Liam Dow-Hall: In Search of the Ordinary 

In September 2017, Liam Dow-Hall was a guest speaker at the biennial Asia Pacific Autism Conference (APAC), a prestigious event geared towards helping people on the spectrum realise their potential and achieve their very best. Liam presented his paper, ‘In Search of the Ordinary’ at the new International Convention Centre in Sydney to an audience of people from all around the world, including service providers, researchers and policy makers, and of course people on the spectrum and their families.

Liam has mild autism and mild cerebral palsy and has experienced the challenges facing autistic people firsthand. He explained, ‘My paper was called “In Search of the Ordinary” because I have had to work really hard at achieving ordinary goals such as getting job and buying a house.’ 

After graduating from the College, Liam attained a Certificate III in Hospitality and a Certificate III in Financial Services from TAFE. He also raised thousands of dollars for the Freo Street Doctor – a feat which led to him being awarded the 2010 Premier’s Award for Citizenship. Yet Liam still had considerable difficulties finding employment, applying for 350 positions in a
two-year period.

It was RACWA that gave Liam a chance in 2012, taking him on as an Administrative Assistant. He explained, ‘They researched autism and asked me what help I needed. They kept giving me more responsibility, but also found ways to work with my disabilities.’ He now enjoys permanent part-time status at the company. 

After sharing his experiences at APAC, audience members approached Liam to congratulate him, telling him he had given families hope and that he was an inspiration.

This year, Liam continues to go from strength to strength, having been chosen by the Autism Cooperative Research Centre as one of fifteen young people from Australia and New Zealand to undertake their “Future Leaders” Training. 

Liam’s hard work and determination is an example not just to the students of the College’s Education Support Centre but to all of us in the community.