NSW Police & Spectrum Support Press Announcement

When life becomes overwhelming for one of her three profoundly autistic sons, Kathrine Peereboom’s go-to plan is a drive to the local park. The familiar route is one of the quickest ways to soothe Oliver, eight, or Joshua, seven and five-year-old Tyler, who crave routine and thrive in structured environments like most children with Autism

Peereboom has similar sentiments about raising her three boys, who all are diagnosed with level three — the highest diagnostic level — which requires very substantial support. She says, “It’s extremely difficult at times, but my god, it’s equally amazing”. Although her non-verbal boys have taught her more about who she wants to be in

I try my best to stay composed and get him into the car, but I couldn’t help myself. “He is a child! He is autistic! How do you feel picking on an innocent child?”. They didn’t care, he was an annoyance and they had no empathy. I got into my car and burst into tears.