RAISING A SON WITH AUTISM: A JOURNEY OF LOVE, CHALLENGES, AND GROWTH
Tamson Beale’s journey as a mother raising her son with autism has been profoundly shaped by early intervention and the support of dedicated educators. Reflecting on the role of his early learning teachers, she shared, “They were incredibly involved. They were knowledgeable and calming, and they helped me understand autism and how to support an adult at his level.” His educators have taught Tamson crucial lessons on accommodating and supporting his well-being and interests, allowing her to understand. However, despite this invaluable support, Tamson has faced challenges due to the lack of access to comprehensive disability services. As a Kiwi living in Australia, her family has had to pay out of pocket for around 80% of the services her son has received. Although this family has faced financial burdens, the special needs educators' love, support, and guidance have given them the strength they needed to persevere.
When Tamson first noticed her son's developmental differences, she admits that she didn’t immediately recognise the signs of autism. Nadal's early learning teachers conducted a developmental assessment, identifying essential behaviours in his body language, such as delayed speech and tendencies to engage in parallel play instead of playing and interacting with other children. Through the educator's subsequent referral to a child development team after consistent observation, Tamson understood the needs and support her child needed to move forward.
The many challenges of raising a child with autism and managing sensory sensitivities have been one of the most significant obstacles, Tasks such as a haircut and his nail trims quickly became causes of distress for Nadal, and a lot of hard work, creativity, and patience were used to make the necessary tasks more manageable. This experience has taught Tamson patience, a quality she initially didn't have in her younger years. By adjusting environments and anticipating triggers, Tamson worked tirelessly to reduce her son’s overwhelm and make the world more comfortable for him.
Now that Nadal has grown, Tamson has learnt how to balance his needs by introducing structure with his desire for autonomy. Tasmon grew with the discovery of preparation and attended events like the recent Kuphaka Performance. I started telling him on Thursday that we would be going to Karratha on Saturday; we prepped him,” she shared. Embracing the experience, despite the sensory overload of large crowds and loud noises, Nadal joined in with the Haka and the songs alongside his family. During times when he’d become overstimulated for too long, Nadal would find a calm, quiet area to relax by using self-regulation strategies he’d learned over the years. For the other parents who are beginning their autism journey, Tamson’s advice is profound yet simple:“You are your child's first therapist.” Every interaction, no matter how small, is an opportunity for learning and growth, and trusting in their ability to guide their child through life is one of the greatest strengths a parent can possess.
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