Judy Vorfeld’s Office Support Services

Hi, my name is Dallon Arvidson and I am four years old. I live with my mom, dad and 2-year-old brother. Because my parents were concerned about my development, they had me tested and I was diagnosed with Autism and Global Developmental Delay in August 2007.

I have a love for life and am a very happy boy, but the world is a little scary for me at times. Because of my Autism I get overwhelmed when I am in new places that are busy with people and sounds. I can get really confused and scared when I can’t find my mom because I can’t filter out all of the other stuff going on around me to hear her voice.

I like to do things over and over and I obsess over certain things I like. It’s what my doctor calls repetitive behaviors. I love Buzz Lightyear and Lightning McQueen, I could watch their movies all day every day if my mom would let me. I got to meet Buzz when we went to Disneyland and you should have seen how amazed I was to see him in real life.

I have a really hard time transitioning away from something I have been doing to do anything else, like to eat dinner. Once I get upset, I don’t really hear or understand anything that is said to me, so I have a hard time calming down even if I am given exactly what I wanted.

I really like water but I don’t know it is dangerous, and I don’t always know when it is safe to run after someone I know (or don’t know), or something I want. I don’t know how to tell my mom where I am going. Unless someone is constantly watching, no one will know where I have gone. My dog would help me to know when it is safe, and show my mom where I am whenever I am out of sight.

I love to play outside, and I can get adventurous and end up in a real pickle if no one is looking. I love animals too! Cats, horses, fish, birds, and animals at the zoo! I would especially like to have a dog, but my mom says I have to wait until we can raise enough money to get a dog from 4 Paws. Like many other kids on this page, I am in need of one of their Autism Assistance Dogs. I would really appreciate it if you could help me with that. I will learn so much from helping to take care of my dog, and introducing him to people.

I would also really like to have a close friend. I don’t talk like kids my age, and other kids don’t understand why I don’t answer their questions. My dog would be my best friend and maybe help me make some new friends.

Thank you so very much! Dallon (and my family)

Note from Judy: 4 Paws for Ability is an amazing nonprofit organization located in Xenia, Ohio. It provides highly trained service dogs in many areas, but does require that approved families raise funds to train the dog. Please consider this child whose life will change significantly upon receiving an assistance dog. Read the testimonials. Reading them could change your life. It changed mine.

This entry was posted on Tuesday, May 6th, 2008 at 5:43 pm and is filed under Animals, Community Service, Disabilities. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. Both comments and pings are currently closed.