For some parents of kids on the autism spectrum, signs of a disorder can present in early childhood. Actors Tom and Laura Hopper began to notice their son, Freddie, was struggling to meet certain developmental milestones by 18 months old. Freddie is five years old now, and the Hoppers recently went to social media to share their family's journey.
"We've known that Freddie is different for quite a while," Laura said in a video posted on Instagram and Facebook. "We want to raise awareness for people like Freddie and for parents."
In a recent interview with PEOPLE, Tom, who is currently starring in Season 2 of the Netflix original series The Umbrella Academy, opened up about his son. "You have to trust each other and the journey. The right things will happen eventually, but it doesn't happen overnight," Tom explained. "My son has autism, and he amazes me every day. His brain just works in a different way."
In another video post, Laura, who appeared in Black Sails on Starz, talked about the swell of support she and Tom have received as a result of disclosing Freddie's autism. "Firstly, we wanted to say 'thank you' for all those amazing messages," she explained. "I should never have worried about talking about Freddie because you're all wonderful."
Freddie is currently attending a school for special needs children. Though he is mostly non-verbal, he is learning to use picture cards and sign language to communicate. His mother also says Freddie likes stimming, a self-stimulatory repetitive behavior common to autistic people, which regulates sensory processing. Freddie stims by tapping objects and spinning. Some autistic kids, like Freddie, are 'sensory seekers.' According to Laura, Freddie loves to wrestle, cuddle, watch lights, and play in water.
In addition to Tom's highly athletic role in The Umbrella Academy, the British actor has also provided equally demanding performances in Game of Thrones and Black Sails. As a fitness and nutrition enthusiast, Tom decided to explore how changes in his son's diet might improve his well-being.
"When we started doing our research into autism, one thing that kept coming up a lot was how you can improve a child's behavior with autism through diet. This is really interesting because it was something I was already passionate about," Tom explained.
He and Laura first attempted to eliminate gluten from Freddie's diet. The problem, however, was the high sugar content of the gluten-free products they used. Freddie's behavior became more agitated and aggressive, which they had never experienced before.
"We thought maybe it's the sugar," Tom discussed on Instagram. So, we decided at that moment to try and take him off as much refined sugar as possible. When we did that, low and behold, he became so much calmer. He became kind of like the Freddie he was before we started putting him on all this gluten-free food… (his) aggression went away overnight."
For now, the Hopper family-- including Freddie's little sister, Truly-- is in a routine at home that seems to work for Freddie. "Tom and I feel very fortunate that, at the moment, he's absolutely bossing lockdown," Laura explains. "He loves it. He loves being at home. He loves having us all here because obviously, Tom spends a lot of time away at work. And, so, for the four of us to be in the house together is actually pretty phenomenal."
As a busy actor with multiple projects in the works, Tom has also expressed how life with Freddie offers a way to stay present and appreciate a sense of wonder and joy that makes him grateful to be Freddie's dad.
"Freddie Hops, in my opinion, encompasses what life should be about. He doesn't care about materialistic things… he doesn't moan about having "this toy" or "that toy" for Christmas or his birthday," Tom writes. "What I adore about Freddie, more than anything, is the things he gets the most enjoyment out of in life. Being outside, running, laughing for the sake of laughing, watching trees blowing in the wind like it's the most naturally beautiful thing he's ever seen, standing in the rain wearing... well, very little... and just letting it cover him till he's soaking wet, just because he loves the feeling of it on his skin. Freddie appreciates all the free awesomeness in life that I know I certainly take for granted."
For families struggling with questions about a child's behavior, or concerns about reaching developmental milestones, seek advice from a pediatrician or behavioral specialist who can help to identify a diagnosis.