Theo is a 9-year-old little boy who has Autistic Traits, sensory seeking and avoidance, emotional irregulation, High Anxiety socially and general. Most of all Theo is a very intelligent vibrant child who is screaming for acceptance to be able to shine. Currently his self-esteem/self-worth and confidence has plummeted to none existent which is hard to watch and makes us feel helpless.
Due to these we have been advised to look at Assistant Dog to help Theo become more aware over his emotional state and can help distract him or to become aware and give him or move him to the environment he needs E.g. sensory den, Ear defenders and so on. We have been told the dog will help build his confidence self-esteem and independence. Also to help us as a family keep him safe from running away and from physical outbursts. Theo is struggling with relationships within family and also friends are becoming less tolerant of his ways and this is having such a negative impact on Theo well being and his self-worth he is slipping further into himself rather than striving in life. At the minuet we are struggling to see a positive prospect of fulfilling his dreams of working in marine life or as a firefighter, as he is finding it hard to do any activities outside of his own world. Theo has a lot of potential as he is very intelligent and we want to do anything we possibly can to aid him to do this himself with our full support. We believe this dog from research and speaking to people who have investing in this type of pathway is a really positive step for Theo and will bring him on in the positive best way he can. The dog will be trained fully in tune to Theo’s needs and will know and understand what and when he needs to do at what times keeping his structured routine in place lowering his anxiety. For instance, the dog will know when Theo’s anxiety is becoming heightened before he does and will have strategies learnt to distract Theo.