Family says diagnosis ‘not the end’
At the Berghan-Whyman home in Silverstream, one family member Freya, has communication difficulties, another, Tasha, can’t speak at all. Tasha is the family’s cat. But Freya, 9, who was diagnosed with Asperger Syndrome six years ago, loves Tasha like a sister. She has a thing for cats.
‘‘If you want her to do something, put a cat on it,’’ her mother Dayna said.
Freya, who attends Silverstream School, was diagnosed with an autism spectrum disorder (ASD). Later, genetic testing revealed that she has Alfi’s Syndrome - a portion of her DNA’s 9th chromosome being missing. The syndrome, which reportedly happens in one in 50,000 births, is the cause of Freya’s autism.
Empowering people living with autism, such as Freya and her parents, was the theme of the Autism New Zealand national conference, held at Wellington’s Shed 6 on August 19-20. Speakers from Australia, the US and New Zealand presented research on autism.
Autism New Zealand Chief Executive Dane Dougan said overseas keynote speakers provided valuable insights on early diagnosis and communication, and also how those with autism could use technology as a learning tool.
‘‘The ability to hear them first hand here in New Zealand was tremendously exciting.’’
Dayna and her husband Phil had no idea why their only child couldn’t initially pick up behavioural communication clues. She could understand her cat better.
‘‘She couldn’t read your face. I didn’t know that she didn’t know that I was angry with her, she just laughed at me,’’ Phil said. ‘‘Cats don’t have those expressions.’’
Communication has improved, but they thought the door had closed once a diagnosis was confirmed.
‘‘I saw her staying at home forever – no university for her,’’ Phil said.
He now realised a diagnosis was not the end. ‘‘She’ll still be able to do things most people do.’’
Dayna was unable to attend the conference, but she supports families as a phone adviser with Parent to Parent, for families whose members have any type of disability or impairment.
ASD is the fastest growing development impairment in New Zealand, affecting 77,500 New Zealanders – one in 58 people.