Autism & Aba In The Bush - Sydney - Has Ended
DO Details
Join us for an evening of cocktails in the gorgeous Speakers Courtyard of NSW Parliament House (and feel free to bring your friends!).
Take the time to learn a little more about autism and what it means for families, all whilst supporting two little country boys to receive the best possible therapy - and the best chance at a full and meaningful life!
It will be a great night with Ian Rogerson our emcee and Autism Awareness Australia at the event.
Also, Moree artist James Kearns will be showing some of his work - with any sold making a contribution to the boys. (http://www.kearnsyart.com/).
We will of course be having an auction with some great items, including:
- Moree experience with return flights, accommodation, meals, helicopter ride and a day at the artesian spas
- An opportunity to join Alan Jones in his studio at Radio 2GB
- Signed and framed James Magnussen swimming cap thanks to CBA
- Boxing gloves signed byDanny Green & Roy Jones Jnr thanks to Scott Hawkins
Rather than run the obligatory raffle, we are selling Lucky Envelopes with vouchers for lots of goodies including Gwydir Grove Olive Oil, Simply Stuck Printing vouchers, make up vouchers with thanks to Greg & Carmel Mills and vouchers from Wine Marshalls as we approach the silly season.
In fact, everyone who purchases a Lucky Envelope on the night will leave with a special thank you gift from Country Autism Network and the McDonald & Hughes families.
A BIG thank you to our supporters
Alan Jones
- QantasLink
- Econolodge Moree
- Ron Greentree
- Commonwealth Bank
- Scott Hawkins
- James Kearns
- Simply Stuck Printin
- Greg & Carmel Mills
- Wine Marshalls
- Gwydir Grove
We are so excited to also have Autism Awareness Australia with us, as everyone works towards the best outcomes for all children on the Autism Spectrum.
All monies raised will be paid directly to the boys ABA Clinics to cover those fees.
AUTISM & ABA
Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) is a lifelong disability, but the Spectrum is incredibly broad and with right Early Intervention (EI) it is possible to move along the Spectrum. Up to 15% of children move to the point of being indistinguishable with the right quality and intensity of EI.
Applied Behaviour Analysis (ABA) is the only evidence and research based therapy in the Federal Government's own 'good practice guidelines' - no longer called 'best' but that's another issue!
There is no ABA available via the public system, so if a family wants to access the most effective EI for their child they must do so through a private clinic.
This costs around $60,000 per year in clinic fees, excluding in-home therapists costs.
For country families there is the added travel costs, as well as additional child care including overnights for any other children in the family, coupled with the inability for one parent to work due to running the program and associated travel.
The Boys
Fred Hughes is five years of age and has been undertaking ABA since August 2012. Fred has gone from being non-verbal and disengaged, to a fun loving little boy who loves to play with his brother and sister, whose communication skills are coming ahead in leaps and bounds and who attends mainstream preschool two days per week.
He currently does 20 hours of one on one ABA per week, with three to four days per month spent in Sydney at the Lizard Centre in Lane Cove West. At this stage we have been advised to home school next year. This will allow Fred to maintain his therapy levels in order to work on increasing his language capabilities as well as continue working on his daily living skills, especially personal safety.
Braxton McDonald is three years of age and has only recently been diagnosed. Braxton has very limited ability to communicate and has specific sensory needs.
Braxton has been doing an ABA program through The Learning Clinic in Gladesville, with his ability to attend and listen already improving, this in turn increases his ability to learn.
Both boys live in Moree, a town in far west NSW and travel to Sydney for therapy.
