Despite dealing with ravaging flood waters that have inundated the Central Queensland Gemfields in the past few days, Rubyvale's Jan Ward could not hide her excitement when she spoke about her recent news that she will be studying at University next year...

As Jan remembered where she had come from in the past few decades, she explained how the doors became open to this great opportunity.

Jan Ward is looking forward to studying a Bachelor of Arts degree next year after completing STEPS.It has been a long time coming for the 56-year-old grandmother who came to Central Queensland from Darwin 20 years ago as a single mum of two young boys.

Jan, who worked a number of different jobs to support her young family and even attempted studying a couple of times with little success said ‘at the time, life, motherhood and poverty' just seemed to prevent her from hitting the books.

Her youngest son who had displayed some unusual and distressing traits as a primary schooler was eventually diagnosed with Aspergers Syndrome at the age of 13.

"Up until this diagnosis my angst came from so many unanswered questions such as why was my son able to read and write before the age of five, but unable to tie shoelaces or even dress himself properly at age seven.

"He had factual answers to the most obscure questions, yet at school he was unable to apply himself to tasks other than exams where he generally excelled. He absorbed information like a sponge, but never wrote in his school exercise books.

"In spite all of this, he possessed a sunny disposition and a unique view of the world."

Jan said the most heart-wrenching aspect of her son's childhood was his social development. He found it very difficult to initiate contact with his peers and consequently entertained himself with solitary activities such as reading or playing on the computer.

"Living with a child with Aspergers was at times thrilling and at other times exhausting. I consider myself fortunate that my son wasn't an angry young man and, if he felt frustration, he concealed it well. Most of the frustration in the household was felt by me.

"Routine events that most of us take for granted like talking on the telephone or learning to drive a car presented enormous challenges for him, and although he still finds telephone conversations awkward, he can now drive a car."

Jan said the good news is that as he grew older, he became less inhibited and more socially aware. He is now married with children of his own and is studying accounting and working full-time in Victoria.

In these early years, Jan worked in a variety of positions, most of them people-focused and generally in the health and welfare sector. She also later coordinated a multi-purpose centre, became a tour guide in an underground sapphire mine and taught English in China.

The latter prompted her to write and self-publish a book about the experience.

The book titled A Glimpse of the Dragon - Beyond the Great Wall - there are still a few copies available - was to inspire a love of writing and desire to learn more.

However it is Jan's experiences as a mother that have compelled her to write another book. This time she will write a memoir focusing on life with a child with Aspergers - one that has a very positive ending.

This rekindled passion for writing led Jan earlier this year to formalise her education to set up her career as a writer.

"I began Googling university courses. CQUni's Emerald campus didn't offer a writing course, however it did offer STEPS (Skills for Tertiary Preparatory Studies) program where I could attend classes, which was important to me in these early stages of University life."

STEPS is a program designed for Australian or New Zealand citizens (or those who hold permanent residence or humanitarian visas) who wish to attend university but who may not have the necessary qualifications or skills to do so.

It provides adult learners with the necessary skills and confidence necessary to embark on tertiary study.

STEPS is free and offered over a 13-week accelerated or 26-week extended/flex/external program.

"The STEPS program was by far the best decision I could have made. It was much more challenging than I had ever anticipated, but designed in such a way that students were well equipped to meet each new challenge along the way.

"It wasn't only about learning; it was about self-discovery.

"The support provided by the teachers was outstanding and unwavering, and at the end of the program I enrolled in a Bachelor of Arts."

Jan will begin her degree in 2011 as a distance education student.

She said she was now looking forward to embarking on a journey that will increase her knowledge, help her hone existing skills and open doors to new adventures.

"The journey will no doubt present some tough challenges, but I feel that I now have a strong foundation."

For those interested in learning more about STEPS, CQUniversity Emerald is staging an information and testing session for the program on Wednesday December 8 from 6pm.

For more information about the program or the information session contact Jo Rosenblatt on 4982 0421.