A Pleasantville family is seeking community support in obtaining a special friend for their 21/2-year-old autistic son.
Ty Beach, who lives with his mother and father, Travis and Jessica Beach, and his brother, Trenton, was diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder at the age of 18 months. Typically, children are not diagnosed until they are 3 years of age or older, but having his diagnosis this early has truly been a blessing to the Beach family, Jessica said.
Ty is receiving numerous therapies and support from many family members and friends, and he travels to Pittsburgh once a month with his mother and grandmother for feeding therapy at the Children's Institute, his mother said.
The Beach family is now seeking the help of the community for assistance in obtaining an "autism assistance" dog for their son. Ty and the dog will be paired together to meet the boy's special needs.
Autism, which affects an estimated one of 166 American youngsters, is a complex developmental disability that typically appears during the first three years of life. It is the result of a neurological disorder that affects the normal functioning of the brain, impacting development in the areas of social interaction and communication skills.
Both children and adults with autism typically show difficulties in verbal and non-verbal communication, social interactions and leisure or play activities. They process and respond to information in unique ways, and aggressive and self-injurious behavior may sometimes be present.
"Ty tends to be a wanderer and has no real fear of danger," his mother said. "Just a month ago we were in a panic that we had lost him. Travis took off running down the street and I began searching the yard. Trenton was told to search in the house for his brother. Trenton came outside laughing and said, 'Mommy, Ty is hiding behind your bed.'"
Jessica said moments like this will be a thing of the past with the assistance dog. The dog will assist the family in locating Ty if he ever wanders off, and the dog will be specially trained in search and rescue before he comes to live with the family.
Jessica says Ty loves the outdoors and water especially, and that makes her nervous.
"He doesn't respond to verbal commands and has his own agenda, and that it makes it difficult to keep a hold of him at times," Jessica said. "Ty will be tethered to the dog for family outings and I will have the other leash to the dog and the verbal commands to give to him or her. This will help Ty in not getting away from us and the dog will be able to stop him from going into traffic or another dangerous situation."
Jessica said the dog will also help comfort and calm Ty when the family goes to a busy shop or out to eat.
An autism assistance dog can cost anywhere from $5,000 to $10,000, and the cost includes all the training, previous veterinary bills, shots, upkeep, feeding and other expenses.
An account for the Beaches has been established, and anyone who would like to make a contribution can send money to any Northwest Savings Bank office (Titusville, Oil City, Warren, Pleasantville, Tidioute or Tionesta) in care of the Ty Beach Autism Assistance Dog Fund.
Anyone who wants more information on autism or New Hope assistance dogs can contact Jessica Beach at 814-589-5249
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