Raising children on the autism spectrum is a journey filled with both challenges and triumphs. This story exemplifies resilience and determination in the face of issues that come with an autism diagnosis.
As a single mom navigating life with three children on the spectrum, Laurelle’s world turned upside down when her son Noah began to experience severe meltdowns. However, despite years of frustration and setbacks, she found a way to turn their struggles into an autism success story.
Through the power of creativity and love, Noah discovered his talent for writing. The family’s shared passion for storytelling has brought them closer together, and now they hope their story will inspire other families experiencing similar issues.
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Laurelle’s story: Noah’s meltdowns
As a single mom with three children on the spectrum and with ADHD, life wasn’t exactly easy, and I’d also spent the past several years homeschooling. I was so happy when my boys, Chris and Noah, went back to primary school, but it didn’t last long.
Noah would have meltdowns each day that lasted for up to two hours. The slightest thing could set him off. Then my other two would start having meltdowns, too!
When he was ten, he was prescribed medication for his anxiety, and he was already on other medication. It wasn’t long before things got worse. As soon as the dosage was increased, his moods began to get out of control.
Uncontrollable screaming and throwing things around the house, my other children and I would hide in my room, and I would hold myself against the door until he stopped.
Laurelle’s story: Looking for the right treatment
My eldest son moved in with my parents, and I kept trying to get help for Noah. We had six years of trying different dosages, on and off medication, and years of screaming.
No one would put Noah in the hospital because of his age, and I was left to deal with it all without much support.
I begged the public health system for help but was treated with condescension at nearly every visit. I had to ring the ambulance multiple times, and after five years, it was starting to affect my mental health, too.
Eventually, we were able to get onto national disability, but it didn’t help much, as the damage had already been done. Noah wouldn’t engage with his workers or go to therapy, and it was just one day at a time, trying to get through.
Nothing seemed to work or help his moods or his sleep patterns. Noah started to become extremely depressed and started saying really negative things about himself, like “I’m a failure.”
Laurelle’s story: Going back to homeschooling
I couldn’t get him to school and was threatened with a court order. Out of desperation, I decided to go back to homeschooling.
I was utterly devastated because he had been doing so well at school, and I couldn’t believe things had escalated to this point. No matter what I did, who I spoke to, or what medication we tried, nothing was helping.
I decided just to homeschool Noah and tell him every day how much I loved him. I told him he wasn’t a failure or a loser and tried to channel his energy into something positive while still trying to be a good mom to my other children.
Laurelle’s story: Discovering Noah’s passion for writing
I had already self-published a couple of children’s picture books, and Noah had taken a keen interest in learning about how it was all done. He had tried to write some stories and poetry when he was little, so I thought maybe writing a book would help him feel better.
At first, he wasn’t interested, but I kept gently nudging, and finally, he started. At the time, the OT told him he needed to eat well and exercise. We had also been watching Ghostbusters, so I think that’s where the idea for The Unhealthy Ghost came from.
We found an illustrator on the Internet, and we applied for a small arts grant to have our book formatted and ready for publishing, which we were granted. Noah has since formatted one of my books and helped teach me how to do this.
When the book finally came in the mail, Noah held it and said, “I’m not a failure.” It brought tears to my eyes, and I was so happy to see him smiling with pride.
Noah has since written his second book about a koala who is having an identity crisis. The bear travels around the world, meeting all different kinds of bears to discover what type he is, only to find out he isn’t a bear at all. He learns to love himself as he is.
Laurelle’s story: Bringing the family together
My daughter, Adele, and I also wrote a book together, which will be published in the next few months. It is about a mermaid and princess who must learn to work together and overcome their difficulties to throw a birthday party for the queen.
Adele has since discovered she loves to draw and spends hours drawing each day. She wants to be an artist when she grows up.
Sometimes, I joke and ask, “Will you illustrate my books for me when you get older?” She smiles cheekily and asks, “How much will you pay me?”
It’s been a challenging journey for our family, but we’ve come out the other end stronger and happier. I’ve been able to slowly repair my relationship and connect with my eldest son over time.
We’ve bonded over Dungeons and Dragons and watching movies together. We’ve even started working on a dystopian fantasy novel together.
I apologized to him for not being able to be there for him, and I think that is so important to help the healing process.
It’s an absolute privilege and joy to create something with my children that we hope will inspire others and bring joy to their lives. Our picture books are aimed at helping kids on the spectrum with things like anxiety and sensory eating issues.
Laurelle’s story: Noah today
Noah is now sixteen. Through the care of a private psychiatrist and after being failed by the public system, we were able to find a medication that actually works. We haven’t looked back.
Noah’s just started a Cert 2 in Applied Digital Technologies and is studying for his learner’s license along with his brother. The boys now have two amazing disability support workers who have helped them overcome a lot of the trauma we all went through.
Seeing my children thriving and happy helps me to heal, too.
