Walking through the gates of Giant Steps six years ago has been life changing for all of us. – William’s parents
At 10, William’s autism-driven behaviours had escalated dangerously: self-harm, aggression, and property destruction dominated his life at both school and home. He destroyed multiple iPads weekly, flooded rooms, and punched holes in walls. Although he attended autism support schools, they struggled to manage his escalating behaviours. Rarely a week went by when we weren’t called to the school to take him home. His trust in adults had completely broken down, requiring multiple medications and frequent physical interventions.
Walking through the gates of Giant Steps six years ago has been life changing for all of us. There are no phone calls to come and get him. Rather, the team voluntarily came to our house to help us integrate programs into our home life. Giant Steps offered no quick fix, but provided what William desperately needed: consistency, structure, and a deep understanding of his mind. They recognised his need for visual cues, predictable routines and order. Slowly, this reduced his anxiety and extreme behaviours.
As the country shut down during Covid, Giant Steps stayed open and became an even more vital lifeline for our family. The school’s integrated mental health clinic, which we accessed in 2021, proved transformative. By connecting school data, medical input and home observations, we finally made informed decisions about his care. His medication list shortened and became more targeted. Progress remains fragile, and can be disrupted by illness or change – but the transformation is undeniable.
William, now 16, has strong relationships with adults, engages socially and enjoys his class. His repetitive behaviours sometimes come with mischievous glints, inviting interaction. He’s tall, playful and genuinely funny, exploring his world with a newfound calm and confidence we never imagined possible. Giant Steps didn’t just change William’s life, they transformed our entire family’s future. They walked beside us through our darkest times and helped us believe in a world where William isn’t just safe, but truly understood and valued.
*William’s real name has been withdrawn for privacy reasons. From his parents’ perspective.
