My name is AJ, I live with my Mom & baby sister she's a toddler. I am 11 years old I look like every other regular kid but I have special needs, I have Asperger's syndrome. Aspergers for me means I have meltdowns I sometimes hurt myself really bad and have no control, sometimes I run away really fast because I get scared and don't know what people mean or I hear things a lot louder than most people; I run so fast even my Mom cant catch me. I feel sad a lot of the time because it's hard to make friends because I'm unique. The principle of my special school and my Mom say an autism assistance dog could really help me to be happy and even help me to stay in bed because I don't sleep a lot. They cost a lot of money and we are fundraising, any help anyone can give would be great. Thanks. AJ :)
AJ has a diagnosis of Asperger's, ADHD, O.d.d, Severe emotional & behavioural difficulties and Sensory processing disorder, He has attended weekly appointments(sometimes 3 a week for months on end) since 2009. At a recent therapy session I was told that I should prepare myself for my son having to live in full time residential care within the next few years, heart broken doesn't even begin to describe how I felt.. I seem to have had it in my head that by attending all the different therapy sessions'interventions that his needs would become more manageable & the reality check left me devastated. AJ attends a special school and his principle advised that I look into getting an autism assistance dog for AJ saying that he would benefit greatly. The main benefits of the assistance dog for AJ would be to stop him from bolting, he can bolt for a few different reasons be it misreading a social cue becoming scared or embarrassed, a sensory trigger (he doesn't cope well with crowds, lights, certain noises...) for fear of having a meltdown so he runs instead... during my recent pregnancy I split my pelvis trying to catch him, AJ will also run in front of traffic etc during these times. With an assistance dog AJ would have a lead around his waist so if he attempted to bolt the dog would cross it's paws and anchor down meaning that AJ can't run and I can meet the needs for whatever has triggered my son and help him to come back from it instead of putting himself in danger, a dog would also alert me if AJ is self harming. would help him to stay in bed, would bring him back from meltdowns etc..
AJ loves animals and is instantly calm around them. As he has gotten older he has become increasingly sad expressing that he is lonely and has started to self harm; not only would a service dog alert me if AJ was hurting himself but it would be great company for him. I am the sole carer for my son with very limited support and I have had to give up work to look after him full-time meaning that I cannot afford the financial requirements to get a service dog for him.
Having an assistance dog within our home would benefit all of us and most importantly it would mean that there is a greater chance that as my son gets older he can still live with me.
Thank you for taking the time to read our page, all help is greatly appreciated x