Hi everyone,

As many of you know, we have an amazing little 6-year-old guy named Nolan. He was diagnosed with level 2 ASD (Autism Spectrum Disorder) when he was just 2 years old.

We have been doing our best navigating the system and grants available in Ontario. In November 2024, Nolan started exhibiting some aggressive behaviors, including pinching (breaking skin) and biting himself. We applied for and received help from urgent response services, but these services only lasted 12 weeks.

We received help from occupational therapists, behavioral analysts, psychiatrists, respite workers, etc. They worked with us and the school to ensure we were all on the same page and helping Nolan in the same way. To say these services were needed and effective would be an understatement. We have tried to use existing funding to maintain 10 hours per week of respite care, where Nolan goes swimming at the YMCA and gets to "play" with some great, well-trained respite providers. Since the funded services ended, we pay for 3 hours per week out of pocket and use SSAH (Special Services at Home) funds from the government of Ontario for the remaining 7 hours per week. We do receive $4,000 for this funding; however, at $30/hour, it doesn't last for even half the year.

This year, for my birthday, the only thing I would like is to continue these services beyond September (when our current funds will run out). If you were planning to buy me anything for my birthday, I would rather receive money or a donation to this GoFundMe. It costs $210 per week to maintain our status quo: $120 for Nolan to go swimming on Saturdays and $90 for 3 hours on Tuesdays. We pay for an additional 3 hours on Thursdays, which we will continue.

This removes so much stress on Pete and me and allows us to be at our best the rest of the time for Nolan. We were so burnt out and didn't even realize it. It's not a place we want to go back to. Any help would be greatly appreciated. We love you all ❤️