Pippa* is a vibrant, funny, and tech-savvy young girl, constantly on the go.

Known for her love of sports and sharp sense of humour, she seems outgoing and energetic.

But at home, Pippa’s more reserved. She’s usually hiding away in a cozy space, listening to audiobooks, and playing with her collectables, reliving her day quietly.

For years, Pippa's quirky behaviour was dismissed as age-appropriate, and not a need for concern or investigation, but as she approached her 11th birthday, things became increasingly difficult.

She started experiencing daily meltdowns, frequent stomach aches, and began avoiding school. Tragically, thoughts of self-harm emerged, and the situation escalated when she ran away from home, sending her parents, Mia* and Tony*, into a panic.

They knew Pippa needed help, but finding the right support was a challenging journey.

A transformative journey 

Advocating for Pippa in the healthcare system was not easy.

Many professionals offered well-meaning advice that failed to address Pippa's unique needs, however her incredible ability to adapt and “people-please” often masked her true struggles, delaying the support she desperately needed.

After consulting another mental health professional, the only conclusion was that Pippa was experiencing depression, however, Mia and Tony felt this didn’t capture the full extent of Pippa’s experience. Frustrated after more appointments, they finally found hope with our Social Worker, Jen*.

Through several sessions, Jen suggested an autism assessment. When the diagnosis came back confirmed, it brought clarity to the family.

“It wasn’t that something was ‘wrong’ with her, she just processes the world differently,” Mia explained. This understanding allowed the family to explore new ways to support Pippa, and slowly, things began to improve.

Pippa's journey has been transformative. While meltdowns still occur, they are now less frequent and intense.

With the confirmed diagnosis, tailored strategies have been implemented at home and school to better support her emotional wellbeing.

“Recently, Pippa participated in a sports tournament with thousands of participants - something we thought would be impossible,” Mia shared.

With her weighted blanket and headphones, she had access to a quiet space in one of the school vans while staying at the marae. Tony was there to watch her compete - a moment of pure joy. “Seeing her happy and thriving was incredible!” he said.

The tools they received through Jen’s support have opened better communication, allowing them to talk through their challenges as a family.

“The way Pippa and her family have approached each obstacle with determination and heart is truly inspiring. They’ve shown an incredible amount of strength, and it’s led them to growth and transformation,” shared Jen.

Mia and Tony reflect on their journey with both relief and pride, knowing they had to advocate relentlessly to get the help Pippa needed. “It takes a toll, but your child is worth it,” Mia advises other parents.

Now, with this newfound understanding and care, Pippa’s future looks brighter than ever.

*Throughout this article, some names have been changed and stock imagery used to protect our client's privacy.