13 Flying the Nest - Elizabeth Falconer revisits her sons journey with Autism

“Falconer is a valuable member of the team. He has incredible customer service skills. Always keen to get stuck in and help where he can. “

Employer Report

Photo Credit Millie Pilkington Spring 2014

Flying the Nest

Elizabeth Falconer updates Country Child on her sons journey with Autism.

First featured in Country Child back in Spring 2014, we caught up with the Falconer family to see where their son is now in overcoming the stigma around the disability.

My son is flying, in fact soaring! The quote opposite was from a recent report from his job. Yes work! I am going to take you briefly on this journey. A different peregrination of his young life. Reverse to several years earlier. Reports flowed from age three onwards, through medical personnel or teachers. Descriptive terms used like; odd, quirky, eccentric, strange and even naughty. However by eight years old a diagnosis came of Asperger’s syndrome. This is a form of Autism.

Autism Acceptance

Birds have a unique ability to take advantage of a weather phenomenon known as thermals. Thermals give birds a lift. They gain height using little energy flying great distances. Autistic individuals often see the world differently, yet if they tap into their ‘thermals’ they reach heights never thought possible. Thinking about the positive aspects of Autism can change how we view disabilities. This is not watering down the hardships, obstacles and difficulties. Every Autistic person is different. I do not intend to over simplify challenges. Instead celebrating what has become the reality of our lives. Falconer was homeschooled from fourteen. Unable to fully function in the way mainstream schools are set up. This created a chance to increase his life skills. Education took on a whole new meaning. He showed a great attention to certain details, retaining and recalling facts. Being homeschooled allowed time for interests and obsessions more, weaving favourites into other important subjects. The long-term memory and visual skills are akin with a bird’s eyesight. Skills strengthened like, money management, baking, household chores, dog walking, gardening. He thrived! He throughly enjoyed learning and generated a profound erudition. Normal barriers to learning were thrashed, he was encouraged and motivated rather than enervating. Many of the skills being learnt and attributes of Autism became a real benefit for a future job. A very brief summary of outstanding achievements reached through the teenage years. Falconer has recognised qualifications in education. He learnt to drive and passed his driving test in six weeks. Additionally he now runs his own home and works full time. The obsessions and determination like a peregrine falcon driven to the prey, makes such goals attainable. We all like happy endings and positive progress reports. This brief journey is to inspire, especially those who have disabilities and to the assiduous parents. We want to change the stigma and opinions of some employers. We want to see opportunities of inclusiveness. Falconer accepts differences, less likely to judge, incredibly honest, loyal and shows commitment. There can be great difficulties with Autism, mainly perceived by others. With the right intervention they can flourish. We would like to change the thinking in some schools, and how to support such ones more. See the benefits they add to the world, they have a great deal to offer. We could all benefit if we understood Autism more. They look at the world in a unique way, this is original, no pretending, it is refreshing and inspiring. We should let these people really be themselves. Accept them, don’t try and change them to conform in a neurotypical way. They cannot pretend they are Autistic, this is who they are. True comfort for all in Autism acceptance. Yes it does take time, it is a journey! Embrace who they are. Accept Autism. Fly with them!