Hope For Rex

Rex was diagnosed with Autism just before his 2nd birthday. Despite Intensive Early Intervention (35 hours a week), we continued to see regression in his behavior. Starting school was rocky and he struggled with anxiety and self-injury. He would bang his head and run away, but he was small enough to block. Now that Rex is 7 years old we struggle to keep him safe. He bangs his head, hits himself and others, and throws things all the time. He especially likes to throw lamps and bang his head on hard floors and walls. We are running out of resources and Rex can no longer tolerate being in public or attending school.

KENNEDY KRIEGER\'S NEUROBEHAVIORAL UNIT (at JOHN\'S HOPKINS) HAS ACCEPTED REX INTO THEIR PROGRAM!!! THIS WAS OUR LAST HOPE OF KEEPING HIM HOME LONG-TERM!!  KKI offers a 16 bed neurobehavioral inpatient program for people with severe and untreatable self-injurious behavior.  Their goal is to keep these kids in the home and out of institutions.

Rex\'s family will incur many expenses while he stays in Baltimore for this intense 3-6 month inpatient program. In addition to the many deductibles and co-pays for various treatments, they expect an additional $1500 a month in living expenses just to travel back and forth and be by his side. They hope to stay at the Baltimore Ronald McDonald House but even that has an expense of $300 a week.  Since Rex was diagnosed with autism in 2005, his mother has been unable to return to work due to the amount of care he needs. 

Any financial support you can give would be greatly appreciated!

Rex is a dear, sweet boy who likes many things that other 7 year-olds do. He loves playing wii, swimming, reading and going to the playground. Recently he was chosen to receive an Autism Service Dog! His Dog James is in training at Animals for Autism and will join him in his home when he returns from his hospital stay!

Please visit his Carepage for updates! 
http://www.carepages.com/carepages/HopeForRex/patient

AUTISM FACTS:

Autism now affects 1 in 110 children and 1 in 70 boys.

Approximately 1% of children with Autism have severe self-injurious behavior.

Autism is the fastest-growing serious developmental disability in the U.S.

Boys are four times more likely than girls to have autism.

There is no medical detection or cure for autism.