Australian dads from all walks of life have opened up about their experiences parenting children on the autism spectrum – in a new film about autism and fatherhood released today.
The 36 minute short film, produced by leading autism organisation Autism Awareness Australia, follows the stories of twelve Aussie fathers with children on the autism spectrum as they discover a new world of parenting and what it means to be a dad.
Autism Awareness Australia chief executive Nicole Rogerson said the film was created to provide guidance, information, and support to fathers with children on the autism spectrum.
“When children are diagnosed with autism, the support structures in place are often tailored towards mothers – but where does that leave the dads?” she said.
“Sharing stories and experiences is how we learn and support one another – but there are few resources out there to support dads of children on the autism spectrum, who we know often have very different experiences to mums.
“That’s why we brought together a group of dads of all different ages and vastly different backgrounds to tell their stories – stories of success, of struggle and of family.
“Each one of them is so different, but with one thing in common – a child on the autism spectrum,” Ms Rogerson said.
