Ms Carter’s 10-year-old son Lukas is autistic, cannot go to the toilet by himself, has difficulty with fine motor skills, is severely hypermobile and has a sensory processing disorder. But, Lukas doesn’t “look” disabled.

Ms Carter has pleaded with the public to be more conscious of those with an “invisible” disability.

To say life is challenging would be an understatement, but a recent experience left her angry to the point of tears and pleading with the community for some understanding.

Ms Carter, Lukas and her daughter Charlize, 8, were in the women’s changerooms at a Bathurst gym getting ready for swimming lessons when another woman complained about Lukas being in the changeroom.

At 10, he was older than the signposted age limit of six years old for male children being in the women’s changerooms.

It was not the first time someone has complained about Lukas or glared at Ms Carter about his behaviour.

“People don’t understand invisible illnesses. If he was in a wheelchair she probably wouldn’t have said anything,” she said.

“I don’t blame the system, I blame the close-mindedness of the general public.

“You’re already in a state of anxiety yourself. You’re in the female bathroom and yes I know I shouldn’t have had him in there, but you’ve got no other option.”

Ms Carter said there are few facilities around Bathurst for parents of older children with disabilities.

“I often have to clean Lukas up by lying him on a dirty toilet floor because disabled toilets are hard to come by, so are family rooms,” she said.

“My son may not be as disabled as others, but he still has some consciousness that he’s getting changed on the toilet floor or the pool deck.”

Disability Advocacy NSW regional manager Sue Smidt said thankfully, Ms Carter’s experience was not a common one.

“But, it does happen, especially for persons living with hidden disabilities and their families,” she said.

“There is a lack of understanding of persons living with hidden disabilities within the general population as opposed to someone living with a visible disability.”

Ms Smidt said, while no-one should have to explain their children’s disabilities to other people, she added that an explanation can help to raise awareness in the wider community.

“By informing people they will become more understanding and, hopefully, will share their experience with others and therefore raise awareness within the community,” she said.

Ms Carter has asked for people to “put themselves in her shoes” and not make quick judgements. “It’s stressful enough just being a mum, let alone having a special needs child who needs a bit more understanding, not just from me, but the community,” she said.