When Jane Bond’s son Joe was diagnosed with autism in 2019, organisation Amaze helped the family navigate through the early days adjusting to their new way of living, and now Jane’s hoping to give back and spread awareness through Amaze’s fundraiser — Hoodie Up for Autism.

Amaze is the peak body for autistic people and their supporters in Victoria and provides a wealth of information on all aspects of autism, something Jane, along with her husband Lloyd, drew on for support and which prompted her to get involved in the Hoodie Up campaign.

“I came across Amaze when Joe was diagnosed at about 18 months old,” she said.

“I didn’t have any experience with autism and in those early days you can feel really isolated and your world is turned upside down.

“Our psychologist gave us a list of local organisations for us to reach out to, one of which was Intereach. They gave us paperwork on more places to find support, one of which was Amaze.

“That was my first step for being able to navigate our new life.

“Their website has so much information, not only for parents but for teachers and schools, it’s not just about early intervention but for all stages of life.

“They really do everything and the reason I wanted to do this fundraiser was because it’s been such a help to me, and I know it will be in the future.”

Autism is a neurodevelopmental disability that affects the way people communicate and interact with others and how they experience the world around them. Around one in 100 Australians are autistic.

Jane said Amaze has been an invaluable resource that she and her family will be able to utilise throughout Joe’s, who is now three and a half, life.

“People want to donate and help but sometimes it’s hard to know which foundation to go to, there’s so many different ones, but Amaze is so good because it helps people and their families for their whole lives,” she said.

“One of the first things we had to do was tell our families, and we just didn’t know what to say.

“When I got onto the Amaze website, they actually have information on how to tell people, including information for how schools and family members can help both Joe and us.

“They even have a hotline you can call during the week, any issues you have you can refer back to them.”

The Hoodie Up fundraiser runs throughout April, with its official day held on the last day of the month, April 30.

Hoodies were chosen for the fundraiser as some autistic people experience sensory sensitivities and can become overloaded by stimuli in their environment and wearing a hoodie up means they can block out bright lights and busy environments which can help to calm them.

As well as raising funds, Jane said Hoodie Up for Autism raises vital awareness.

“I didn’t know the traits of autism which is probably why it took a little while to pick up on them, and I think I was little in denial as well,” she said

“A general trait for early signs of autism is that the child will start talking, and then they’ll just stop which is what happened with Joe.

“The autism spectrum is so wide that a lot of kids, and people, get diagnosed when they’re older.

“Some children with autism talk a lot so it can be hard to pick up. When they get to school often they’re seen as the ‘naughty kid’ because they have trouble focusing in class and can be disruptive.

“It’s only now I think in the past few years that there’s been a lot more awareness and parents are able to get the help to steer them in the right direction. Organisations like Amaze are that place where parents can go to see what the next steps are.

“They’ve also recently brought out some new information for newly diagnosed adults. I think now there’s so much awareness of it, adults are turning around and realising they may be on the spectrum.”

Funds raised through Hoodie Up will deliver vital support to autistic people and their families.

To donate to Jane and Joe’s fundraiser, or find out more visit https://hoodie-up.amaze.org.au/joebond.

Cash donations can also be made at Jane’s business, the Railway Cafe and Tracks Bar.