That observation from Temple Grandin may surprise some, but perhaps not as much as the news she is a professor and author who was diagnosed with autism in 1950.

Here on the Border, children, teenagers, adults and their families are taking their own journeys with autism, which impacts about one in 100 people.

World Autism Awareness Day on Saturday aims to increase knowledge about the developmental condition that affects how individuals relate to their environment and interact with others.

But those who know it best say along with awareness, must come acceptance.

We must accept difference, accept variety and, most of all, accept it’s not just people with autism who need to change.

No two people with the condition are the same, a fact the Marquis family completely understands.

Siblings Samuel, 15, Taylor, 14, Cody, 12, and Scott, 10, all have autism and, as their mother Johanne says, “what works for one doesn't necessarily work for another”.

Now living in Albury, after many years in Wodonga, the family is crowdfunding for an assistance puppy that will help Cody with his anxiety.

Ms Marquis, the children's primary carer assisted by their father Kenneth, said sticking to routine formed the key to the Marquis' day-to-day life.

"If we get that right in the morning, we should be off to a pretty good day," she said.

Early intervention and constant effort have made a difference for the siblings but “the autism doesn't go away, it just changes”.

“They've grown and come out into the world a bit more but with that there's still other types of stimming (repetitive body movements) and other issues that can come along,” Ms Marquis said.

In the long-term, she wants her children to find structured employment that taps into their interests, such as Taylor's affinity with horses or Cody's love of mowing.

“It's just a matter of getting the right supports around the kids to be able to do that,” she said.

Most autism is diagnosed in childhood, but Wodonga's Joel Wilson was 14 when he received this news.

"I was misdiagnosed with ADHD and put on a lot of medication that wasn't good for me and wasn't healthy," he said.

"For me it was a self-discovery, and learning to take control of my life and myself."

Now 29, Mr Wilson moved to the Border from Perth in January as the final stage towards independent living.

"I reached that point where I was like, 'If I don't move out on my own now, it will probably never really happen’,” he said. 

Presently setting up a website design business and exploring volunteer work, Mr Wilson said there needed to be greater understanding around employment for people with autism and the skills they had to offer.

“We need to look past instantly saying that these people don't have a chance at life and seeing what we can do more to help them bring out their potential,” he said.

“I think the most important thing is the wider community needs to have conversations with autistics and support them to live, I don't like the word normal, as fulfilling lives as possible.”

Various Border Facebook autism support groups offer parents the chance to share stories, ask advice, celebrate small victories and vent if necessary.

Wodonga father Jason Voll said dark looks from strangers occurred often, while coping with a child’s public meltdown remained difficult.

“It's sort of like tantrums times 10, but they have no control over it,” he said.

“They're not wanting to gain anything, they're not looking for attention, it's just a sensory overload, basically, and that's the way they release.”

He and partner Susi Rossman started their son Jasper, 6, at Belvoir Special School this year. 

His full diagnosis occurred more than a year ago after the necessary consultations with a psychologist, speech therapist, occupational therapist and a paediatrician.

“The faster you get it done, the sooner you get help but it costs a lot of money to try and there's a waiting list for everything,” Mr Voll said.

Community acceptance was a huge issue, especially as people with autism grew older.

“The rate of employment for people with autism is dismal and part of it's because of the social side of things, being able to interact with other people, even though they might have the skills," Mr Voll said.

“Who they are makes them seem anti-social but it's more that they don't know how to deal in those social situations, so they withdraw themselves.

“To me it's about inclusion and understanding these people are different but they have so much to offer.”

In the past 10 years, Aspect Riverina has grown from small satellite classes to a dedicated Albury school for children with autism that also provides outreach support to students in other schools.

Principal Jo Gillespie said the school's links with health professionals, therapy services and community-based activities created “a one-stop shop” for children and their families.

“We look at giving our young people the toolkit to assist them to manage their autism in a mainstream setting,” she said.

Olivia and Ben Carr decided to leave jobs, family and friends in Bendigo to move to the Border after their son Josh, now 8, was diagnosed with autism as a four-year-old.

“I pretty much just typed in 'best autism schools in Australia' in Google and Aspect came up,” Mrs Carr said.

The family has now settled in East Albury and Josh and younger sister Ezra, 5, are both enjoying their schools.

“It's a matter of trial and effect, you see what works and what doesn't work for your child,” Mrs Carr said. 

“As they get older, it's just adjusting and getting more knowledge for yourself, it's a very steep learning curve.”

And there are many positives.

“He is a very loving boy, he's really interested in life and his family,” his mother said.

“He loves his science and thinking up inventions so there's never a dull moment.”

Mudgegonga's Judy Brewer, the parent of a young adult with autism, is the chairman of the Co-operative Research Centre for Living with Autism (Autism CRC), which aims to improve diagnosis, educational outcomes and the participation of adults on the spectrum in society.

“Our community, our society, our education system, our health system is not geared towards people that think differently and act differently,” she said.

“One of the things that is really important is that we listen to the voice of autistic adults. 

“They are the greatest resource we have in understanding the autism spectrum, they live it every day.”

Unlike many research organisations, Autism CRC focuses not on a cause or cure but rather the best way of providing a community where autistic people can thrive.

"Not only to deal with (autism), in a sense to celebrate it," Ms Brewer said.

Her son Harrison, now 22, was achieving things she had been told originally he never would – finishing school, working and moving to independent living.

"We've come at autism from a very negative perspective for many years because it is overwhelming, in terms of our lack of understanding and acceptance," she said.

"It's about everyone changing, not just expecting autistic people to do all the hard yards of change.

"In the end what they need is acceptance, understanding and intervention to help them live the life that they can live, which is a very happy, very productive life, with good relationships, with a job, with a career, with interests.

"All the things that all of us want for our kids."