Game on: Stephanie Harper, and her son Blair, have been practising their drawing for their Drawtism event. Picture: Ted Kloszynski
When Stephanie Harper's three-year-old son Blair was diagnosed with high-functioning autism, it meant taking on a whole new challenge that would change her whole life.
"I was learning something new every day," she says. "It's a lifetime disability, but it's very understated. It's not as high profile as some other disabilities."
Ms Harper wants more people to understand what autism is and that's why she is holding a 'Drawtism' event later this month.
The 23 year old will host about 30 people for a fun game of Pictionary to raise awareness and money for people living with an autism spectrum disorder.
Pictionary was chosen as the game for the campaign because it has an authentic connection to the experience of autism, and the struggles they face daily to be understood.
Ms Harper first noticed her son wasn't developing normally at about 11 months old because he was able to say three words, and then lost them.
"We went to the maternal health nurse to check him out. We then had to take him to a paediatrician and he was diagnosed."
She said that while she and her partner had suspected Blair had autism, it was still very upsetting to hear the news officially. "There was a lot of guilt - what could I have done during my pregnancy differently?"
Luckily, Ms Harper had the support of her grandparents, particularly her nan who had a child with severe disabilities.
"Our life has changed a lot because now we have so many appointments and case workers and a speech therapist," Ms Harper says. "But I just love him to death."
Ms Harper says she isn't the world's greatest 'drawer', so she'll be officiating the Pictionary games at the event. "I'll be making sure no one is cheating and if they lose, they have to do something silly like sing a song," she says.
The event is on Saturday, May 26. To find out more call Stephanie Harper on 0425 726 881 or go to drawtism.com.au.