Craig's Story

We, Christine (58 yrs) and John (63 yrs and a returned service pensioner), are the carer’s and parents of Craig who is 32 years old and is Autistic, with intellectual disabilities.

We also have a daughter Joanne who is 29 years old and lives in her own unit.

Craig was born 13th March 1977, after a long birth of 20 hours. He was pronounced a healthy baby boy, reaching all milestones average for his age, until he was 22 months.

We noticed his behaviour changed shortly after we moved to the country, when John received a promotion as Branch Manager of a bank in Gulgong. He started to have temper tantrums, walk on his toes, had no eye contact and had lost his speech. He would also run around the “magic track”, following a fence perimeter in the back yard.

We saw Doctor’s in the local area who advised us, this may be the “terrible two’s” and not to worry, he will probably grow out of it and to wait another 6 months. We sought the help of a program A.N.S.W.A., located in Coffs Harbour, (which we drove to once a month); this was to help, through exercises to stimulate the left and right side of Craig’s brain, which proved helpful.

Our second child Joanne was born 30th June 1980, a healthy child.

At age 3.5 years, Craig was seen by a 2nd G.P. in Gulgong, who referred us to a specialist at the Prince of Wales hospital in Sydney, for a week of tests, which confirmed Craig to be diagnosed with Autism. We said, “What is this and will he get better?”

From here we were then referred to the Tumbatin Clinic, which was attached to the hospital. We saw another specialist who advised us to come back to Sydney to receive special education for Craig.

A Psychologist from the Autistic association flew to Gulgong to assess Craig at home, to see if he were eligible to be enrolled at Forestville Autistic School. He was successful but had to be put on a waiting list.

 John was transferred back to Sydney January 1981, to West Ryde, and we were able to move back into our Gladesville home.

Craig started preschool in 1981, at St John’s, North Ryde, with teacher support, 2 days a week. The 3 other days a week day he received early intervention program at home. Through D.O.C.S. he received intense speech and occupational therapy, which continued for many years, on a weekly basis.

He started at Forestville in this year and was there until he was 8 years old, 1990. From here he progressed to Cromehurst Special School and stayed here until he graduated with his school certificate at 18 years. Cromehurst is where he met friends with whom he still keeps in contact with today. During this time he participated in extracurricular activities such as; music, art, athletics and swimming. He was fortunate enough to represent NSW in Swimming and Athletics in the 1992 Pan Pacific Games, where he was awarded gold, silver and bronze medals. He also represented NSW in Basketball and Swimming for the Special Olympics.

Craig went to St Anthony’s cottage at Croydon, a home for respite care, 1 weekend a month, from ages 8-16.

Craig partook in work experience at several locations such as; the Teachers Credit Union, a music store in Crows Nest, Knox Grammar School, as a kitchen hand.

His employment started in a Timber yard in Willoughby, he was there for 3 years, and then was retrenched. He was unemployed for 6 months and due to his behaviour, needed to see a psychiatrist, who diagnosed Craig with paranoid behaviour, which required medication.

After his unemployment he worked at various supported workshops over the next several years at; Chatswood Industries, David Morgan Enterprises, Rydalmere and New Horizon Enterprises, North Ryde where he remains. His employment at New Horizons has been the longest for him, 6 years, and he enjoys his job.

He has lived in a backyard cabin, since his 21st birthday. The intention was to make him more independent, increase his living skills, to therefore make the transition into his own future accommodation by age 30.

Over the past few years, instead of further developing his living skills, we have found that they have actually declined.

Craig receives through B.C.S. a one to one recreational support officer once a fortnight, to take him out for 5 hours.

Christine joined RASAID to lobby government to provide care for our children in the future.