Patrick Williams

When Max was diagnosed with high-functioning autism a year ago, it just made sense to mum Danielle Pritchard.

The three-year-old Brisbane boy had been having troubles with his speech, anxiety, and social skills among other small quirks.

Ms Pritchard knew just how important early intervention would be. As a teacher, she's worked with children similar to her own son before.

With the right treatment and routine finally in place, Max started to come into his own.

JOSH PRESTON

GYMPIE local Nelle Frances did not know where to find support when her son Sam was diagnosed with Autism, but she is hoping to show Gympie community members in similar situations they are not alone.

Ms Frances, a long time disability support worker who travels all over the country as an Autism Education Consultant under the banner of her Asperger Child organisation, is set to host an Autism Awareness High Tea at the Gympie RSL on May 1.

A school purpose-built for children with autism will open on the Gold Coast next week.

Josiah College has been custom-designed to suit the needs of autistic students who may struggle in a mainstream school environment.

Working closely with specialists in autism from the Bond University Centre for Autism Spectrum Disorder, the school's design takes into account everything from the positioning of land to the use of colours and even the movement of the school's fans.

FLIPSIDE Circus ensemble artist Ethan Langridge was the inspiration for a special production that sheds light on living with Asperger's syndrome.

The production, Kaleidoscope, presented by Company 2, will head to the Sydney Opera House immediately after the Lake Kawana Community Centre performances on April 13 and 14.

As a young teen, Ethan lives in a world that is a place of wonder - where everything is up for question.

Campbell Gellie campbell.gellie@dailymercury.com.au

THEY’RE almost like ticking time bombs, and several Mackay mums admit they are at the end of their tether when it comes to knowing how to handle their violent autistic sons.

The Daily Mercury has spoken to three mothers who feel helpless at the hands of their sons, who are continuously being suspended from school for their bad behaviour.

HELEN SPELITIS helen.spelitis@qt.com.au

Rollout nightmare as struggling mum locked in to wrong plan

HEAR ME: Yamanto mum Rhonda Utz with her kids Hayden and Shyanne. The family has benefited from the NDIS but also faced challenges in the planning process.

MUM Rhonda Utz struggles with everyday tasks like doing the groceries.

The Yamanto mum is completely blind in one eye and has two high-needs adult children.

Jasmin Lill

A BRISBANE mum says she was shocked to receive an anonymous letter from a neighbour complaining about noises coming from her autistic son.

Magenta Quinn found the letter at her Mount Ommaney home on Monday.

“When you moved in we heard these strange moaning and shouting coming from your garden every day and night, for which we were concerned may be illegal activities, so we contacted the police who in turn have visited your premises,” the letter said.

Darren Cartwright

THE $22 billion-a-year National Disability Insurance Scheme is under fire for giving approval to a US program to treat autism that has not undergone scientific trials.

The program, called Neuro-Fit Systems, has been embraced by parents, but AMA Queensland has questioned its approval by the NDIS.