INSPIRATION IN EVERY STEP!
Hear the stories, discover their why,
and be inspired to walk too.
ADDIE
I want to help other kids like me feel proud of who they are.
"My name is Adeline, but most people call me Addie. I am 9, Autistic and I have ADHD. I was diagnosed with Autism when I was 5. My brain works a bit differently, and I’m proud of who I am.
I am very lucky because I have lots of amazing support. My family are always there to help me when I need it. I have a wonderful psychologist, and I’ve had great physios and OTs. I also have amazing teachers who really understand me and help me learn.
I love dancing and singing, and one day I want to be a singer like Taylor Swift. I am proud of my amazing imagination; it is one of my biggest strengths.
I wanted to support the Walk for Autism because I discovered not all kids get the same support as me and this made me worried about them. I think every autistic kid deserves to feel happy, supported, understood, and accepted by those around them.
I want to help other kids like me feel proud of who they are and to thrive. Every kid deserves support, kindness, and a chance to shine."
COURTNEY & ALBY
Finding beauty in a different path.
"I noticed from a very young age that my son, Alby, was different. Having four other children, it was impossible not to see it - he was incredibly different in the way he developed and experienced the world. He wasn’t reaching milestones like the others, and deep down, I knew our path was going to look very different.
Autism changed our lives completely, and I won’t pretend otherwise. There is a grief that comes with that- it’s a quiet, ongoing grief for the life you thought your child would have, and the version of motherhood you thought you were stepping into.
It hasn’t been easy. There have been hard days, overwhelming moments, and times where the weight of it all feels too heavy, yet alongside that grief, there is also growth.
Alby has changed me in ways I never expected. He’s taught me patience, resilience, and to slow down and see the beauty in progress that others might overlook.
I’m still learning to hold both - to grieve what I thought life would be, while fully embracing what it is. And what it is, is still meaningful, still valuable, still ours.
Sharing our story is about honesty, understanding, and letting other families know they’re not alone."
You can follow Courtney and Alby on TikTok @advocatingalby
SOPHIE & BUDDY
Sophie was inspired by her son, Buddy, to walk throughout May.
"Our son Buddy was recently diagnosed with Level 3 Autism and non-verbal.
Buddy is the most sweetest, gentle beautiful little boy and we say he talks without talking! He hand leads us to what he needs and knows exactly what we are saying - it’s just Buddy!
Since the official diagnosis I have wanted to learn more about Autism, talk to others with it in their lives and create awareness to the world about Autism. The amount of people who have reached out to me since posting about starting this walk challenge - commenting their child has autism, or their sibling is autistic - is exactly what my goal was. Talk about Autism and be proud of our little Buddy and who he is! If we can just help one family with our donations it will be worth it."
ISABELLA & NICHOLAS
Walking for her amazing brother Nicholas.
"My older brother Nicholas is on the autism spectrum, and growing up alongside him has been one of the most defining experiences of my life. It’s a relationship filled with incredible highs, as well as challenges that many people don’t fully see or understand unless they’ve lived it themselves. I wouldn’t change my brother for the world, but I do wish the world would change for him - to become more understanding and inclusive of people like him. Coming from a migrant, single-income family, we often felt those challenges even more deeply.
I’ve never done a fundraiser before, but autism awareness is something I feel so deeply about. Since working in commercial radio in Tasmania (Hit 100.9 Hobart) I’ve learnt how powerful it is to use my platform to talk about how growing up with a sibling on the spectrum has impacted my life and how healing it is to hear other people’s stories!
I’m thrilled to be walking for Autism Spectrum Australia - to help create a future where families feel supported, communities are more inclusive, and autism is not just better understood, but embraced. Because while autism can be complex, it is also incredibly beautiful."
KARISSA & CONNOR
Walking for her beautiful son, Connor.
For Karissa, taking part in the challenge is deeply personal.
Her son Connor is Autistic, and she says the journey has reshaped how she sees the world.
“Connor is non-verbal and experiences the world in his own unique way,” says Karissa. “He is funny, cheeky and full of personality, with a deep capacity for love and connection. Connor is my beautiful little boy, and being his mum is the greatest privilege of my life.”
While the journey hasn’t always been easy, Karissa says it has been filled with growth, perspective and moments that matter.
“Autism comes with its challenges, but it’s also brought so much love, growth and perspective into our lives. Connor sees the world differently and that’s something I’ve learned to really value and celebrate.
“Walking this May is about helping others see what I see, that different doesn’t mean less. Every child deserves to be understood, supported and accepted for who they are.”
Karissa says parenting Connor has made her more patient, compassionate and resilient, and has deepened her understanding of what true inclusion looks like.
“I’m taking part in Walk for Autism because awareness and understanding really do make a difference,” she said.
“When people better understand autism, it helps create a more inclusive and supportive community, not just for Connor, but for so many other children and families. Every step is a small way to show support and remind families like mine that we’re not alone.”
JESS, BEN, MAX & KENNEDY
Parents walking for their autistic children, Max and Kennedy, and for every Autistic person.
"Max is 8 and autistic. He’s funny, energetic, and completely obsessed with comics - he loves reading them and creating his own. Collecting BFDI plushies is his favourite thing in the world. When he’s happy, you feel it instantly.
Kennedy is 6 and also autistic. She is thoughtful and kind, happiest when she’s colouring or playing with her cousins. She is cheeky, playful and loves animals. Sometimes we call her "Keny Irwin".
Like many autistic children, the world isn’t always set up for them. School, in particular, can be overwhelming - the noise, structure, social expectations, and pace can make it incredibly hard to feel safe, understood, and able to learn. What makes a real difference is access to the right environment.
Being able to attend a school that understands autism, where educators recognise sensory needs, communication differences, and individual learning styles, can completely change a child’s experience. It creates space for them to feel safe, build confidence, and actually engage in learning in a way that works for them.
Getting a diagnosis didn’t change our kids - it changed our understanding. It helped us realise they don’t need to fit the world; the world needs to meet them where they are. But access to the right support, including specialised education, isn’t always easy. That’s why we’re walking. We’re walking so more children like Max and Kennedy can access the support and schooling they need to thrive, not just get by.
And we’re walking to celebrate them - exactly as they are."
CON
Making a difference for himself and others - one step at a time
"My name is Con Pappas and I have recently started a weight loss journey to improve my overall life.
With the help of personal trainer Pedge Coaching Fitness, I am now in a regular active routine where I am walking at least 10,000 steps per day and I have been eating a structured meal plan.
The overall goal is to reach 90 kg by Christmas Day this year. In September 2025 I weighed 118 kg and as of April 2026 I am currently at 100.3 kg.
As I’ve been documenting my weight loss journey through my YouTube channel 'The 10K Dad Project' I discovered the Walk for Autism campaign and this instantly gained my attention.
If I am walking 10,000 steps a day for my own weight loss journey then I can definitely walk 7000 steps a day in May to raise awareness for autism in Australia. My ultimate goal is to spread the word and awareness of autism and inclusiveness.
Every donation raised for this campaign will benefit families dealing with autism every day. All I ask is for people to follow me and support the campaign so that we can raise enough donations to help those in greater need."
VY & MARCUS
The support that changed everything for Marcus
"My son is autistic and when we first started the schooling journey, it was so hard and difficult to find the right fit.
He wasn’t “severe” enough to go to a special needs school but wasn’t able to cope in a mainstream environment. Even a support unit within mainstream would be too much. His main triggers are loud and busy environments and Aspect Macarthur provided the perfect fit for him!
Small friendly personalised school who knew exactly the ins and outs of autism. Once he felt safe, he thrived!
We couldn’t be happier and so proud of the progress he’s made while respecting who he is and celebrating the person he is."
MAX & FAMILY
A Family Walking for Their Son, Max
"At just 2.5 years old, our son Max was diagnosed with Autism. Hearing those words changed our lives forever. Suddenly we were thrown into a world of therapy appointments, specialists, assessments, paperwork, funding applications and endless advocacy. It felt like learning a whole new language overnight while also trying to support our little boy the best we could.
Max is non verbal, but that does not mean he doesn’t understand. One of the hardest parts of our journey has been watching people underestimate him because he cannot communicate with spoken words. Max understands far more than most people realise and every single day he finds ways to show us who he is, what he loves and how deeply he connects with the people around him.
Life as an autism family is beautiful, exhausting, rewarding and heartbreaking all at once. There are incredible highs and there are moments of complete overwhelm. Safety is something that is constantly on our minds. Wandering, impulsivity and danger awareness are very real challenges for Max and because he cannot verbally tell someone who he is or where he belongs, everyday outings can carry an extra level of fear and vigilance.
There are also many things people do not see behind the scenes. The hours spent attending therapy sessions, school meetings and specialist appointments. The sleepless nights. The emotional exhaustion. The constant planning required just to get through everyday tasks that many families take for granted. Being a full time carer is relentless and while we are incredibly lucky to have amazing therapists and support around Max, we know so many families are still fighting for access to the help they desperately need.
One thing that continually amazes us about Max is his strength. He has an incredibly high pain tolerance and often does not react to injuries the way most people would. He has broken bones, seriously injured himself and barely shown signs of pain. Moments like these are a reminder that autism can affect so much more than communication alone.
Despite the challenges, Max has taught us more about love, resilience, patience and perspective than we ever thought possible. He has shown us that communication is more than words, progress looks different for every child and joy can be found in the smallest victories. A smile, a connection, a moment of calm or a breakthrough that others may not notice can mean everything to our family.
Participating in Walk for Autism is deeply personal for us. It is not only about raising funds, it is about raising awareness, understanding and acceptance. It is about helping people see beyond stereotypes and recognising that every autistic child and family has a unique story. We walk for greater support, for inclusion, for understanding and most importantly, for Max.
Max continues to teach us every single day. Our journey is still unfolding and while we do not know exactly what the future will look like, we do know this: Max is extraordinary and we will never stop advocating for him and families like ours."
NIX & SON
Walking for her son and to raise awareness for Autistic Australians.
"My son was officially diagnosed February 2025, although we assumed he was on spectrum quite early on. My wife, Catherine, completed the Walk for Autism last year but I was pregnant and high risk with our 2nd and couldn’t partake. This year I promised myself to complete the walk to help raise awareness for autism.
I work in a corporate job and think about the challenges that my son would have in the type of role I am in. The stigma that also comes with being on spectrum and whether that would be well received by the time he reaches of age to work and contribute to society.
My hope is that the fundraising and posts I have done, and will do, will reach others. To help show a positive outlook with patience in mind. For people to pause before any judgements and think is there a better way to support that person or family. For the future of not only my child but every person on spectrum to find and love the life they wish to live and to have people surrounding them that will continue to love and support them."
NEILSON & SON
Walking for his son, whose journey inspires his family every day.
“Our son who has Down syndrome was diagnosed a few years ago with autism. He’s our angel that keeps achieving small goals which impact our family greatly. He helps us see through him that we can do all things. How can we complain about our challenges when we see how much he has progressed with what he faces. He’s my inspiration to fundraiser for Aspect (Autism Spectrum Australia).”
ANGELINA
Walking for herself and every Autistic person.
"I was 26 years old when I discovered I am (AuDHD) ADHD and Autistic, and being diagnosed at such a late age definitely had me wondering what life could have been like had I known earlier and received the necessary supports in my earlier years.
I struggled in a lot of ways, and spent most of my teen years up until diagnosis having major physical & mental health battles. I never realised I was autistic, mostly because I, like so many others, had a completely limited understanding of what Autism is and how it presents.
When I got diagnosed, everything finally made sense, and I finally felt freed from thinking there was just something “wrong” with me. I’ve become extremely passionate since about a) spreading awareness & helping people understand what Autism really is, especially in context of high-masking autism b) helping other Autistics embrace their different minds and c) doing what I can to advocate for inclusion & proper supports for the Autistic community. When I saw the walk for autism campaign pop up on my Instagram I knew I wanted to be a part of it, not only to raise much needed funds but also as an opportunity to spread awareness within my closer community, spark up conversations about a topic that is often not spoken about, and to be a part of making a positive change toward something that is so personal to me."
