Four years down the track he was inspired to give it a go to help a cause that is very close to home. Justin is riding his bicycle more than 11,000kms from Tamworth to Canberra to raise money and awareness for autism and Asperger’s syndrome.

He passed through Wellington last Thursday, stopping off at Cameron Park to meet up with locals affected by the disorder.

When he reaches Canberra Justin plans to hand a letter to the Minister for Health and Ageing Nicola Roxon, outlining the difficulties people with autistic children have in accessing services if they live in regional areas.

“I enjoy helping people and I know this is helping people,” Justin said.

“By doing this ride I’m reaching out to other people who have had similar experiences.”

The keen cyclist is also launching a new publication Turning Wheels for Autism, Navigation Book for Country NSW a guide to autism, support and making the most of abilities.

Justin was born with Asperger’s, a form of autism that can affect development, social interaction and behavioural patterns.

Justin’s condition is known as ‘high functioning Asperger’s,’ meaning his language and cognitive development milestones were reached as expected and he is gifted at maths and science.

The diagnosis categories for austism, particularly Asperger’s often difficult to diagnose, and less obvious cases can be overlooked.

“When Justin was diagnosed it was very hard to get a diagnosis of high functioning Asperger’s,” Justin’s dad Bob said.

“Through doing this ride we’re expressing that we would like to see more people helped with autism and Asperger’s.

“It’s not just about what services are available either, it’s about creating an awareness of the condition and what can be done about it.”

Diagnosis isn’t the only hurdle sufferers of autism and Asperger’s have to negotiate. A lack of services, support and assistance for sufferers and their families is another major issue.

Rhonda Hayes and her daughter Jane moved to Wellington from Brisbane in January with Jane’s children, two of whom suffer from autism.

“When we moved to Wellington we were looking for the same kind of support we had in Brisbane but it just didn’t exist,” Rhonda said.

“We decided we would have to make that support ourselves.”

Only six weeks ago Rhonda, Jane and Cherie White, who also has a child affected by autism, started up a brand new Wellington autism support group.

The group meets every Monday morning at McDonald’s from 10am.