Autism Awareness Month - April 5

Throughout April we will be sharing a different story each day to help raise Autism Awareness and highlight how peoples' lives have been touched by Autism and Autism Queensland in different ways. 

Veronica's Story

My name is Veronica and my husband, Mark, and I havetwo beautiful children, our life was “normal”. Our son Julian was three and a half when we welcomed a gorgeous girl, Poppy.

When Poppy was nine months old she was diagnosed with mild Cerebral Palsy, we went to physiotherapy every fortnight so she could hold her head up, sit, crawl and walk. We managed…. At age two, Poppy decided she didn’t want to sleep anymore and was so active we were exhausted. At tow and a hlaf she was diagnosed with Aspergers and ADHD. Now it was not only physio but OT courses as well as working and looking after our son, Julian, who had just started school.

We were doing ok, chasing Poppy all over the place, trying to get her to stop drawing on walls and eating food out of the bin, when our world once again fell apart. Julian was six and in grade one and started showing very angry out burst at school, I had to leave work 2-3 times a week to pick him up. The school had to empty one of the first aid rooms where they put him so he could have a melt down without getting hurt or hurting anyone else - we didn’t know what to do. After six months of testing Julian was diagnosed with Aspergers & ADHD. We struggled with Julian, but with the help and support of the school he is attending, we managed.

Poppy attended Autism Qld’s Early Intervention Program in 2008 and it was the best year for her, she changed and learnt so much, she is now in grade two and doing so well. Poppy is intelligent and reading and writing, she is still an “Interesting" child, leaves our house in ruins and is still exhausting but doing so well.

Julian attended Autism Qld in 2009 & 2010 for three days a week while attending main stream school two days, it was amazing! He learnt how to walk away when he was angry, talk about his feelings and so much more. He even learnt to eat more than chicken nuggets every night, we are now up to five different meals for him it is very exciting. He is now back at school full time and doing very well -  his teacher this year is not sure what we are all talking about as she is new to the school and never got to see Julian have an outburst.

We cannot thank Autism Queensland enough for everything they have done for our wonderful children; they have the patience of saints and work miracles.

We love our “normal” life, thank you Autism Queensland for all your help and support!

The Wilson Family
xxxxx