My travels with autism started long before my diagnosis at the age of three years and three months.

My family noticed autistic features from around 15 months of age. I never looked at people and did not respond when called. I lined up toys instead of playing with them. When I wanted something, I took people’s hand to get it for me. I had frequent meltdowns in busy environments or when routines changed unexpectedly, but I couldn’t let people know why I was upset.

I was later diagnosed with autism. My family grieved to hear that I might never be able to lead an independent or full life.

But my mother wasted no time in organising supports. Soon, my days were filled with home-based intensive behavioural programs, speech therapy and other supports. But unfortunately, I never learned to speak.

A turning point came when I was nine. I began learning how to communicate with a type of augmentative and alternative communication known as supported typing. I type on a machine with a keyboard, called a

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