Help Us Fight Her Fight!
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Kristy was diagnosed with Autism at 2 1/2 years old. As devastating as the diagnosis was, moving forward with treatment was our only option. We were extremely lucky to be brought immediately into a program with a cut-off age of 3 years, without the formal diagnosis paperwork (which came very shortly after). When she turned 3, she was transitioned out of the Gateways program and into preschool. The first year went fantastic, but over the summer, even with drop-in occupational and speech therapies, she began to regress. Her regression behaviors got out of control, including hitting herself and others, throwing things, and screaming for hours. She couldn't express her emotions or comprehend what was being said to her. The following fall, she went to a full-day preschool, which helped tremendously. She also attended summer school, which helped to keep regression at bay, although she continued to regress in some areas.
She is now in kindergarten and receiving in-home therapy 5 sessions a week. Kristy suffers from extreme noise sensitivies, some self-injurous behaviors, and chronic gastrointestinal problems that landed her in the hospital in December of 2013, that we still struggle with today. Kristy still struggles with comprehension when being spoken to, changes in routines, and general activities of daily living such as dressing and toileting. Due to these behavioral and medical issues, reducing therapy is not an option.
The therapy is very costly, even with health insurance. We are currently stuggling to keep up with the costs, even while both of us work full-time jobs. We are asking for any help anyone can provide-even the smallest of donations would go a long way. Her therapy as it stands right now is $500.00 per month out of pocket, not including any special visits, like accompanying to IEP meetings, etc., to ensure she gets what she needs at school for occupational and speech therapy etc.
Any help is so much appreciated.
Thank you,
Toni, Paul and Kristy <3
Kristy was diagnosed with Autism at 2 1/2 years old. As devastating as the diagnosis was, moving forward with treatment was our only option. We were extremely lucky to be brought immediately into a program with a cut-off age of 3 years, without the formal diagnosis paperwork (which came very shortly after). When she turned 3, she was transitioned out of the Gateways program and into preschool. The first year went fantastic, but over the summer, even with drop-in occupational and speech therapies, she began to regress. Her regression behaviors got out of control, including hitting herself and others, throwing things, and screaming for hours. She couldn't express her emotions or comprehend what was being said to her. The following fall, she went to a full-day preschool, which helped tremendously. She also attended summer school, which helped to keep regression at bay, although she continued to regress in some areas.
She is now in kindergarten and receiving in-home therapy 5 sessions a week. Kristy suffers from extreme noise sensitivies, some self-injurous behaviors, and chronic gastrointestinal problems that landed her in the hospital in December of 2013, that we still struggle with today. Kristy still struggles with comprehension when being spoken to, changes in routines, and general activities of daily living such as dressing and toileting. Due to these behavioral and medical issues, reducing therapy is not an option.
The therapy is very costly, even with health insurance. We are currently stuggling to keep up with the costs, even while both of us work full-time jobs. We are asking for any help anyone can provide-even the smallest of donations would go a long way. Her therapy as it stands right now is $500.00 per month out of pocket, not including any special visits, like accompanying to IEP meetings, etc., to ensure she gets what she needs at school for occupational and speech therapy etc.
Any help is so much appreciated.
Thank you,
Toni, Paul and Kristy <3
Organizer
Toni Bernard
Organizer
Nashua, NH
