Siân Williams - Specialist Autism Consultant, Special Education Teacher.

Hi, my name is Siân Williams founder and Director of Autism Action Pty Ltd. It gives me great pleasure in telling you about the impact of working with families of children with autism. 
I started my journey into autism when I did a teaching practicum at the then, Irabina SDS (now Wantirna Heights School).  Before going I did a little reading on autism but had no ‘real’ understanding of it.  I remember sitting next to a 3 year old girl who would scream for apparently no reason…this intrigued me but at the same time I had no clue how to engage with a child that didn't seem to want to 'play' or talk to me.  Still curious I did another teaching practice on a camp for families to have respite during the school holidays.  The child I cared for was a little boy who was obsessed by ‘Thomas’, water and later I found out, fire! You guessed it we stayed at a recreation centre in Ballarat that had an open fire place, a running creek, and a video player, but no Thomas! As we had to sleep in the same room with our little charges by the 3rd night of constant head banging on his mattress and crying I became exhausted! I also became very annoyed by his behavior, why couldn't he just go to sleep, couldn't he see that I was tired! By the 4th night the little boy was so stressed after a day out at Sovereign Hill that all he could do when he came back to his room was head bang on the concrete floor. As an inexperienced onlooker I was so sad I burst into tears with frustration and helplessness because I was not given any training and therefore did not have the understanding of his autism and the tools to help him feel in control.This experience was a pivotal moment for my career as a new teacher. 

After graduating with a Graduate Diploma of Special Education I worked as ‘Travelling Teacher’ for Mansfield Autistic Centre. This amazing service provides families in rural Victoria a 'live in' autism teacher for one week. Followed this I developed my skills as a classroom teacher at Western Autistic School.
Now I'm  married and a Super mum to 3 (rascals) children!.  Raising children and trying to be a wife has given me a better insight on how a family can function or dysfunction. It’s this ‘real life’ experiences and my professional background which has helped me as an educator to developed programs, which suit individual needs and to support all people with an Autism Spectrum individual learning style.

 
I love what I do and still after 15 years of working with children with an Autism Spectrum Disorder I still wonder what that little girl was trying to say. It is this ‘wonder’ that keeps me learning and teaching about autism. There is nothing more satisfying than seeing a parent or professional reach into their child's world and make a mutual connection.