The Unlocking: An Autism Story

The Unlocking unfolds in pandemic-stricken Melbourne, charting one family's desperate battle against the escalating behaviour of their autistic toddler. Amid the lack of in-person services, Harry exhibits severely restricted eating, obsessive-compulsive tendencies, crippling separation anxiety, and a demand avoidance that impedes every function in his young life. Harry meets the description of Pathological Demand Avoidance, a sub-type of autism that is not yet recognised in Australia, where an individual exhibits an anxiety-based need for control by avoiding the ordinary demands of living.During a break between lockdowns, and with much trepidation, the family embark upon a journey with applied behaviour analysis (ABA) therapy. ABA is an intensive therapy considered the gold standard in early intervention for autism, but with a controversial past. The outcome is life-changing. Beneath the veil of dysfunction and anxiety, they discover an outrageously creative, highly intelligent, and hilarious little boy.The Unlocking is an atypical memoir spanning five epic years-agonising and wretched, hilarious and triumphant, offering solace and hope to others while shining a spotlight on a little-known profile of autism. It is an ableist's humbling lesson on disability.

• | Author: Porscia Lam
• | Publisher: Kind Press
• | Publication Date: Feb 25, 2025
• | Number of Pages: 00224 pages
• | Binding: Paperback or Softback
• | ISBN-10: 1763508323
• | ISBN-13: 9781763508323