AGXStarseed
Well-Known Member
(Not written by me)
Boy whose mother was told his autism was so severe he would never speak or feel love... now he's a world-renowned artist after she realised he could communicate through his drawings
When Judy's son was diagnosed with autism at three years old, she was told by a specialist that he would not be able to ever communicate with her and he would be incapable of feeling love.
How wrong they were. Her son, Tim Sharp, now 27, from Brisbane, has well and truly defied the diagnosis, and has gone on to become a world renowned artist, has been nominated for young Australian of the Year twice, and gives regular Tedx talks at the Sydney Opera House.
But the mother of two admits she nearly gave up all hope that her first born would find his niche.
'When you have a child you think your life will follow a certain way, you'll go to this school, go to your job... But when you have it all taken away you have to somehow start again,' Judy told Daily Mail Australia.
The specialist who was an expert in childhood disorders, told Judy that her son would eventually need to go into an institution as he would become a burden in a normal household.
'It was like being given a death sentence or terminal disease diagnosis,' she said.
'Because the internet was not like it is today.. I went straight to the library and tried to find a book on the condition and the librarian even asked me how autism is spelled,' Judy said.
But a year later, after overcoming a fear of pencils, Tim began to draw and his personality began to shine.
'From his first drawing it was clear he could communicate, he drew a fully formed elephant that had buckets of personality,' Judy said.
'His drawing was a million times more than I expected and I always believed in him and never doubted his intelligence once.'
Once Tim attended school and began to connect with other children his own age, his confidence in himself grew and when he was 11, he created his first superhero character, Laser Beak Man.
'I burst out laughing the first time I saw it,' Judy said.
'I think this creation was bubbling over in his head for a long time as he always loved superheroes and wanted one of his own.'
Now 27, Tim is a world renowned artist and cannot keep up with the long list of commissioned pieces people all over the globe have requested.
He is the first young man with autism to have his creation turned into a television series after Laser Beak Man was turned into an eight-episode series that aired on ABC3TV.
He has been nominated for Young Australian of the Year twice and received a standing ovation after his Tedx talk at the Sydney Opera House in 2014.
Tim's brother Sam, 25, is also a high achiever after having trialled for the Olympics in swimming.
'I’m not a pushy mother! Ive never said you have to go and do this im just so happy they have both found their passion,' Judy said.
SOURCE (With Images): Tim Sharp's mother was told his autism was so severe he would never feel love | Daily Mail Online
Boy whose mother was told his autism was so severe he would never speak or feel love... now he's a world-renowned artist after she realised he could communicate through his drawings
- Judy Sharp was told her son Tim had autism when he was three-years-old
- The 'specialist' said Tim would never be able to communicate or feel love
- She was told he would need to be institutionalised as he would be a burden
- Now a renowned artist, Tim has his works hanging in galleries worldwide
- He has also been nominated for Young Australian of the Year twice
- Judy has written a book titled 'Double Shot of Happiness' about her son
When Judy's son was diagnosed with autism at three years old, she was told by a specialist that he would not be able to ever communicate with her and he would be incapable of feeling love.
How wrong they were. Her son, Tim Sharp, now 27, from Brisbane, has well and truly defied the diagnosis, and has gone on to become a world renowned artist, has been nominated for young Australian of the Year twice, and gives regular Tedx talks at the Sydney Opera House.
But the mother of two admits she nearly gave up all hope that her first born would find his niche.
'When you have a child you think your life will follow a certain way, you'll go to this school, go to your job... But when you have it all taken away you have to somehow start again,' Judy told Daily Mail Australia.
The specialist who was an expert in childhood disorders, told Judy that her son would eventually need to go into an institution as he would become a burden in a normal household.
'It was like being given a death sentence or terminal disease diagnosis,' she said.
'Because the internet was not like it is today.. I went straight to the library and tried to find a book on the condition and the librarian even asked me how autism is spelled,' Judy said.
But a year later, after overcoming a fear of pencils, Tim began to draw and his personality began to shine.
'From his first drawing it was clear he could communicate, he drew a fully formed elephant that had buckets of personality,' Judy said.
'His drawing was a million times more than I expected and I always believed in him and never doubted his intelligence once.'
Once Tim attended school and began to connect with other children his own age, his confidence in himself grew and when he was 11, he created his first superhero character, Laser Beak Man.
'I burst out laughing the first time I saw it,' Judy said.
'I think this creation was bubbling over in his head for a long time as he always loved superheroes and wanted one of his own.'
Now 27, Tim is a world renowned artist and cannot keep up with the long list of commissioned pieces people all over the globe have requested.
He is the first young man with autism to have his creation turned into a television series after Laser Beak Man was turned into an eight-episode series that aired on ABC3TV.
He has been nominated for Young Australian of the Year twice and received a standing ovation after his Tedx talk at the Sydney Opera House in 2014.
Tim's brother Sam, 25, is also a high achiever after having trialled for the Olympics in swimming.
'I’m not a pushy mother! Ive never said you have to go and do this im just so happy they have both found their passion,' Judy said.
SOURCE (With Images): Tim Sharp's mother was told his autism was so severe he would never feel love | Daily Mail Online
