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.
Dale Wooley is just like any other eight-year-old boy. He loves to ride his bike, play video games and not a day goes by without him talking about his favorite thing - transformers. However, Dale’s life is different from yours and mine in so many ways; he has Autism. Day in and day out he struggles in our busy, stimulus-filled world, just trying to keep his behavior under control and behave “appropriately.”
Continue reading "Parents get stares, glares, and parenting advice." »
This is about our son Thaine Aaron Wood. Thaine is a handsome boy of nine who has Autism. Although he is nonverbal and has his "quirky" moments, he is one of the most loving kids you will ever meet.
Continue reading "Military family seeks autism service dog" »
Do you have a child who might benefit from owning a service dog, yet you are skeptical? Perhaps I can shed some light on this critical issue. My daughter, Brittany just turned eight, and we received her dog from 4 Paws for Ability just before she turned six.
While Britt doesn't have autism, she is pretty much mute, but with good receptive language. She also has terrible flashbacks and dissociates and is in a constant state of fear and/or panic. Some of her behaviors are similar to those on the autism spectrum. She suffers especially in three areas:
1. Complex PTSD (posttraumatic stress disorder).
2. RAD (reactive attachment disorder).
3. SPD (sensory processing disorder) from some severe pre-adoptive abuse and neglect.
Her dog, Max, is called a multipurpose service dog. His brother Jack is in service as an Autism Assistance Dog.
Continue reading "Does your special needs child need a service dog?" »
By Leeann Tanner/For The Ironton Tribune...
Friday, March 21, 2008 12:14 PM EDT
A child with autism is finding a new quality of life with his family’s newest addition, an Autism Assistance Service Dog.
Trevor Hall is 10 years old, but unlike many other children his age, his autism has led to a somewhat sheltered life. Visiting public places and just going to school used to cause complete meltdowns, Trevor’s mother, Angel, said.
“I found out about autism assistance service dogs in August of 2006 and started trying to raise the funds,” Hall said.
Nearly 17 months and $9,000 later, the Halls were able to purchase Keno.
The Great Pyrenees was originally donated to 4 Paws for Ability, a service dog training organization in Xenia. He began his training in the Warren County Prison’s Rover Rehab program, where he spent four months learning basic dog obedience and house breaking.
Kelly Martin, a geography teacher at North Forsyth High School, is a single mother of two boys and she has boundless energy and a heart for children with disabilities. She originally had the idea of a staff game to raise funds to buy an autism dog for her youngest son, Carter, who has "classic autism" or Kanner's syndrome.
"Through numerous donations," says the North Forsyth County News, "she's already raised the $13,000 plus necessary for her son's dog and training. But the game will go on, so others can be helped." And she's doing this with a broken wrist. Read about Kelly Martin's commitment to the ideals of 4 Paws for Ability by clicking here.
I announced the goals for Carter earlier in my blog. Click here to read the full story.
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.
Dylan Stewart. Do you wonder why Dylan needs a service dog? Well, we will tell you. Dylan is a beautiful seven-year-old boy who just happens to being living the upside of life with Down syndrome. His red hair says a lot about him - he is "on fire" 24-7. He's up early, usually between 5-6, and goes all day strong, until he does his "crash and burn," typically about 7 or 8. He is whirlwind of energy and enjoys life to the fullest! While we love his zest for life, it is exhausting.
Although Dylan wants to explore his world, he doesn't usually do so in the safest way. He has no sense or understanding of environmental dangers, such as drowning, traffic, or the ill intentions of a stranger. In addition, Dylan has difficulty communicating with the world around him. He actually has a very large vocabulary and can speak clearly when motivated, but unless the proper prompts and cues are given, it can be difficult for him to communicate his needs, wants, and desires.
Continue reading "Dylan Stewart approved for multipurpose service dog!" »
Hi! My name is Paul Wallace. I am a very active kid. I enjoy lots of things from basketball to Taekwondo from cooking to chorus! I like to tell jokes and tease my Mom.
Another thing about me is that I have special needs because I have Bipolar Disorder, and I also have Anxiety.
My bipolar disorder is very hard to control, and sometimes I feel very scared. My moods go in a roller coaster ride up and down. Sometimes I get really angry. I'm not even sure why I'm so angry, but I just want to hit and kick or throw things to get the angry feelings to leave me alone.
Sometimes when I am really overwhelmed, I run away. I feel like having a service dog would really help me in times like these. Plus if I get too far away, having a dog that could 'track' would help my mom find me right away!
Continue reading "Multipurpose Assistance Dog will help Paul Wallace overcome disabilities" »
My name is Andrew Smith, and I'm almost your typical nine-year-old-boy. My life revolves around football and baseball, and I tend to get stuck on one thing for months at a time. I love the Bengals and the Reds: I am, after all, from Cincinnati! I play on a football team and a baseball team, but it's hard for me when I miss the ball or the tackle, I just can't seem to deal with it. I've been mean to the coaches even, but they usually cut me a break. I get upset when my school work doesn't show 100% perfect and even more upset when my mom asks me to stop playing and do something, even come and eat!
I sleep in my mom's bedroom most of the time because I hate to be alone, even out of her sight. I don't think I've ever played alone in my room unless I'm on the play station playing Madden 08. After all, football is my life right now!
Why am I like this? My mom says I have an emotional handicap. I don't really know what Bipolar means, or ADHD, ODD, or Separation Anxiety Disorder are, but mom says that's what makes me unique. I struggle in school so much I'm in my 3rd school, a therapy school, because I can't hold it together in regular school. My moods go on a roller coaster ride, up and down so fast, and I can't control them.
Continue reading "Let's give Andrew Smith a Multi-Purpose Service Dog" »
This is Dakota Foster. He is 5 years old and in Kindergarten. He loves to color, draw, play with Legos, Power Rangers, Transformers, and to play with his sister, Cheyenne.
To look at him with his big blue eyes and contagious smile, you would think he is just like any other five- year-old-little boy. But his world is so much different from ours. He is living with Autism, ADHD, and SID (Sensory Integration Disorder). He processes the sights and sounds of the world around him differently.
Sometimes, his dealing with things can consist of repetitive behaviors such as spinning or repetitive speech. Other times he just cannot handle them at all and has what is known as a “meltdown.”
To someone who does not know what is going on, this “meltdown” can look like a child just being a "brat." But it is very different! It is something that he cannot control. It is his only way of dealing with that situation.
Continue reading "Dakota Foster seeks autism assistance dog" »
Jami Leeth, Trapper's mother, recently wrote about a wonderful Skagway community effort to help raise money for an autism/search and rescue service dog for Trapper.
"I am so sorry it has taken me so long to reply. Flu started it, specialist are finally here to see Trapper over the next few days, my husband is the only Family Nurse Practitioner in town until mid-March, we have had two medivacs in a week, our front door is frozen shut, our electricity was out for over a day, and Internet for about three, it has been crazy for about two weeks now. Let me tell you, when it rains it pours or maybe when it snows it turns into a blizzard.:) That's more appropriate.
"Blessing have been pouring down too though. The Skagway Volunteer Fire Departments Award ceremony & dinner. The Skagway Volunteer Fire Dept. presented a check for 4 Paws for Trapper's dog for $1,000. Plus they auctioned off 4 large prime rib dinners & brought in even more money for Trapper's dog. The total donation from The Skagway Volunteer Fire Dept. was $1365!"
Note from Judy: 4 Paws for Ability has approved Trapper for an assistance dog, but the family must raise the funds. All donations to 4 Paws are tax exempt, as it it a 501(c)(3).
Dogs play a key role in Alaska’s history, and now a Skagway child needs an autism assistance dog to keep him safe from everyday dangers. With tourists numbering over 10,000 a day during tourist season, it would be easy to lose a wandering child. Besides being the state sport, dog sled teams used to carry supplies and medicine to remote villages and keep the prospectors going. And to be part of an occasional miracle. Here’s Jami Leeth to explain:
My son, little Trapper Leeth, needs a miracle. The 1925 story of Balto and his amazing serum run to the village of Nome segues into our family’s need in 2008 for a highly trained autism service dog.
Trapper turned three in November 2007. He’d developed a small vocabulary, but at about 18 months he stopped all talk, eye contact decreased, and our whole world changed. In April 2007 Trapper was diagnosed with PDD, an Autism Spectrum Disorde that makes his life very difficult...
Continue reading "Frontier town child needs autism service dog to combat danger" »
I am Tyler, a four-year-old kid with autism, and my mom and I are raising money to get me an autism assistance dog from 4 Paws for Ability. Mom is a cop in the military, so moving is a way of life with us, and she thinks having a service dog will make me feel a lot more secure. Especially when she has to go on trips and when I'm around other children. I know the dog will make her feel better too, because he can help keep me safe!
My older brother, Caleb, went to stay with family while my military parents prepared for deployment to the Middle East. He drowned in a swimming pool, so I never got to meet him.
While making arrangements for the funeral, Mom discovered she was pregnant with me. She and dad went through some rough times and they divorced just before I was born. I know my daddy loves me but he lives halfway around the world and I only get to see him a couple of times a year...
Alexander LeBlanc Let us tell you about our son Alexander who is now 5 years old. Alex was born on our seventh wedding anniversary, Oct 14, 2002. He was a healthy and beautiful 9lb 14oz baby boy who was welcomed into our family by us and his older sister Jennifer.
For the first three years of his life, Alex was a perfectly normal, healthy child. That all changed abruptly on July 17, 2006. As we were standing in line at a store, Alex went completely limp and crashed to the floor. Unbeknownst to us, he was having his first seizure.
Continue reading "Parents seek service dog for son with epilepsy" »
Born January 20, 2004, Carter Martin was first diagnosed as delayed at two-and-a-half years in the areas of speech and social development during the summer of 2006. Then, just a few short months later, we were given another diagnosis of Sensory Integration Dysfunction. In February of 2007, Carter was diagnosed again with severe ADHD. Then in September of 2007, Carter had an MRI on his brain and we were told he has a Type I Chiari Malformation in the base of his brain.
And now, we are facing yet another diagnosis with Carter, Autism. On the surface, Carter appears to be a normal four-year-old little boy, but once you spend just a few moments with our son, you too will see just how special Carter is. He can make just about anyone laugh with his comical expressions and his hilarious antics-he's quite the entertainer and he knows it! He also is such a lover-he absolutely will steal your heart away when he asks if he can give you a hug and a kiss in his sweet, little boy voice. However...
Continue reading "Carter Martin's Family Seeks Autism Assistance Dog" »
Justin Spencer is a 6-year-old (almost 7!) boy with beautiful blue eyes who looks like any other 6-year-old boy with glasses and skinned knees; however, looks can be deceiving.
Justin has been diagnosed with autism, ADHD, and bipolar disorder -- quite a scary combination. He loves to play with his "castle guys" and dragons, go swimming, and jump on the trampoline, although he does them alone.
He is also a flight risk and has managed to escape from teachers, therapists, and his mom. He has absolutely no fear...
Continue reading "Child with Autism, ADHD, and Bipolar Disorder has No Fear" »
Hi, I'm Josh Woosley and I have Asperger's Disorder.
Mom tells me this means I think differently than other people. I guess she's right because I have a hard time in school. There are so many noises, and smells and people and lights. Blech.
My mom and dad are hoping to get me a new friend who can go to school with me. My new friend can help me by being with me all the time, I can lean against my new friend so I don't have to lean against my teacher as much, plus my new friend can help me make other friends (I have a hard time making friends, you see)...
Continue reading "Asperger's Syndrome Makes Life a Challenge" »
This is Hailey Meusch, at two years old, she looks like any average toddler. But, at 21 months old, Hailey was diagnosed with PDD-NOS, an Autism Spectrum Disorder that makes her life difficult.
Because of the disability, Hailey has no speech, she cannot point, she shows little eye contact, she shows no imaginitive play. Hailey does not understand simple commands such as sit down or come here. Hailey also has sensory issues that result in her throwing her head back against anything if she becomes overstimulated or angry; she has meltdowns daily where she screams, arches her back and is inconsolable for an hour or so. She bites herself as well as pinches her stomach if she gets bored.
Hailey has no fear of danger such as traffic or water. She will gladly go with a stranger. When we go to the store, we have to force her to stay in the cart or she will bolt away the first chance she gets...
Continue reading "Help Hailey Meusch Get an Autism Assistance Dog" »
Close your eyes and imagine your best friend. Now, imagine your best friend has four legs, a long tongue, and a wagging tail. My friend is like that. His name is Nitro and he helps me with a lot of things.
Nitro helps me calm down when I am angry. He knows two good ways to help me. the first is to nuzzle me with his nose. Nuzzle is when I put my hands in a circle and then he puts his nose in it. The second way is to tell him "lap". When Nitro does a "lap" he puts his head on my leg or lap and I calm down. nitro really helps me calm down.
Nitro cheers me up when I am sad. He helps me cheer up by playing with me. We usually play fetch. He also helps me cheer up by letting me hug him. I hug him when I am sad and crying. Nitro really knows how to cheer me up.
Nitro is my best friend. He loves me no matter what I do or say. He sleeps with me and this makes me happy. I also talk to him because he is a good listener. Talking to him makes me feel good. I love him!
I love Nitro because he helps me when I am angry. He cheers me up when I am sad. Nitro is my very best friend.
Sincerely, DJ Standley
Note: DJ wrote this speech for 4 H. He won 26 out of 27 points. The evaluator took off one point for not making eye contact! Considering that is a typical autism trait for DJ, we were very proud of him!! DJ's Mom
Note from Judy: Nitro is one of the many highly trained Autism Assistance Dogs provided by Xenia, Ohio nonprofit, 4 Paws for Ability.
Meet Alexander Lubrant. Alex is six years old and is Autistic, and has a second diagnosis of Mood Disorder. Alexander struggles with all the transitions within the many programs, doctor appointments, and with his behavior out in public.
Sometimes we have easy days, but many times he's curious about what it might be like to vault a railing at the mall, or step in front of a moving car so he can knock on its hood. I have the gray hair to show for this.
We are seeking through this awesome opportunity, a trained Autism Service Dog from the nonprofit organization 4 Paws for Ability.
Continue reading "Lubrant Family Seeks Autism Service Dog for Alex" »
Note from Erik's family: This is Erik. He is seven years old. Erik suffered a major brain bleed at birth. When Erik was 2 ½ he had a bad weekend and we noticed he had stopped talking and started losing his balance. Last year Erik was diagnosed Pervasive Developmental Disorder, part of Autism.
Last summer Erik wandered off while we were playing in the yard with some friends. We searched desperately for him...
Continue reading "Let's get an Autism Assistance Dog for Erik!" »
Braeden Allen is a beautiful, happy, and loving four year old who has autism. He struggles with the everyday language that comes so easily to most people. He also has behavioral problems and odd mannerisms that cause him to be shunned by his peers...
Braeden is in need of an autism assistance dog to help him understand and avoid dangerous situations, interrupt problem behavior, and serve as a social connection with peers...not to mention just being a good friend and Braeden desperately needs that.
Please help us reach the volunteer credits we need to have an autism assistance dog trained just for Braeden.
We really need your help.
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 lonely little boy whose life will change significantly upon receiving his dog. Read the testimonials. Reading them could change your life. It changed mine.
Muncie, Indiana, December 28, 2007: Christopher Burrows can tell you his Mommy has ALS. He knows it makes her muscles tired. But Christopher doesn't know that it will end his mother's life. ALS (Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis or "Lou Gehrig's Disease") has an average life expectancy of 3-5 years. Christopher's mom has had ALS for 3 years.,,
Lovable pooch brings smiles to child's face, comfort to his family By GEORGE BRYSON
October 28, 2007, Anchorage Daily News. Read how Halo, an autism assistance service dog from 4 Paws For Ability, has improved the quality of life for Leo Bernert, 4, and his family.
I urge you to investigate the excellent work of 4 Paws for Ability, and how this nonprofit organization makes it possible for children with disabilities to function more wholly through the help of highly trained service dogs.
I'm privileged to be working on a possible website update for one of the most amazing organizations: 4 Paws for Ability. I immediately got to know the story of Ben, who inspired Karen Shirk to found this nonprofit organization that tries to meet the needs of children with disabilities. Here's the poem she wrote about this magnificent companion:
 | BenThe Heavens looked down upon my life and saw my suffering. The spirits in all their wisdom could not end them, for it was not within their power. As I prayed for death, the Heavens opened up, and into my life came love, courage, protection, a friend, a confidante, a partner in life. He is the most beautiful spirit I have ever seen, and I call him Ben. ©Copyright 1996 by Karen Shirk |
Do you know someone in need of a trained assistance dog? You might want to investigate Canine Co-Pilots, of Flagstaff, Arizona.
This organization raises service dogs, social therapy dogs, hearing dogs, and autism dogs. Here's the way this 501(c)(3) works:
Our puppies are placed into volunteer homes at 8 weeks of age. The puppy raiser then attends training class once per week to learn training techniques and commands. The puppy raiser also gets to take their dog in training everywhere, including to their place of employment! After placement, the volunteer is required to participate in weekly field trips out in public alongside Canine Co-Pilots trainers. The dogs come back to us prior to their placement with a person with a disability.
Little Bit Therapeutic Riding Center provides therapeutic horseback riding to children and adults with disabilities who live in the Puget Sound area. Classes take place in an environment that emphasizes abilities rather than disabilities.
I heard about this wonderful organization from my daughter-in-law, who is deeply involved in supporting the needs of children with disabilities. She is a role model for me, and one of the world's finest women.
I used to love horseback riding, thanks to my mother's encouragement. Now my daughter has a couple of horses and family and friends enjoy riding them. I know what a bond a person can have with a horse. Mine was with a horse named Dixie.
It's exciting to see organizations like Little Bit helping people in the Pacific Northwest. This is how the Little Bit website describes some of the benefits for children with disabilities:
The horse's soothing rhythm, strength, warmth, and three-dimensional movement pattern provides healthy exercise while improving circulation and muscle tone. The discipline associated with working with horses and the social interactions between peers benefit the mind and spirit while raising self-esteem and increasing self-sufficiency through accomplishment. The unconditional love of the horses is proved to reduce anxiety, encourage interaction and offer a haven where riders can feel a sense of empowerment.
Take a moment to visit the site. See the warmth, the vitality, the kindness displayed by staff and children. Kudos to Little Bit!