A service dog for Ander
Donation protected
This is Ander. Ander is 6 years old and such a bright, silly, and loving kid. In the spring of 2018, Ander was diagnosed with autism, ADHD, and anxiety. Growing up, Ander has gradually struggled more and more. His diagnosis and getting help has been an uphill battle.
At 2, we noticed signs of autism but doctors insisted he was just too young to know. At 3, he was verbal so they said it was just a behavior problem. At almost 4, Ander started preschool. He would sit under tables and not socialize well with other kids. He would be dragged out from under the tables which would trigger what we call episodes. We then pulled him from school after they said they couldn't handle him disrupting class and being "bad".
An episode for Ander can last anywhere for 15-60 minutes. They include yelling, crying, screaming, throwing, banging, hyperventilating, self-harm, and running. During them, he is in fight or flight mode. He doesn't remember much from them, and the look in his eyes during and right after is devastating to any mother. I usually have to sit behind him and hold him until he can feel safe enough to relax. These are not temper tantrums. Even though Ander is verbal, he struggles to get his words out, especially when upset or something changes on him.
We then started playing the endless waiting game. We waited 4 months to see a pediatrician who specialized in behavior. She considered him "grayscale" because of him being able to speak and said that we needed more expensive testing and therapy.
We found Ander a therapist that he went to once a week. Then we also added in occupational therapy after another 2 month wait. This helped him with his proprioception and energy exertion, however, Ander still struggled.
He got on the waiting list for The Children's Center. It was a 6 month wait, but definitely worth it. While waiting, Ander started Pre-K at almost 5 years old. His teacher was open and supportive. Once he got into the children's Center, he was diagnosed with anxiety and put on the waitlist for their therapeutic preschool and for testing. Gradually things changed at Pre-K. He would have episodes and flip over every chair in the classroom, he would refuse to go, and fight on everything. He got a new teacher and the support was lost. We then pulled him from Pre-K.
Luckily, this is when Ander got into the therapeutic preschool. Things were worse for a little bit as he adjusted, but eventually he loved it and progressed well.
Next came his testing after 5 months. His IQ was incredible. This boy is so smart, but he did struggle in all other areas. This is when he was finally diagnosed. Nothing prepares you to hear it. I knew it all along, but being in a room with 3 other therapists and hearing those words, my heart sank. Being a mom and hearing that your son will continue to struggle, it's hard. Being a mom who is also on the spectrum and went undiagnosed for 19 years, then hearing this, even harder.
Ander completed preschool and then started Kindergarten at an elementary school with an IEP and some incredible teachers. He struggles but is doing well at school overall. The diagnosis has given us so much more to work with and, even though it sucks, it was also a blessing to be able to get it finally after years of knowing and not being able to help my baby.
Ander is getting ready to complete kindergarten. He has aged out of the Children's Center. He has been showing more signs of his diagnosis now, his sensory issues are increasing, and more episodes are occurring at home. We got on yet another waitlist last year for ABA therapy. After 7 months, he just started this week. This therapy, with insurance, is $150-$200 a week. We are hoping this therapy will help him learn some life skills and get us through until we can get him a service dog.
An autism service dog would help Ander socialize, lessen his episodes, be a comfort to his anxiety, teach him empathy, stop self-harm and running, and be a constant in his life. The dog would also allow him to sleep at night and protect him when he sleep walks. Ander has maybe only slept through the night 7 times his whole life and has been waking with night terrors and sleep walking. The dog would also be allowed to be there for him when he needs to sit still, like car rides, plane rides, doctor’s visit, church and so much more.
I want Ander to have the best life he can. I want him to grow and be able to live as amazing of a life as anyone else. Ander's therapy is expensive and a service dog is very expensive because of training and getting the right dog. The money would be used for cost of dog and supplies, the training needed, and help covering his ABA therapy costs. We are asking for help to give this boy everything he deserves and a chance to be anything he wants to be. Thank you to anyone that takes the time to read this, share this, or donate.
At 2, we noticed signs of autism but doctors insisted he was just too young to know. At 3, he was verbal so they said it was just a behavior problem. At almost 4, Ander started preschool. He would sit under tables and not socialize well with other kids. He would be dragged out from under the tables which would trigger what we call episodes. We then pulled him from school after they said they couldn't handle him disrupting class and being "bad".
An episode for Ander can last anywhere for 15-60 minutes. They include yelling, crying, screaming, throwing, banging, hyperventilating, self-harm, and running. During them, he is in fight or flight mode. He doesn't remember much from them, and the look in his eyes during and right after is devastating to any mother. I usually have to sit behind him and hold him until he can feel safe enough to relax. These are not temper tantrums. Even though Ander is verbal, he struggles to get his words out, especially when upset or something changes on him.
We then started playing the endless waiting game. We waited 4 months to see a pediatrician who specialized in behavior. She considered him "grayscale" because of him being able to speak and said that we needed more expensive testing and therapy.
We found Ander a therapist that he went to once a week. Then we also added in occupational therapy after another 2 month wait. This helped him with his proprioception and energy exertion, however, Ander still struggled.
He got on the waiting list for The Children's Center. It was a 6 month wait, but definitely worth it. While waiting, Ander started Pre-K at almost 5 years old. His teacher was open and supportive. Once he got into the children's Center, he was diagnosed with anxiety and put on the waitlist for their therapeutic preschool and for testing. Gradually things changed at Pre-K. He would have episodes and flip over every chair in the classroom, he would refuse to go, and fight on everything. He got a new teacher and the support was lost. We then pulled him from Pre-K.
Luckily, this is when Ander got into the therapeutic preschool. Things were worse for a little bit as he adjusted, but eventually he loved it and progressed well.
Next came his testing after 5 months. His IQ was incredible. This boy is so smart, but he did struggle in all other areas. This is when he was finally diagnosed. Nothing prepares you to hear it. I knew it all along, but being in a room with 3 other therapists and hearing those words, my heart sank. Being a mom and hearing that your son will continue to struggle, it's hard. Being a mom who is also on the spectrum and went undiagnosed for 19 years, then hearing this, even harder.
Ander completed preschool and then started Kindergarten at an elementary school with an IEP and some incredible teachers. He struggles but is doing well at school overall. The diagnosis has given us so much more to work with and, even though it sucks, it was also a blessing to be able to get it finally after years of knowing and not being able to help my baby.
Ander is getting ready to complete kindergarten. He has aged out of the Children's Center. He has been showing more signs of his diagnosis now, his sensory issues are increasing, and more episodes are occurring at home. We got on yet another waitlist last year for ABA therapy. After 7 months, he just started this week. This therapy, with insurance, is $150-$200 a week. We are hoping this therapy will help him learn some life skills and get us through until we can get him a service dog.
An autism service dog would help Ander socialize, lessen his episodes, be a comfort to his anxiety, teach him empathy, stop self-harm and running, and be a constant in his life. The dog would also allow him to sleep at night and protect him when he sleep walks. Ander has maybe only slept through the night 7 times his whole life and has been waking with night terrors and sleep walking. The dog would also be allowed to be there for him when he needs to sit still, like car rides, plane rides, doctor’s visit, church and so much more.
I want Ander to have the best life he can. I want him to grow and be able to live as amazing of a life as anyone else. Ander's therapy is expensive and a service dog is very expensive because of training and getting the right dog. The money would be used for cost of dog and supplies, the training needed, and help covering his ABA therapy costs. We are asking for help to give this boy everything he deserves and a chance to be anything he wants to be. Thank you to anyone that takes the time to read this, share this, or donate.
Organizer
DaleAnne Haws
Organizer
Salt Lake City, UT