When Motherhood Changes Everything: Porscia’s Story of Autism, Career Break & Starting Again

When Porscia Lam received the news that her son Harry was autistic, her world shifted. She put her legal career on pause to become his full-time therapist, diving headfirst into the world of autism therapy and the challenges of raising a neurodivergent child, all during Melbourne’s long covid lockdowns.

Returning to work after a career break is challenging for any parent, but what happens when that break is dedicated to being a full-time carer for a child with autism? In this deeply personal and insightful episode, Carina speaks with Porscia Lam, former corporate lawyer, mother of two, and author of The Unlocking: An Autism Story, to discuss her journey of parenting an autistic child, navigating therapy for autism, and re-entering the workforce after a three-year career break.

In this episode, we chat about:

• Early signs of autism and the diagnosis journey (during Melbourne's record lockdown)
• The impact of early intervention therapy 
• The emotional and financial realities of taking a career break as a full-time carer
• Returning to work after a long career gap—what worked, what didn’t
• The stigma around career breaks and how to position yourself when re-entering the workforce
• How to support parents of neurodivergent children

Whether you’re a working mum, a parent of a neurodivergent child, or someone navigating a career break, Porscia’s journey is one of resilience, determination, and advocacy. Her insights provide not only hope, but practical strategies for navigating work and family life.

 

Links & Resources

Connect with Porscia 

Buy Porscia’s book, The Unlocking: An Autism Story
Connect with Porscia: porscialam.com or @porscialam

 

Connect with Carina and Working Mumma 

Follow on @workingmummacommunity or LinkedIn 

Get your free 'How to share the mental load' checklist workingmumma.com.au/mental-load/

Connect with Carina on LinkedIn