Cayden was diagnosed with profound autism when he was 2 years old. Since his diagnosis, he has worked with multiple therapies, including: Applied Behavioral Analysis (ABA), Speech Therapy, and Occupational Therapy. Each day Cayden works hard to overcome communication barriers and challenges with sensory processing. Cayden is non-verbal, which adds another layer of frustration to communicate his needs properly. Like many other individuals of the autism spectrum, Cayden struggles to sleep for longer than 4 hours at a time, which greatly impacts his daily activities due to this abnormal sleep schedule. Another challenge is daily meltdowns, which can consist of extreme frustration, self injurious behavior and lack of control. These meltdowns can last long durations of time and leave Cayden feeling drained. Elopement has also been a scary issue because Cayden enjoys being outdoors but struggles with following directions, like, staying away from bodies of water, staying out of the street, remaining close to parents in crowded environments and maintaining appropriate distance from strangers. While these are just some of the obstacles Cayden faces daily, each of these could be greatly improved through his relationship with a service dog.

a service dog is Cayden’s life would open so many doors for communication with peers, sensory meltdown management, and independence to move about an environment with a guide. Service dogs are specifically trained to help individuals on the spectrum communicate verbally and non-verbally to express their needs. These dogs are trained to follow commands based on the child’s communication, whether that be sign language or AAC device (tablet). Service dogs are also trained to provide comfort and even administer body compressions to assist with sleep and meltdowns. The dog will be trained to sense when Cayden is going to have a meltdown so the family can be prepared and provide the safest environment possible. These meltdowns are physically and emotionally exhausting; comfort from the service dog would allow Cayden to recover faster and learn how to cope easier as he grows with the dog. When it comes to elopement, the service dogs are rigidly trained to keep the child safe in multiple environments. Cayden would wear a special belt that would attach him to the dog, this would give him independence, but if a hazardous situation occurred , the dog would lay down and wait for the family to assist.

Your donation would go towards the purchase of a registered service dog. The service dog would come from a reputable organization that would provide training for the dog and family. Most importantly, your donation will change the life of a child as he navigates the world and works towards autonomy.