ADDY FITBIT DEAL
WHEN Karen Firth’s three children were diagnosed with autism the Barwon Heads mum began to suspect she may have been living with the disorder for decades.
Her children, twins aged 10 and a nine-year-old, were each diagnosed at age two, after Ms Firth observed they were sensitive to light and not meeting developmental milestones like talking and pointing.
The 47-year-old said while reading through information about the disorder it became clear that she had many of the same challenges and characteristics.
“I always found socialising really difficult. I felt like I made mistakes all the time,” she said.
“I always felt different and like I was copying other people and trying to be socalled ‘normal’ and it’s tiring trying to do that.”
Ms Firth’s suspicions were confirmed with a formal diagnosis four years ago.
“After the diagnosis I felt relieved. I felt like I had a better understanding of me,” she said.
“My mental health has been a lot better now because I am a lot more accepting of my challenges and I know how to work with autism and not against it.”
Today, Geelong will be the first region in the state to host a free Amaze Autism Forum.
The forum is intended to provide information and support to people with autism, their families and carers.
It will cover common misconceptions, treatment options, NDIA services and employment opportunities.
Ms Firth said the event would be particularly helpful for those who were newly diagnosed.
“When you first get a diagnosis you don’t know what to do or where to get quality information,” she said. “There’s plenty of misinformation out there and it’s all negative which is not a good thing either,” she said.
“Autism has its challenges but there is so much positive stuff. I wish someone had told me that.”
The series of events was triggered when Victoria’s 2017 Parliamentary Inquiry into Autism highlighted that regional Victorians faced a disadvantage when trying to access autism services.
The free event is on from 9am-3.30pm today at Geelong Conference Centre.
To book, visit eventbrite.com.au and search Amaze Regional Roadshows