Therapies for Alex with Asperger’s syndrome

Hi everyone :) . My name is Alex, I am 4 years old and I have been diagnosed with Asperger's Syndrome.

I was born on time and completely healthy. But after I was born due to an acquired infection in the maternity ward I was given my first antibiotics, ampicillin and gentamicin. As my parents only later learned, gentamicin can have multiple side effects :( .

The first year I developed just like any healthy child. I laughed, played with toys, enjoyed the presence of family. But when I was about a year old, I started to become more nervous, more defiant, screaming and throwing myself on the ground when I didn't like something, when someone else sat on the swing on the playground, sliding on the slide. I had the MMR vaccine at 15 months which caused swelling of my fontanelle and high fevers. Which may have also been the cause of the stagnation in development. I couldn't speak well to express what I liked or didn't like. I found it very difficult to learn the rules. I didn't always respond to being called by name and it took multiple times of emphatically addressing me to get me to pay attention and look around. As my parents practiced this with me and it got better, they thought it was just a transitional period in my development. I just continued to show no interest in other kids, I didn't start connecting words into sentences until I was 2.5 years old.

Mum and Dad are very grateful to my wonderful teachers who alerted us to the possibility that I had Asperger's Syndrome. Finally someone named it, why I behave differently and why I am interested in other subjects, for me mainly numbers and letters. Asperger's Syndrome was also confirmed to me by the doctor. This moment started the struggle to be able to fit into mainstream life as best as possible later on. Whether it be preschool, later school, respecting teachers, other children and making friends. But also, for example, to be able to travel later on, which is a trivial thing for someone, for me a hugely difficult thing to travel by public transport or in a stranger's car. But for all this and much more I need therapy. Unfortunately public health insurance reimburses nothing for children like me, all costs are borne by the parents. I have a wonderful therapeutic teacher who I see every 1-2 weeks for developmental stimulation. They are seeing progress at home and at preschool too. I go to play therapy once a week, where among other things I am also learning how to express my feelings and communicate with other people. However, I also need other therapies, which cost a lot of money and also a lot of time. My dream is also dolphin therapy, which is unfortunately prohibitively expensive. For the maturation of the central nervous system I need to take high quality expensive Omega3 fatty acids. Not to mention the various stimulation and sensory learning aids. Mom would prefer to stay home from work so she has more time and can give me more attention. But she can't afford that luxury.

Unfortunately Asperger's Syndrome is not my only diagnosis. I have delayed speech development, for which I see a speech therapist. The orthopedist diagnosed joint hypermobility, flat feet and sunken ankles, X-shaped knees. Therefore, I have to wear special insoles in my shoes and special shoes. I would also need to see a physiotherapist with my feet. Unfortunately hour rates of exercise with a physiotherapist is a lot of money. Mum and dad had to make a decision, either therapy with a therapeutic educator and a psychologist, or a physiotherapist. And since they want me to be as independent as possible and be able to function in society, we're addressing the feet with custom orthopedic insoles for now. Although they are very worried about it and realize that it is not an ideal condition. Most recently, however, I am also troubled by food allergies, I cannot eat or drink anything containing dairy ingredient. I've also been banned from eggs, apples and foods containing histamine, so my mum packs me food for nursery every day. This adapting of meals and suitable vegan substitutes costs a pretty penny. For histamine intolerance, I have to take Daosin, which is not reimbursed by insurance. But supposedly my allergies can be outgrown, and I'm still a wee one, so I have a chance to heal. But I need help with that. I need to follow an expensive diet and also get my gut and microbiome healthy.

My parents tell me that there are some people with very good hearts who know how to help others. Therefore, I am appealing to you for help, even if it is just a small amount, to give me the opportunity to attend more therapies that help me and move me forward. Also so that my feet and bowels can heal. And so that I can live a full life, like other children.

Thank you from the bottom of my heart for sharing this challenge as well.