Joe and Renae Ingles rocked by son's diagnosis

Australian NBA star Joe Ingles has revealed how he and his wife Renae were “rocked” by their son Jacob’s autism diagnosis.

In a piece published on Exclusive Insight, the husband and wife detailed how they came to realise something was “not quite right” as their twins, Ella and Jacob, grew up and started interacting with the world.

“We have found it enjoyable to watch them both grow, to watch them both develop their own little personalities alongside one another. We let them go at their own speeds,” the article reads.

“Whilst they were quickly navigating their way through their development, there was a feeling in our gut. Something wasn’t quite right.

“Girls develop faster than boys, we know. Although Jacob wasn’t where other kids his age were at, or supposed to be.

“He wasn’t communicating, and wasn’t showing natural signs of social interaction and development.

“We started to worry. We started to ask ourselves, our friends, family and our paediatricians some questions.”

After months of extensive therapy and testing, the couple’s suspicions were eventually confirmed – Jacob had been diagnosed with autism.

Though they were prepared for the news, Ingles said it nonetheless came as a shock to the system.

“Our concerns had been confirmed. Were we shocked? No. So why all of a sudden were we so overwhelmed by the diagnosis? We were numb,” he wrote.

“It took a couple of weeks for the tears to stop welling up in our eyes, and to get some decent sleep again.

“Jacob is still our Jacob, always has been, always will be.

“He is who he is, we wouldn’t change him, we all just have some challenges ahead of us.

“We would be lying if we said this hasn’t been hard.

“However, this is our reality and Jacob isn’t his diagnosis. He’s our Jacob and will always be our Jacob.

“Like any parent, we want to give both Jacob and Milla every opportunity to have a happy, healthy, and successful future.”

Looking ahead

The first to admit the last few moths have been tough, Ingles said he and Renae were thankful Jacob’s diagnosis had come at the age of two and a half.

The early knowledge means the family can make preparations well ahead of time.

“Early intervention. That’s what matters most, and were we excited that we had found out at two-and-a-half years old, and had plenty of time to get invention,” he said.

“We take the good with the bad days, and know that there will be challenges along the way.

“Like us, Milla is going to learn along the way. Milla knows what makes Jacob tick, she knows how to push his buttons and she knows what makes him laugh.”

Supportive community

The poignant reveal of Jacob’s diagnosis won plenty of support across the board, NBA novices and fans alike.