You must live it to truly understand what it\u2019s like loving and caring for someone who is on the autism spectrum, according to Torquay\u2019s Lauren Smith.<\/p>\n
Having relocated to the Surf Coast two years ago with husband Barry, her 12-year old son (who has Asperger\u2019s) and 10-year old daughter, Mrs Smith was unable to find support for herself.<\/p>\n
\u201cI moved from New South Wales to Torquay and I was new to the area, I didn\u2019t know anyone. I\u2019d tried on a number of occasions to find a local autistic support group for carers and hadn\u2019t been able to,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n
\u201cI didn\u2019t know a single person in Torquay with a child on the autism spectrum but knew there must be people in the community just like us.\u201d<\/p>\n
In April, Mrs Smith put out a call on the community noticeboard looking for a group, without success she went on to launch her own group in September.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe attend The Lab (a technology club for kids between 10-16 years of age who enjoy working with computers) at Spring Creek Community House every Monday. I know there\u2019s another group in Geelong, but I needed something closer to home.<\/p>\n
\u201cI put out a message on the Surfcoast Facebook page to see if there was a group and there wasn\u2019t, so I created one. I know
\nstatistically there are plenty of families living in the area that have children living with autism.\u201d<\/p>\n
This time her post generated more than 100 likes and the Surf Coast Autism Support Group was launched with 48 local members already.<\/p>\n
\u201cBecause I home-school my son I am kind of isolated, I felt the need to have a connection with other families that were going through similar experiences as me,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n
\u201cMy 12-year-old son is highly anxious in social situations, he doesn\u2019t like to leave the house which is isolating for us as a family.<\/p>\n
It\u2019s difficult to meet people – there\u2019s a lot of different aspects which is why it\u2019s called a spectrum.<\/p>\n
\u201cHis communication skills are poor (being able to express how he\u2019s feeling and interpreting how we\u2019re feeling in turn). He has attended mainstream schooling but doesn\u2019t cope with the business and noise as he has Sensory Processing Disorder.\u201d<\/p>\n
Mrs Smith said she believed support groups were essential for families that have one or more members on the autism spectrum.<\/p>\n
\u201cI absolutely believe you have to live it to understand and know what it\u2019s like. I\u2019m very good at putting on a front to appear everything is just fine but it\u2019s hard, it really is hard,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt affects every aspect of your life and family life and that\u2019s why it\u2019s important to have support, it helps. I think this will be a great resource for families and the wider community.\u201d<\/p>\n
Mrs Smith said the group had received backing from the Treehouse Geelong – a fellow ASD support group – which has enabled them to hire a room at the Kurambee Myaring Community Centre (KMCC).<\/p>\n
\u201cWe\u2019re hoping to commence within a month. The monthly catch ups will feature guest speakers and advice on how to make sure we\u2019re looking after ourselves also.<\/p>\n
\u201cWhen you plan children, you have expectations in your head about how you\u2019re going to raise them and with a child with autism, it\u2019s completely different.<\/p>\n
\u201cYour parenting style adapts and you\u2019re learning all the time. There\u2019s no manual, you try and find different resources you can put in place to support your child.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s a journey and every day we\u2019re trying our very best and the hope is we\u2019re doing the best for our child and our families. I wish for my son independence, self-care, education, employment and friendship and relationships.\u201d<\/p>\n
If you would like to join, search \u201cSurf Coast Autism Support Group\u201d on Facebook.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
You must live it to truly understand what it\u2019s like loving and caring for someone who is on the autism spectrum, according to Torquay\u2019s Lauren Smith. Having relocated to the Surf Coast two years ago with husband Barry, her 12-year old son (who has Asperger\u2019s) and 10-year old daughter, Mrs Smith was unable to find […]<\/p>\n