Ayrton is a 7 year old boy diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) level 3, This is the most severe level and requires very substantial support. He is non-verbal and his only method of communication is through an augmentative and alternative communication (AAC) device, which he has difficulty using to communicate basic wants and needs. He often must resort to physical gestures / prompts to request help and support on a day to day basis.
When he was 18 months old, we noticed that Ayrton had stopped hitting key developmental milestones; in some cases his development was regressing. We therefore decided to have him evaluated and received his official ASD diagnosis on September 11th, 2019, when he was only 2 years old. Following his diagnosis we were able to get him enrolled in ABA Therapy, but its effectiveness was severely limited due to the Covid-19 pandemic that ensued. In September 2020, due to the severity of his diagnosis, he was enrolled into an early learning program and, since then, he has received occupational therapy and speech therapy on a weekly basis.
To put this into perspective, Ayrton has never had the ability to communicate verbally with his parents, brother, grandparents, teachers, or fellow students. He’s unable to say how he’s feeling, if something hurts, if he feels good, if he’s happy or sad, what is his favorite color, what he wants to eat or drink, whether he’s hot or cold, if something is bothering him, or if he needs help. He struggles to follow simple verbal commands and to complete tasks like putting on his clothes, brushing his teeth, washing his hands, and going to the bathroom.He has never had a regular sleep cycle. He struggles with getting to sleep, and rarely sleeps through the night – he is lucky to average only about 6 or 7 hours of sleep a day. He has difficulty regulating his emotions, which can often be triggered when there are small changes in his routine or environment.Despite these challenges, Ayrton is an amazingly sweet, gentle and kind young boy, who seems to have a sixth sense about people. He has an infectious smile that lights up a room and he’ll often meet new people and give them a hug or a “kiss”, which we can only assume is based on their “energy” that he can sense. He absolutely LOVES to swing, and he has a circular swing that is his favorite method to self-regulate. His teachers and para-educators adore him, and he now has a few friends from his school that we lovingly refer to as his “entourage”.
This fundraiser for Ayrton is to help pay for Stem Cell Therapy treatment, which typically costs $20,000 per round of treatment, and is not covered by insurance. If you’re like us, then you’re probably not very familiar with Stem Cell Therapy, but it’s an extremely safe and effective treatment that has helped thousands of children with ASD over the last 15 years.
Since receiving his first round of treatment in April, we (as well as his therapists, teachers, and extended family) have observed some amazing results and improvements over the last 4 months that have far exceed any gains we’ve have seen over the last 4 years. For example, he’s now able to make considerably more direct eye contact, he laughs more and seems happier, he’s started to make some audible sounds that resemble words, he’s able to follow some simple commands, he’s learning to brush his teeth and dress himself, and has shown a desire to be more involved in social settings (vs. being in his “bubble”). Please click on both of the galleries to see more photos of the positive changes that have taken place after just one treatment.These treatments are most effective and beneficial in patients who are younger than 10 years old, so time is of the essence. Ayrton is approved to receive a second treatment in November this year, and is able to receive additional treatments every 6 months. We expect that he will need at least more 5 rounds of treatment over the coming 2-3 years, for an estimated cost of approximately $100,000.
Please make a tax deductible donation to Help Hope Live in Ayrton’s honor today, and ask your friends and family to consider donating as well! Your generous support will help pay for treatments that will make a significant difference in Ayrton’s life, and create a future where he can show the world his true-self. Our hope is that he will be able to have friends, complete his education, have a job, and live independently as an adult!Ayrton’s family has chosen to fundraise through Help Hope Live in part because Help Hope Live assures fiscal accountability of funds raised and tax deductibility for contributors. Contributors can be sure donations will be used to pay or reimburse medical and related expenses. To make a tax-deductible donation to this fundraising campaign, please click on the Give button.
For more information, please contact Help Hope Live at 800.642.8399.
