I started this unusual parenting journey 21 years ago with the birth of my first child, Ruby, and my son joined our lives seven years later. When your child lines up their toys and prefers to look at manhole covers in a park instead of beautiful Eastern Grey Problems, you quickly realize as a parent that there is an issue. We are facing epidemic proportions of children being diagnosed with ASD, and the causes are still unknown. Yes, there are opinions, but that doesn't help when you hear the heartbreaking news as a mother that your children have Autism.

For me, I did what any normal mother would do—I went home and had a cry in the bathroom away from the children. Then, I shifted into FIGHT mode, like one of those incredible World War II cartoon women used to encourage women to work at home to support the war effort. I spent months researching the diagnosis and completed an autism awareness course online at a Melbourne university to prepare for the many challenges I would face as a parent. My husband has been supportive of the children, but it took time to adjust to the new "Normal"—making sure my child's day is planned, watching for sensory issues when taking them out, and choosing the right therapies such as psychology and occupational therapy to help reduce the overstimulus effect of meltdowns when out in public.

I quickly learned that I was judged harshly by other parents if my child had a sensory meltdown in a shopping aisle, believing it was bad behavior and a lack of discipline. I have faced harsh criticism from family, friends, strangers—you name it. My poor self-esteem and morale have been badly damaged to the point where my own identity was lost, and I was a hollow shell of my former self. It wasn't until I embraced my Faith as a Christian and had a chance meeting with an amazing American pastor who told me these wonderful words I needed to hear: "God gave you and your husband these children with Autism because he knew you could handle it." That was it—like a sprinkle of fairy dust—I embarked on this monumental journey of fighting back through the power of the written word. 

Balancing time as a parent of special needs children is tough—sleep often takes a backseat, and finding time to write can feel impossible. My life was a whirlwind; both my husband and I took on full-time disability caregiving, living on just a few hours of sleep. We moved to a small country town seeking a fresh start, but unfortunately, I faced judgment from local churches that spread rumors about my family’s needs. That was deeply painful, yet I felt God guiding me, showing me I was like a pioneer exploring new grounds. I realized I could become a Christian Autism Advocate by sharing openly through my parenting book, The Crazy Mother's Guide To Raising Exceptional Children. As my children grew into teenagers, God gently made more time available for me and encouraged me to honestly share what life is really like behind closed doors. 

The nights on suicide watch for an out-of-control teenager, the numerous medical appointments, family criticism, and the lack of social support in the local community. I became imprisoned in my own box and alone, judged by other Christian women. Writing our family's life story was liberating, and it has now allowed me to focus on my passion for writing fiction for children and teenagers. I have all the educational training—a degree in Communications and Literature, training as a radio journalist, and experience as a high school teacher. I just needed to have faith in God and myself as a writer to follow through and create large print work for ASD individuals and others who may have dyslexia or ADHD, and need books with large print, smaller paragraphs, plenty of white space, and illustrations to help process the information and actually finish the book.

My wonderful children have achieved many remarkable things, and now I want to give back by sharing my heartfelt, faith-inspired stories to support other families. I write because I truly love it. After many years caring for my children's medical needs, I have finally regained my sense of purpose. While my faith, husband, and children remain my top priorities, writing is a small luxury that helps me process my experiences and hopefully inspire other parents of children with special needs. It’s important to recognize what happens behind closed doors. Everyone wants to be noticed, but what these parents need most is compassion and understanding, especially in public during their child's sensory meltdown. No criticism—just kind words like "You've got this," or "Can I help in any way?'—can make a significant difference during times of high stress. 

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God Bless,

Sonia D.