By Lili’a Lemuelu-Viliamu
Finding the right autism help for your child isn’t always straightforward. As parents of an autistic individual, we knew our son Faga was struggling, academically and personally. His behaviour was becoming more challenging, and he found it hard to manage and express his emotions. Staying focused, and even staying awake during the day, was difficult. He also struggled with coordination in sports, balance, timing, and movement control all affected his confidence.
We turned to the Davis Autism Approach®, a programme designed to support autistic individuals in building the skills and self-understanding they need to thrive. When I thought about who could help, Claire Ashmore, a Davis Facilitator based in New Zealand, came to mind immediately. I’d seen her work first-hand. Her ability to genuinely connect with young people and her depth of knowledge made the decision easy.
When we told Faga he’d be meeting a friend of mine, he was open and even a little excited. After his first session, he kept asking when he’d see Claire again. That told us everything, he felt understood and safe in a way we hadn’t seen before.
As the sessions progressed, it became clear he needed more intensive support, which meant travelling to spend a full week with Claire. He was excited but unsure. At one point he asked, “Mum, is something wrong with me? Why do we have to stay for a week?”
We reassured him: nothing is wrong. He learns differently. This was about understanding how his mind works and giving him the tools to grow and build confidence.
That conversation changed things, not just for his learning, but for how he sees himself.
At the end of term, Faga received five principal awards across mathematics, physical education, ancient histories, science, and engineering. For a child who once struggled to stay focused in class, that’s a remarkable outcome.
Seeing the Davis Method work for Faga inspired something bigger. His mother Lili’a and a Samoan friend are now seeking community funding to train as Davis Facilitators themselves — so they can bring this support to others in the Samoan language. That’s the kind of impact that goes well beyond one family.
If you’re looking for autism help for your child, a Davis Facilitator could be the right next step. Search our directory to find a qualified facilitator in your area.
Book a free Discovery call to talk through your family’s situation and find out if the Davis Method is the right fit.