Our eldest child, Gracie, was diagnosed with global developmental delay at age 3 years and is now diagnosed as having ASD (autistic spectrum disorder). She will turn 13 in January, and shows significant delays in the areas of communication and self-help. Both Dawson and myself have a background in secondary education and after 11 years of teaching, I am now about to take a year off from work to "home school" Gracie.
After looking into possible therapies for treating a child with ASD, we have chosen to run a programme that will involve a combination of ABA therapy and the GAPs diet. Both approaches are not widely accepted in treating autism (in New Zealand little is known about both), however, after reading up, searching on the net and asking for professional opinion (and sometimes ignoring professional opinion!)...we are prepared to try.
This blog is an attempt to document the year's journey for ourselves, and also share our story with others who may also be seeking effective ASD treatment for their children. In particular, I hope it may be of help to other New Zealanders where little support (financial or knowledge-based) is available around ABA therapy and the GAPs diet.
I will end with a well-known Maori saying (I must say that the essence gets lost in translation!)
Whāia te iti kahurangi, ki te tuohu koe me maunga teitei
Pursue that which is precious, and do not be deterred by anything less than a lofty mountain.
Nga mihi,
Kimai
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