180°,$即$A,$$C,$$E$三点在同一条直线上
$ $又$AE = 6,$∴$AC=AE - EC=6 - 2 = 4$
$ (2)$证明:延长$AB$交$DE$于点$F$
∵$∠ACB = 90°,$∴$∠ABC+∠BAC = 90°$
∵$\triangle ABC≌\triangle DEC,$∴$∠EDC=∠BAC$
∵$∠ABC=∠DBF$
∴$∠DBF+∠EDC = 90°,$即$∠AFE = 90°$
∴$AF\perp DE,$即$AB\perp DE$