'a beautiful love story... about how two parents moved heaven and earth to make both their children's futures bright' Nicole Rogerson, CEO, founder of Autism Awareness Australia.
The Unlocking unfolds in pandemic-stricken Melbourne, charting one family’s desperate battle against the escalating behavior of their autistic toddler. Amid the lack of in-person services, Harry exhibits severely restricted eating, obsessive compulsive tendencies, crippling separation anxiety, and a demand avoidance that impedes every function in his young life. Harry meets the description of Pathological Demand Avoidance, a sub-type of autism that is not yet recognised in Australia, where an individual exhibits an anxiety-based need for control by avoiding the ordinary demands of living.
During a break between lockdowns, and with much trepidation, the family embark upon a journey with applied behaviour analysis (ABA) therapy. ABA is an intensive therapy considered the gold standard in early intervention for autism, but with a controversial past. The outcome is life-changing. Beneath the veil of dysfunction and anxiety, they discover an outrageously creative, highly intelligent, and hilarious little boy.
Porscia Lam is a Melbourne-based corporate lawyer. She took a career break in 2021 to care for her two young children, one diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder. The success of her son’s early intervention led her to write her first book, The Unlocking: An Autism Story, which was shortlisted for the Hawkeye Manuscript Development Prize in 2024 and earned a Kirkus Star in 2025.
Perfect for educators, service providers, and parents and caregivers of highly-anxious or PDA kids.
Children and teens are very welcome to attend as we’ll have a dedicated breakout and sensory space so they can feel comfortable while you immerse yourself in Porscia Lam’s powerful story.
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