Unlocking the Power of Perspective: A Parent’s Journey

It was when my eldest daughter started primary school that my life was suddenly turned upside down. 

Simple tasks all of a sudden were complicated, and my happy, outgoing girl became crippled with anxiety. Every afternoon she started throwing rage-filled “tantrums” (as I then called them) on a daily basis. 

We tried EVERYTHING. When the weight of it all became too much to bear, I found myself at a crossroads. My marriage was strained, and the behavioral issues with my daughter were mounting. Desperate for a solution, I sought the help of a psychologist. At the time, we labeled it as anxiety – the only explanation that seemed to fit. 

Eight weeks later, with no progress on our parenting plan and sometimes worsening conditions, I faced the psychologist and declared our efforts had yielded zero improvement. It was then that she suggested, “Could it be autism?” Her words struck me deeply. I completely broke down in tears, not from sadness, but from the profound sense of clarity that question had brought—something had finally made sense in a way nothing else had.

Every action was driven by fear—fear that my child might not fit in, that missing out on therapies could prevent her from leading a fulfilling life, and that our friends and family might not support us—I was overwhelmed.

Navigating the world of autism supports and NDIS funding became my second full-time job, while researching autism in girls became my third. I immersed myself in every book, website, podcast, and Facebook group I could find.

Every action was driven by fear—fear that my child might not fit in, that missing out on therapies could prevent her from leading a fulfilling life, and that our friends and family might not support us—I was overwhelmed. Drowning in a sea of information, with none of it truly feeling like it fit. This constant state of stress made me feel like I’d aged 10 years in just ten months. Realising that something had to change, I started to look for help specifically for myself this time. 

With the support of the Envisage program, I reconnected with what truly mattered to me, beyond the recommendations of therapists. I was able to remember the joy of family activities and realised how little we had engaged in them anymore. We began to prioritise fun over endless appointments, attending social occasions and events only if and when they suited us. I learned to say “no” or “not today” without guilt. The challenges remained, but I felt more confident and assured in my decisions for my family. 

Connecting with other parents in the Envisage program who faced similar struggles was a lifeline. Their stories and shared experiences broke my isolation, offering understanding, laughter, and even a shared tear or two

Connecting with other parents in the program who faced similar struggles was a lifeline. Their stories and shared experiences broke my isolation, offering understanding, laughter, and even a shared tear or two. This sense of community became one of the greatest gifts of the Envisage program. 

In just 90 minutes each week, the Envisage program provided me with a refreshed perspective—one that clarified my confidence in deciding our family’s journey.

Each day still brings its own set of challenges, and the road ahead is far from easy. Still, I’ve come to understand that I now have the tools and mindset to approach these obstacles with a greater resilience than before, and a sense of assurance that everything really will be okay. And, of course, a double strength latte also helps.