Max's Story: Managing Autism with Holistic Care, Perseverance, and Hope

“The doctor of the future will give no medicine, but will interest his patients in the care of the human frame, in diet, and in the cause and prevention of disease.” – Thomas Edison.

As Max's mum, I’ve witnessed firsthand how Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) is not a one-size-fits-all condition. Every child on the spectrum experiences it in their own unique way, facing a mix of challenges and opportunities. Max, with his bright and spirited nature, has shown me just how much potential lies within when given the right support and encouragement. His journey has been a testament to the power of holistic approaches—focusing not just on his diagnosis, but on nurturing his body, mind, and environment. With the right care and understanding, I’ve seen Max flourish in ways I could have never imagined. This is a story of growth, hope, and the incredible strength children with ASD can have when they’re given the tools and love they need.

Understanding Autism: A Personal Perspective

When Max was diagnosed with autism at the age of three, we both felt a wave of uncertainty and fear. We wondered what this diagnosis meant for our child and how we would navigate a world that often seemed overwhelming and confusing.

These emotions are something many families experience when faced with a similar situation. But over time, we realized that the key to helping Max thrive was in recognizing and embracing his unique strengths as well as his challenges. Our journey has been filled with trials and triumphs, but through it all, we've focused on creating a nurturing and supportive environment where Max can truly flourish.

Max exploring the great outdoors, surrounded by trees and sunlight.

Holistic Care: The Pathway to Unlocking Potential

Max’s Journey: Overcoming Sensitivities and Finding Balance

As a trained N.A.E.T. Practitioner and Kinesiologist, my mission has always been to support my son, Max, in overcoming the challenges of environmental sensitivities and food intolerance's. Over the past seven years, I have found that through N.A.E.T., Max has experienced significant improvements in his well-being.

Living with autism can be a profound challenge, but through N.A.E.T., and various therapies. Max has found a newfound sense of balance, ease, and growth. It’s been truly remarkable to see how this approach has helped him with his speech, improved his sleep, and brought about positive changes in many areas of his life. What once seemed impossible now feels within reach, as he continues to thrive in ways we never thought possible. This journey has only deepened my commitment to supporting Max at every turn, and I am filled with gratitude for the incredible progress he continues to make. Each step forward is a reminder of his resilience and the power of the right support.

Given the challenges Max has faced, we felt it was essential to explore treatments beyond conventional medicine. We embraced a holistic approach, focusing on the balance and harmony between Max's body, mind, and environment to support his overall health and development.

While there is no medication that can cure autism, we were cautious about the side effects of the drugs typically prescribed to manage its symptoms. These medications often come with a range of harmful side effects, including constipation, seizures, addiction, anxiety, hallucinations, depression, infections, paranoia, and high blood pressure, to name a few. We knew that this was not the path we wanted for Max. Instead, we chose to pursue a more natural, nurturing way forward that prioritized his well-being and allowed him to thrive without the burden of these dangerous side effects.

Max’s Story

 Its taboo to say that early diagnosis of Autism is a time of mourning, but honestly, it is impossible to say how a parent may feel when the suspicion starts to creep in that their child might well have a disability. For some parents, it’s heartbreaking or for others, it’s a relief, as they now have an answer and a diagnosis for how their child is behaving.

For many more, it’s a mixture of the two, and that’s where we fitted in.

Deep down we knew there was something not quite right with Master Max, when he was 2 years old we noticed his speech wasn’t developing like his peers. 

Other parents told us, “he’s a boy, don’t worry about it, my brother/sister/niece didn’t talk till they were about 4 or 5, now they won’t stop!” this was a typical response from many people and one we felt relieved with, however, deep down, we still knew something was going on with Max as he had developed other signs.

He wasn’t at all affectionate, on most days now and that truly breaks a parents heart. 

I just knew it wasn’t our parenting; maybe it was just a boy thing as my other two children were 13 & 10 and were very affectionate children. I now cringe at my outlook on how I perceived parenting and how children should behave because I saw myself as a perfect single mum. I had two girls I could take anywhere, their manners were impeccable, and the comments I received on how well behaved my girls were just showed me how good of a mother I was. If a child played up poorly in public in the past, I would judge and think it’s all the parent’s fault they have no idea how to bring a child up; I would never let my child do that to me in public. 

So when my wonderful husband, and i got together we had a beautiful baby boy; (Max) he was a surprise from the word go, so as you can imagine our surprise when we believed that Max may have Autism and how you as a parent, find it very easy to get stuck in denial & put your head in the sand.

Max had many other behaviours we watched slowly emerge his love and fascination for ceiling fans was to the point obsessed he would also spin around in circles & not get dizzy. He was lucky to get 4-6 hours’ sleep & any chance of escaping to play with drains was an obsession for him so we had to put a pool gate up in the family room of our new home for his safety, so he couldn’t get out at 2am and escape while we were asleep.... he really was a Houdini.

Other things became noticeable when he was at kindy. We found Max did not fit in very well with the other children; he was happy to play on his own & many of the kindergarten teachers could not handle him, so he would be placed outside and left on his own, while the children would play inside. Then Max started to cry as soon as we would turn the corner to the street of his kindergarten, then I knew something was wrong, he wasn’t a sooky kid. I knew it was because he felt he was being rejected, who wouldn’t all the kids are inside while he is out on his own; he was not a child to cry; he could fall over and cut himself and get right up again without a tear.

We then took max to another kindy and over the weeks the same thing there happened a lot of teachers just didn’t know how to handle him in a class, so he was put outside on his own to play, then Max's behaviour started to change and he was turning into such a naughty boy at kindergarden, biting & spitting at other kids, throwing objects at windows to wake the babies up. 

It broke our heart to hear Max was becoming so destructive even toward babies, there was a nastiness that was becoming him, and he wasn’t our little boy anymore. 

Max started to dread going to kindergarten. I tried enrolling him in other schools, but each time we met with the staff, they suddenly found themselves "full" or felt that Max wouldn't fit in. After discussing his challenges with one of his teachers, she shared that they had encountered similar situations before, as they had children with autism of their own. That's when we decided to visit Margaret Holloway in Bundaberg, a specialist known for her incredible work with children with special needs.

From the moment we walked in, Margaret's insight was immediate. She began asking thoughtful questions, and it quickly became clear that she recognized the signs of autism in Max. At that time, I was still unfamiliar with the vast spectrum of autism and didn't fully understand how uniquely it could present in each child.

Margaret spent time playing with Max, and then she gave us the news we had been dreading.

No parent can ever truly prepare themselves for a moment like this. As i exchanged a look with my husband, we both felt our hearts break. It felt as though we had just been handed a sentence for our son’s future. Although we had anticipated this diagnosis, it hit us harder than we ever imagined. My heart shattered, and I couldn’t even bring myself to tell our family and friends.

After struggling on with mainstream kindy for a while, we were lucky to be able to get Max into E.C.D.P. in Hervey Bay. This is when we realised and witnessed first hand, the difference between mainstream and special education units.

 The staff in special education are educated to deal with difficult behaviours, I could see Max was changing he was really enjoying it there, starting to interact with the kids and staff, it was such a joy to watch. I knew then this is where he needed to be in this type of environment. 

The only problem was they only have E.C.D.P. classes only run 2 days a week and each class only run for two hours a day. As I researched further and started understanding and accepting the path of the way we needed to go I started to see and understand the importance of having children with Autism needing to get at least 20 hrs of this type of schooling a week, (before the school years), the research was positive and I could see this is what Max needed before he could go to school as they learn differently to us. I knew something had to be done by the time he turned 4 he was so ready to learn I watched the enthusiasm in him he was such a busy child he wasn’t a boy to sit and watch T.V. or play iPad etc…so I looked into A.E.I.O.U. 

Unfortunately, A.E.I.O.U. had closed a few years back in Hervey bay which didn’t make sense as Autism is increasing at an alarming rate. 

A lot of people/practitioners told me the negativity about A.E.I.O.U., but I just knew this is what Max needed. Our decision was made he would go to A.E.I.O.U., we loved their concept on A.B.A. development it was such a breath of fresh air for him. We made the move to the Gold Coast as we were accepted into A.E.I.O.U. on the Gold Coast.

Scientist say by 2025 half the children born will suffer with autism in some way. It’s not going to go away, we need to educate ourselves and help these children.

Celebrating Achievements, Big and Small

Understanding autism reveals that progress isn't linear; it's a varied journey filled with ups and downs where even the smallest victories shine brightly. Each achievement, regardless of size, deserves full celebration and pride. Max's journey illustrates this beautifully. From mastering social skills to navigating a crowded grocery store without overwhelm, every triumph is significant. These moments reflect his growth, resilience, and the supportive environment surrounding him. With dedication and love, Max has transformed into a vibrant, engaged boy. His once-quiet world is now full of excitement and curiosity, highlighting that no progress is too minor to celebrate. Each step forward symbolizes his strength and the bright future ahead. This reminds us that no achievement, no matter how small, should be overlooked. Every accomplishment is a milestone to cherish, bringing us closer to a future rich with possibilities. Celebrate each victory, as they are all essential to our remarkable journey together.

For those who understand autism, the path to progress is rarely a straight line. It's a winding journey with peaks and valleys, where the smallest victories often shine the brightest. And yet, each achievement—no matter how big or small—deserves to be celebrated with all the joy and pride they bring. Max’s journey was a symphony of milestones, each one more meaningful than the last. From the moment he mastered a new social skill, a breakthrough in communication, to the simple but profound triumph of navigating a crowded grocery store without becoming overwhelmed—every step was a victory. These moments weren’t just goals checked off a list; they were powerful transformations that reflected his growth, resilience, and the love surrounding him. With unwavering dedication, a heart full of love, and a holistic approach to his care, Max blossomed into a bright, engaged, and enthusiastic young boy. His once-quiet world was now bursting with excitement, curiosity, and endless potential. Every day was an opportunity to celebrate who he was becoming—and who he was already. Max’s story is a testament to the idea that no progress is too small to be proud of. In fact, every step forward is a celebration of his strength, his growth, and the promise of everything still to come. It’s a reminder to all of us: no achievement, however tiny it may seem, is ever insignificant. Each one is a milestone worth cherishing, a moment worth savoring, and a step that carries us closer to a future full of endless possibility.

Those familiar with autism know that progress is often uneven. Yet every milestone, regardless of its size, deserves recognition.

From conquering a new social skill to successfully navigating the grocery store, Max’s journey is rich with achievements. With dedication, love, and a holistic approach to care, he has slowly evolved into an enthusiastic young boy, full of promise. His story serves as a reminder that every step forward — no matter how small — is worth celebrating.

Inspiring Journey of Hope and Resilience

Max’s journey stands as a powerful testament to the potential within all children, especially those on the autism spectrum. While challenges persist, the lessons learned throughout this experience illustrate that autism is a different way of experiencing life, not a limitation. At the heart of this journey lies the belief that every child is capable of remarkable things when provided with the right support and love.

Navigating the world of autism advocacy can feel daunting, but with persistence, hope, and a holistic outlook, we all can contribute to unleashing their full potential. Just as Thomas Alva Edison envisioned, the future of care will center as much around nurturing and understanding as it will around treatment.