Personal Journeys
Real life stories of families on the journey of ASD. We would like to thank those who have sent us their stories to share with others. If you have a story you would like to share please email us at info@autismnz.org.nz or post it to us at PO Box 42052, Tower Junction, Christchurch 8149.
Below are a couple of our newest personal stories from family members on the journey of ASD. If you are interested in reading more of our families personal journeys please click here.
Personal Story
My son, John (not his real name), is an only child as his father & I split up when he was very young (approx 10 weeks old). Until recently (17 years later), I had never remarried.
John was a late diagnosis – at approximately 12 years old. I knew very little about autism at that stage, although I knew it was not something you wanted. Years ago I had met a lady who had a son with classic ‘Kanners’ autism - he was non verbal, banged his head repeatedly against the wall and shrieked loudly. I remember it being only a very brief encounter but also being a little frightened at the time, not really knowing much about what her life must be like.
My owns son’s diagnosis came about partly because I had exhausted all other options but also because the school my son was attending at the time suggested he may have ‘Aspergers Syndrome’. I wasn’t really sure what that was but initial snippets of information I gained access to provided some answers for his behaviour, but also didn’t seem to fit the bill as most people with Aspergers I had read about had an area of ‘genius’, or special interest that they were fixated on and John had none of that. To view all of this personal account please click here.
Personal Story
I lived in Hamilton and my son was diagnosed at 5 years old at Waikato Hosp. I knew something wasn't right when at 4 years old he was still in nappies, could only say "mum", the physical attacks on me and his dad were too much to take, not eating anything good (veges, fruit) and nothing green would he eat or drink, running away from home and hiding in cupboards/tables etc.
The first year at school for Scott was the worst experience I had ever been through. I had to leave my course because I had to keep going to the school with change of clothes as he would wet and poo. When he was diagnosed with Aspergers I was devasted but at least I had something to work on. At the age of 5 he was at a 2 year old level for everything- speech, learning abilities, behavioural, emotional etc.One day I got the worst phone call ever saying Scott had escaped from school (he didn't understand boundaries/rules that schools offer), they found him down the road at a playcentre. His teacher was having "stress" leave all the time because Scott was such a handful, he always was "in your face", always me me me! He hated loud noises and would cover his ears and scream, if he was scared he would run under a table and wouldn't come out, when it was "mat" time or assembly time while sitting down he would rock backwards and forwards and if he got excited he would jump and flap his hands (all autistic features). To view all of this personal account please click here.