04/08/2026
Some people see autism in black and white.
A diagnosis.
A report.
A list of traits.
But we know it in colour. š
We know the colours of headphones packed before every outing.
Of a safe food eaten for the hundredth time.
Of routines that bring peace.
Of plans that change without warning.
We know the colours of waiting rooms.
Of therapy appointments.
Of just sitting on the floor because thatās whatās needed today.
Of advocating when youāre really too tired to keep explaining.
Of wondering whether anyone else can see how hard today really was.
We know what it feels like to hear,
āTheyāre doing so well.ā
ā¦and just smile and nod.
Because they donāt see what it took just to make it through the day.
Unless youāve lived it, itās maybe hard to fully understand how home is one of the very few places where the masks can finally come off. Where they can finally exhale and just be themselves.
Some days our house is very loud.
Some days itās silent.
Some days there are lots of tears.
Some days just suck.
And thenā¦
Someone laughs.
Someone discovers something extraordinary in the ordinary.
Someone reaches for us.
And suddenlyā¦
Life is full of colour again.
Weāve had days that have stretched us to the absolute limit.
Theyāve taught us patience.
Theyāve taught us that communication isnāt always spoken.
That progress isnāt always visible.
That bravery doesnāt always look brave.
Theyāve shown us that two children (and their mum) can all share the same diagnosis, yet experience the world in completely different ways!
Because autism isnāt one story.
Itās millions of stories.
And ours is filled with lots of love, endless advocacy, overwhelming days, glimmers of joy, and tiny victories that feel as big as mountains.
There have been really tough days.
Days we wished life felt just a little bit easier.
But different?
Never.
Because they remind us, every day, that the world was never meant to be seen in black and white.
Through their eyes, we continue to discover colours we never knew existed.
Our little rainbow brains.
And we wouldnāt change a single colour.
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Photos: Melissa Decarli | Ballarat Photographer āØ
