AYDENN'S AUTISM AWARENESS (AAA)

My name is Aydenn, and I am four (4) years old. I was diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder last December 2017. I am working very hard to put the pieces together that will fit perfectly to help me live, play, learn and socialize with ease and independence.

I am smart and have a great memory, but it's a little of a struggle for me to play with other children because I tend to isolate myself from others. This is a behavioral issue that is expected from ASD individuals. I am sensitive to loud noises and bright lights; I do not like to eat with spoons or forks. I have my own systematic way of doing the simplest things and eating finger type foods is currently my preferred way to eat my food.

I can see that my mom loves me very much, and she is educating herself on how to help me to become the best me I can be, but I know she is sometimes sad and frustrated when I have my melt-downs and tantrum episodes. I wish I knew how to control my behavior on my own, but I am just a kid with ASD whose learning how to behave socially the very best I can for now.

I know there are so many other disabled children and adults, who like me, struggle through their very own personal and daily challenges, and my heart goes out to them and their families because I know, first hand, what they are going through. My mom is always praying, and she is teaching me how important it is to pray for others more than myself, so we will continue to pray each day for all of you too.

With that being said, I do not wish to focus on my daily struggles and challenges but on the things (therapy) that I know can make a huge difference in my developmental, educational and social progress. I am asking for your help to assist me to continue with the therapies that work best for my development and personal growth.

I learn best through music, dance, sign language, and one on one therapy sessions. The pre-school I attend has limited resources to help a child like me due to funding and limited trained staff members. The music and sign language classes are quite expensive for a single parent with a minimum wage job to afford the assistance and resources needed to help me make sense of the challenging pieces that are uniquely designed for my specific puzzle.

I'm inviting all of you to follow me on this journey. With your help, I will be able to give back and help others in my community. My mother believes that I can be a blessing to others in the form of a Rehabilitation Counselor, a Speech and Language Therapist, or some type of Disability Resource Specialist. I’m not sure if I will be able to assistance others in that exact form, but my mother may be calling this one right, especially since I enjoy helping others. There is a one (1) year waiting list to receive the assistance for the therapies I need. With your donations, I will be able to continue my occupational, physical, and speech therapies.

I thank you all for reading my story, and I ask God to bless each and everyone who is able to donate for a great therapeutic cause. Your gifts and donations will be more than appreciated, and honored as a blessing in disguise as I share the love to help others, like me, in the future...please follow me and my story, and you shall see, just how helpful I will be!

~ AYDENN ~