It all started with graduating from the University of Wollongong and moving back to Sydney to start my career. After months of searching for any job, I came across a job ad on LinkedIn. The opportunity was to be a marketing and communications graduate and work for Autism Spectrum Australia (Aspect), a company that has played a massive part in my own life, my family's and of course, my amazing, older Autistic brother, Joshua.
In the early years of Joshua's life, Aspect provided countless therapy sessions for speech, reading and comprehension, and sensory techniques. He also attended an Aspect primary school satellite class.
Joshua is one of the kindest, happiest, funniest and most positive people many have the pleasure to meet. He's also a walking movie encyclopedia. Seriously, name an actor, director, music composer, and he'll be able to tell you the other projects they've worked on, awards, and accolades. The depth of knowledge is insane. He's always been a big outdoors person, enjoying bush walks, the beach and horse riding.
My first memory of Aspect was when my Dad asked me if I wanted to go to an Aspect camp designed for siblings with an Autistic brother or sister. This was a significant and profound experience for me, as it was one of the first times meeting other people and families on the same journey as ours. The incredible staff, food and activities made it memorable.
Another profound experience was going out in public for family gatherings and activities. I used to get incredibly angry, frustrated and upset by other people's demeanor, judgmental looks and sometimes comments. I was never embarrassed by my brother. Why would I be? I was just incredibly let down by the general public's first reaction and experience with Autistic individuals. Joshua, to me and my family, was just being himself.
Both my mother and father did an amazing job of raising us. We were always encouraged to pick our hobbies and sports, and our parents would always have our backs, keeping us accountable to our goals and aspirations. They always encouraged me to interact with Josh and his hobbies and interests. Even though we didn't talk much, we’d always hang out, played Game Cube games together, watched movies, listen to music and quote movies together.
As the years go on, Joshua continues to push barriers.
The growth and resilience that Joshua has shown over the years are truly different and brilliant. From performing on stage for his high school's play "Footloose" to graduating high school. The sudden change from his school environment to attending a brand new after school program, "Northside Enterprise," provided him with job skills, allowed him to continue pursuing his interests in drama and dance and the opportunity to learn new skills, like catching public transport. He eventually landed on his "Bush Link" career, an amazing and welcoming organisation that helps the local community through bush regeneration.
All these accumulating efforts, challenges, and perseverance surpass his most recent amazing achievement yet: moving out of the family home with two roommates and support staff. As my Dad's mate put it, "His world just got that much bigger.".
Joshua's future
From my experience as a sibling, I am acutely aware of the huge responsibility that lies ahead of me in terms of Joshua's care in the future. Ideally, Joshua will continue to be supported by his current NDIS funding, enabling him to live with his two roommates and support workers and continue to reach for the stars.
It has brought us closer as a family, and we are better people for it.
Although Joshua required more attention as a child, my parents made sure that we were always treated the same. I truly think this is key to a family. He's also taught us valuable lessons, from being more patient and supportive in all situations to caring for all.
I will forever do my best to love and cherish all of Joshua's differences for the rest of his life. I couldn't be more grateful to have him as my older brother.
Written by Sean Pickering, incredibly proud, younger brother to Joshua
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