Andrew Smith needs a dog — not just any dog, but a service dog that can keep the 5-year-old safer while simultaneously modifying some of the behavior anomalies that accompany his autism.
The only thing standing between the boy and his dog is $13,000, and Messiah Lutheran Church members are trying to help raise money for the purchase.
A drive-through restaurant will be set up temporarily in the parking lot south of the the church at 1101 Neosho St., from 4 to 7:30 p.m. Monday. For $4 per plate, customers will receive a hamburger or hot dog, baked beans, chips, dessert and beverage.
“You don’t have to get out of your car,” said Andrew’s mother, Janice Shade. “You just pull up, you pay, and there you go, a drive-through.”
The fundraiser is being organized by a committee headed by Cathy Birk. Thrivent Financial for Lutherans provides matching funds for money raised by the project.
Because autistic children often seem to relate better to the dogs than to adults teaching them, the service dog will be used to train Andrew to function better and more safely. Now, Andrew poses a hazard to himself, with his tendency to slip away from his mother and take off across streets and other potentially hazardous areas.
The disappearing act is a common symptom in autistic children, who often feel compelled to get away from crowds, overstimulation and other situations.
The dog needs to come from fundraising for the 4 Paws for Ability, a non-profit organization that uses “Taking the ‘dis’ out of disAbility” as its trademark. Andrew’s mother, Janice Schade, said the organization requires that dogs be purchased through fundraising, rather than direct purchase. The 4 Paws Web site states that autism service dogs are its most-requested animal.
Andrew was diagnosed with autism on Nov. 2, 2005.
“I remember that day very well,” Schade said.
It was the culmination of three years of reaching milestones and regressing inexplicably. Andrew was born prematurely, so Schade was not surprised that he took a little longer to reach traditional childhood milestones.
“But when he got to 12 months, he was getting really close to where he needed to be,” she said. “... When he was 18 months old, he actually regressed; he lost a lot of his vocabulary.”
Andrew became, for the most part, non-verbal and “pretty much had his own language when he spoke,” she said.
At 2, she attributed his behavior to his age. He would line up all of his toys, then knock them down; he avoided eye contact and preferred to play alone or with an adult rather than with children his own age.
“I just thought it was the terrible twos and I didn’t think too much of it because he was my first child,” Schade said. Schade’s mother noticed Andrew’s unusual behavior, too, and the women speculated about whether he would outgrow it.
“After he turned 3, both of us realized nothing is changing,” Schade said.
Her mother suggested she have Andrew tested at the Flint Hills Special Education Cooperative at Mary Herbert Learning Ce nter.
Professionals there recommended that he be evaluated by specialists at the University of Kansas Medical Center, which put Andrew on a long waiting list.
“(The co-op) actually went ahead and put him into pre-school at 3 years old,” Schade said. “We were able to start pre-school before he got diagnosed.”
Andrew now attends a special class mornings at Neosho Rapids elementary school, and goes to kindergarten in the afternoon at Olpe Elementary.
“For the most part, he’s doing better,” she said. “Socially is where he’s lacking the most. ... If he becomes overstimulated, he tends to walk away or he runs away.”
For his own safety, though, he needs the protection and lessons that can come from having a service dog.
“The dog will have behavior modification skills and tracking and rescue skills,” Schade said. “When Andrew starts doing something that’s unacceptable, like throwing a tantrum ... the dog will give him a cue to discontinue that behavior. They say kids pick up quicker from a dog giving a cue than from parents.”
The dog also will subtly teach Andrew better safety habits to protect him and keep him from running into streets and other hazardous situations.
“He has no environmental awareness, so he will be tethered to the dog with a strap until he learns that he has to stop when the dog stops,” she said. “Later, he will have a leash.”
The dog also will respond to commands from Schade, in case Andrew goes out of sight.
“I would tell the dog, ‘Find Andrew’ and that dog can track him even after an hour after he’s been missing. That’s what makes the dog so expensive, because he has to be trained with all these extra skills.”
When the dog can be purchased, it will be trained for about eight months to suit Andrew’s special needs.
Schade and her son then will go to Ohio to train with the dog for two weeks before bringing it home with them.
The demand for service dogs is growing, as is the number of children diagnosed with autism.
Scientists have yet to identify the causes for the condition. For a time, a theory held that mercury used to preserve vaccination serums was the cause, but that seems to have been disproven.
“Autism jumped 700 percent when they introduced mercury into the vaccinations ... but once they banned it, it’s getting even worse,” said Schade, who reads all the literature she can find about autism.
“When Andrew was diagnosed, the statistics for autism were one in every 166 kids were being diagnosed with autism. ... Now the statistics say one in every 150, so they’re thinking it’s environmental causes but they don’t know what it is.”
For two years, Andrew had chelation treatments with a cream that was absorbed through the skin; metals then were flushed from his body through urination.
“We tried all kinds of different things,” she said. “We still do weekly allergy shots at home.”
Schade sees improvement after two years of speech and occupational therapy at the co-op and other treatments.
“He’s getting better. When he is upset, he’s in his own language. ... He knows what he’s saying, but I don’t have a clue,” she said.
Initially, tests showed the Andrew’s autism to be on the severe side of the scale.
“He got re-evaluated and now he’s closer to being on the low end of the moderate scale, so a lot of progress has been made,” Schade said. “We still have a long way to go, though.”
msw2003 (anonymous) says...
You might check with the Jones Foundation and see if they would be willing to assist with the cost of the service dog if medically needed.
October 3, 2007 at 1:34 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
skelley01 (anonymous) says...
Are donations from businesses accepted toward the purchase price of the dog?
October 3, 2007 at 3:07 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
siamesefred (anonymous) says...
The 4 Paws Web site, www.4pawsforability.org, says that donations can be sent directly to them along with a notation or copy of the newspaper article of Andrew's story so they can credit the money to his account.
I don't think there would be any problems with donations from businesses. 4 Paws is 501c3, so the donation would be tax-deductible.
October 3, 2007 at 3:30 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Rodeo_Chick98 (anonymous) says...
An application has been submitted to the Jones Foundation and yes, businesses can donate. If a business donates to Messiah Lutheran Church, Thrivent for Lutherans will match the proceeds the church makes. All support is greatly appreciated. ~ Janice Schade
October 3, 2007 at 5:33 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
msw2003 (anonymous) says...
Janice
I contacted the Jones Foundation today and they indicated they had made a decision regarding assisting with the cost of therapy dogs but the person I talked to had not seen the decision as of yet. I shared I have had experience working/using therapy dogs in the school system in Wichita for kids with behavior disorders as well as in a hospice setting. Therapy dogs are a wonderful tool to use with people with disabilities. Feel free to email me at zaksmom@cox.net as I have additional ideas where to find additional funds. Melissa Thomas Gronau, LMSW
October 3, 2007 at 10:29 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
suzyQ (anonymous) says...
Come on Emporians ,lets all get behind this.
October 4, 2007 at 8:56 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
sohawaiian2 (anonymous) says...
I'll be there to help, Janice, God bless you.
Your high school English teacher.
October 4, 2007 at 9:24 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Rodeo_Chick98 (anonymous) says...
I just want to thank everyone for being so generous and supportive. Our family is truly blessed! If anyone has ideas to help us or wants to keep in touch with us my email address is Rodeo_Chick98@yahoo.com. Andrew will be at the cook out for awhile but it depends on how long he can be entertained in the parking lot. Please come see us! Thanks again Emporia!
Janice
October 4, 2007 at 10:27 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Firecracker (anonymous) says...
Has anyone checked various children's charities for grant funding available? Maybe contact a representative from the Delta Society about potential funding sources. Lutheran charities do wonderful work for special needs children. They are by far your best resource for children in need.
October 5, 2007 at 1:12 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
hartford (anonymous) says...
Olpe has deep pockets, I'm sure the people of Olpe could come up with all of it. Has anyone asked Joe Wendling at the bank? He has a big heart!
October 6, 2007 at 1:37 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
create (anonymous) says...
Sounds like you're being sarcastic, hartford. Why don't you say what you mean.
October 6, 2007 at 10:44 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
hartford (anonymous) says...
create:
Not being sarcastic at all! I know many people in Olpe. My thought was why not ask the town of Olpe? they Do have deep pockets when it comes to their towns needs! Why is that sarcastic create?
October 20, 2007 at 6 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
create (anonymous) says...
hartford,
Sorry to offend you, but it just sounded sarcastic. Perhaps I was allowing the old rivalry between Olpe and Hartford to get in the way. Sorry 'bout that.
October 20, 2007 at 1:32 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
hartford (anonymous) says...
No problem create!
I think you are well spoken create. I enjoy reading what you write. I'm not saying I always agree with you, but that is ok. Keep it up create!
October 23, 2007 at 12:29 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )