ND Life: Sonia Pang on Raising Millie
Sonia Pang, on raising her youngest daughter, Millie, voiced a heartfelt response to other parents about (Dr Camilla Pang) and autism.
Sonia’s daughter Millie is an award winning author and autism advocate.
Millie, who was diagnosed with autism age 8 has written a new book called “Perfectly Weird, Perfectly You”, a unique guide to growing up perfectly weird and perfectly happy.
On her website, Millie says:
Blessed with the solid combination of ASD, ADHD, and PhD – I use the powers of neurodiversity to navigate the under-passed connections of how human psychology can meander beyond the norm. The study of humans, and analogous evolving systems are my life long passion which is fed by books, observation, and intricate sensing which I process through the lenses of science and art in my writing.
Join the Community
Download the app to access more specialist advice, community support and wellbeing tools.
Join today as a Contributor member to gain free* access!
Download now
*Free access, in return for contributing to Aybe on a weekly basis, for example by commenting, liking, responding to feedback requests. See Terms & Conditions.
Raising a Child on the Autistic Spectrum
Sonia said, “I’ve had a lot of messages about my youngest daughter Millie @dr.camillapang and Autism – and the books she has written about it. (Most recently ‘Perfectly Weird, Perfectly You’) specifically for children. There are many mums (and dads out there) who have reached out to me and congratulated me and said how much they appreciated the insight and inspiration her words have given.
I want you all to know that raising a child on the autistic spectrum takes no special skills. I felt the fear you are feeling, the despair and confusion on bad days. The exhaustion and frustration most days. School was a minefield of problems waiting to trigger meltdowns. Everything seemed to get in the way.
As a family we rallied and became used to investing in good behaviour or changing the way we spoke to appease fears in Millie. To make the days easier for her and us all. I had no idea what I was doing and read as much as I could to help me understand. I fought for every scrap of support at school. And appealed against decisions that would’ve been detrimental to Millie’s development. I still had no idea what I was doing, but I was teaching at the time and knew there were systems and processes that could be challenged. I think things are better now but there is still room for a better more inclusive learning environment.
The books I read then talked about ASD as a disability. I wish now that I had never apologised for Millie’s alternative personality traits. Because through Millie’s eyes she delivers a beautiful handbook on how to negotiate neurotypical behaviours with self acceptance. I would have grabbed this book with both hands back then.
I understand that there are parents with profoundly autistic children. And that this would not help in any way with that. But I also know that help is instantly available to you as on this stage of the spectrum more visible and less silent. It is profound and sadly absolute. Asperger’s is not. It is mostly hidden and often late to diagnose… different communication pathways and heightened sensory awareness can be paralysing in a different way. Millie continues to work incredibly hard and that is her superpower.
To see a recent feature of Millie in her neurodiversity advocacy work, watch this video.
Are you looking for more inspiring role models for your neurodivergent child? Ever wondered what are the common strengths associated with autism or ASC? We would love feedback on any area you’d like to have more information on as we grow.
Join the Community
Download the app to access more specialist advice, community support and wellbeing tools.
Join today as a Contributor member to gain free* access!
Download now
*Free access, in return for contributing to Aybe on a weekly basis, for example by commenting, liking, responding to feedback requests. See Terms & Conditions.
