EP2: 'Autism is not the end of the world, it's the start of a different journey', Tanika Davis

Picture this, in the past 18 months you’ve had some of the biggest milestones of your life so far - you had your first child, a beautiful little boy, married your partner and graduated from university. It’s been some of the best times of your life.

You’ve done all the reading on motherhood and the way things are ‘supposed’ to go, but you’re not obsessing over the milestones your baby is supposed to hit and when, your son is moving at his own pace and that’s fine with you. One thing that does cause concern though is the way he’s always gagging or choking on his food - you fear there might be something wrong with his tongue so you take him to the doctor. 

In that appointment though your life is turned upside down - the doctor thinks your son might be showing early signs of autism. 

This was what happened for proud Worimi woman Tanika Davis and her husband Adrian in 2017. Having their son Slade diagnosed with autism was terrifying at the time and raised more questions than answers - but it also set them off on a new journey to turn this new fact into an opportunity to raise awareness and create resources for Aboriginal families in particular, with children on the autism spectrum.

Tanika is my guest on today’s podcast. She's the founder of @_theiammovement and has a powerful story that will inspire you all to think about autism differently.

Support Tanika's work by following her  on social media @_theiammovement or read more at https://theiammovement.com.au/

If you're enjoying the show, please subscribe and share with your friends and family! Read more about the show and find out who next week's episode will feature by visiting our Instagram: @alwaysourstories

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Always Was, Always Will Be Our Stories is Written, Hosted, Produced and Edited by Marlee Silva, on the unceded lands of the Dharrawal people. We pay our deepest respects to those people and their Elders past and present, whose connection to this place has remained unbroken for over 60 thousand years.

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Theme Music: 'Run' by Tristan Barton

Podcast Artwork: @wuruhi.auaha

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