A New Zealander who plummeted almost 5m down a hidden crevasse while snowboarding off-piste and alone has revealed how his iPhone – with just 3 per cent battery power – saved his life. Tim Blakey, 41, was snowboarding in the Swiss…

A young motorcyclist who drove at more than 150kmh through suburban Dunedin acted like a “lunatic”, a judge says.When Kenneth Michael Cowie (20) saw the flashing lights of a police car on January 27 this year, he panicked.Police…

It was during Victoria's first lockdown in mid-2020 that Jade Mekon was forced to confront issues she had been dealing with her whole life.

The 31-year-old from Bendigo had always had what she calls "meltdowns", where her struggles to cope with daily life would come to a head.

But when the pandemic hit, Ms Mekon said they started happening more frequently.

"I've always needed routine and structure to be able to function on a daily basis and when that was taken away during lockdown I experienced more frequent and intense meltdowns than I had ever before," Ms Mekon said.

READ MORE: Aussie scientists create screening test to diagnose autism in babies

"I knew that working from home was obviously having a negative effect on my mental health, but I had no idea what was going on."

It wasn't until a friend suggested that her experiences sounded a lot like autism that the lightbulb moment happened.

"I hadn't really considered it before but I went online and did some research about how autism presents itself in women," she said.

Ms Mekon could relate to many of the signs she was reading about.

Growing up, Ms Mekon said she was "always really, really bad with change" and needed everything to be organised properly.

"If anything changed I would just freak out."

Ms Mekon said she also used a lot of repetitive, self-soothing behaviours as a child to cope in the classroom – known as stimming. 

"One of the big ones was I used to always have Blu Tak in my hands and I was used to just play with that to help me concentrate."

There were also sensory issues with noises, lights and food, she added.

"I have massive sensory issues with food and I have always been like that. I struggle to eat new foods. Chicken nuggets and schnitty always get me through.

"The signs were always there, it was just I don't think anyone kind of knew how to put a name to it."

Despite all these behaviours pointing to autism, Ms Mekon said her GP wasn't convinced and was initially reluctant to refer her to a psychologist for assessment.

"He didn't want to write the referral, and I said to him it makes no difference to you whether you write it but it could make a massive difference to my mental health," she said.

"I basically sat there and refused to leave his office until he gave me a referral."

After a series of assessments, her psychologist diagnosed Ms Mekon with mid-level autism.

"She basically took one look at me and was like, how have you not been diagnosed already?" Ms Mekon said.

It was a relief to finally have the diagnosis, Ms Mekon said.

"Even though I'd expected it, I was like, holy s**t, there's an actual explanation for why I am the way that I am," she said.

But it soon came with an underlying resentment too.

"It did kind of mess with my head a little bit," she said. 

"I was a little bit angry that no one noticed it earlier because if I had gotten the support that I get now, when I was younger, it probably would have helped me a lot."

Ms Mekon said while her diagnosis made sense to her family and those closest to her, many expressed surprise when she broke the news.

"A lot of people that I told, were like, 'Oh, no, you're fine, you're absolutely fine'. 

"But they don't see what happens at home and the struggles that I have with just daily stuff." 

Ms Mekon said she had become an expert at masking over the years, adapting her behaviours to suit society's expectations.

"Masking is when autistic people basically pretend that everything's okay. I got very good at masking."

Elizabeth Sarian, from Autism Awareness Australia, said it was now well known that females were better at masking the signs of autism than males.

"Girls are much better at adapting socially and learning how to adjust their behaviours," Ms Sarian said.

"They call it masking but it's a means of protecting themselves and trying to fit in.

"It is absolutely emotionally exhausting for them, and hence why we find that in their teenage years, or in their early adult years, it's a lot more obvious that it really is autism."

Another reason both girls and women tend to be diagnosed later was because the diagnostic criteria for autism was developed around a male profile. 

It was not uncommon for women with autism to be misdiagnosed with another mental health condition, such as bipolar or anxiety, first, Ms Sarian said.

A common trigger for both women and men to seek out an autism diagnosis later in life was becoming a parent themselves, she added.

"At the moment we are seeing parents getting diagnosed after their children get diagnosed," she said. 

"They are recognising the signs they're seeing in their children are actually really common in themselves."

Ms Mekon, who is sharing her story as part of World Autism Awareness day today, said getting a diagnosis had helped her tremendously and she wanted to encourage anyone who might suspect they are autistic to seek out an assessment. 

"If you think that you could be autistic then go and talk to your GP," she said.

"If they're not receptive to it, but you know deep down that you fit every criteria, then find a new doctor.

"Just advocate for yourself would be probably my main advice, especially for women, because women do find it so much harder to get diagnosed." 

April 2 is World Autism Awareness Day. For more information on navigating through an autism diagnosis, visit Autism: What Next?

Contact reporter Emily McPherson at em********@******om.au

The man found dead in Fiordland this week was carrying safety equipment — for what was meant to be a one-day hike — and was an experienced tramper who worked for Queenstown company Ultimate Hikes.He was reported missing shortly…

A vegetation fire in south-east Auckland has grown to 16 hectares, but is contained.Fire crews were called to the fire on Papakura-Clevedon Road in Ardmore around 4pm.The fire is now contained to the gully where it originated….

Police are investigating a shooting incident in which six people were injured in Sandringham last month.It’s dubbed “Operation Grizzly” and police are appealing for the public’s assistance in locating David Tuitupou.A warrant…

A nurse charged with sexually assaulting a woman recovering from heart surgery has been released on bail for a second time.

Ali Moh'd, 42, was granted bail at Liverpool Court this afternoon.

He was given strict bail conditions and is not allowed to work or train as a nurse or interact with any other nurses.

READ MORE: Asian countries once COVID-19 success stories seeing outbreaks

Mr Moh'd must also report to Macquarie Fields Police Station three times a week.

In September, police began to investigate reports a 25-year-old female patient had been sexually assaulted while recovering from heart surgery at a Bella Vista hospital.

Mr Moh'd was arrested at Castle Hill Police Station on March 11.

He was charged with sexual intercourse without consent and remains before the courts.

READ MORE: Chinese military set to be based on Australia's doorstep

Investigators have since received further reports a 67-year-old woman was allegedly sexually touched while awaiting heart surgery at a Kingswood hospital in March.

Additionally, a 21-year-old female nursing student was allegedly sexually touched while working at the same hospital in December 2018.

Following further investigations, detectives arrested Mr Moh'd at Prestons today and charged him with multiple sexual offences.

The investigation is continuing.

A preliminary hearing has been set to determine if a “unique” inquiry into a judge’s alleged misconduct can go ahead.A statement from the Ministry of Justice this afternoon confirmed a hearing on April 5 would determine if a Judicial…

Communities across northern New South Wales are beginning their second flood clean-up in a month as water levels begin to recede.

More residents are now able to return home to low-lying properties in East Bellingen, Bulahdelah and in North Bellingen after the State Emergency Service issued an all-clear.

A major flood warning remains for the Richmond River.

READ MORE: Five killed in Victoria helicopter crash

https://twitter.com/BOM_NSW/status/1509756145820479492

'A lot of work'

Some residents in Lismore are so traumatised by the recent floods, they don't think they'll be able to live in the town again.

Others are bracing for a second clean-up and beginning to grasp the extent of the damage.

"We're getting really good at it," Oscar Bakos told 9News when asked how he felt about the second recovery effort.

For a lot of Lismore residents, they will have to start over for a second time.

"We have to start fresh, got to get everything new again. As long as we're here, we've got each other, that's the main thing really," Theodora, a Lismore resident, said.

"We have to redo the place and keep going," another resident said.

"A lot of work, a lot of hours."

Others are now counting the cost of repairing and refurbishing their homes.

"We're probably down about $400,000 or $500,000 already," one resident told 9News.

The second wave of flooding in Lismore saw water levels peak at 11.40 metres on 5pm on Wednesday.

Residents in low-lying areas of Mullumbimby, North Macksville, Kings Point, Nambucca Heads, Condong, Tumbulgum and Kyogle were permitted to return home on Thursday afternoon the NSW SES announced.

Shortly after the order was lifted, police announced they believed they had found the body of aged care nurse Anita Brakel, 55, in North Lismore days after she went missing in floodwaters.

It is the third flood related fatality in this week's wet weather, after two men died in Queensland on Tuesday.

Weather system moves south

A moderate flood warning is current for the Wilsons River at Lismore.

BoM said the low pressure system that wreaked havoc in state's north is moving south.

"There's the chance of up to 150mm of rain for parts NSW over the next four days, as the focus shifts to the South Coast," the Bureau said.

Meanwhile, damaging winds have hit Sydney, bringing down trees and even tearing off a roof.

A Storm Force Wind Warning and gale warning has been issued for most of the NSW east coast.

Strong winds will also be felt across Byron, which was hit by extensive flash flooding earlier this week.

Major roads damaged by landslips

Residents in flood-affected communities are being urged to be careful on roads as many have been damaged by heavy rains and floodwaters.

"Many major roads have been damaged by the heavy rainfall and subsequent landslips overnight," Resilience NSW said.

"Please reconsider travel to flood-affected areas at this time and if you must travel, take care and follow the instructions of road crews."

READ MORE: Worrying sign Russia using talks of de-escalation as a cover

Landslides have also begun to occur on the Gold Coast and in Byron Bay.

It comes after more than 300mm of rain was recorded on the Gold Coast earlier this week.

By Katie Todd and Marika Khabazi of RNZ Cost of living pressures are pushing some long-term Waiheke residents back to the mainland, while others desperate to leave are trapped in paradise – unable to afford food, let alone the…