Former Home And Away star turned radio host Christie Hayes has opened up about life with her 11-year-old son Hendrix, who has level 3 autism, as she urges Australians to get behind the Walk For Autism campaign this May.
Hayes — whose tense exchange with Prime Minister Anthony Albanese over calls for a royal commission into violence against women recently made headlines — said raising awareness for autism was a deeply personal cause.
Challenges of Raising a Child with Autism
Speaking on The Morning Show, Hayes revealed some of the challenges her family has faced.
“Hendrix didn’t say the word mum until he was four ... I’ve never really heard him ... I’ve never had a proper conversation with my son,” she said.
“I see the way that he is so different, and I think the world needs to be more patient with people who live with autism.”
Walk For Autism Campaign
Hayes, who starred as Kirsty Sutherland in Home And Away for more than 12 years, is encouraging Australians to take part in Walk For Autism throughout May, which challenges participants to walk 7,000 steps a day while raising funds and awareness.
“People with autism don’t always live in a world that’s built for them. We need to have inclusivity,” she said.
“There are wonderful days, but there’s also really hard days. Meltdowns, lack of sleep. It is difficult at times.”
Walk For Autism participants can choose to walk 7,000 steps a day for a week, a fortnight, or the entire month of May, with the funds raised helping to support Australians with autism and their families at all life stages.
