LITTLE Kynan Boyle spoke his first words while on an Autism Queensland program.
So you can understand the warmth the Boyle family feels towards the Kidstart Outreach Program.
“He hadn’t spoken before, so it was such a big deal for us,” mum Elouise Boyle said.
Dad Steven will be running and raising money for the organisation which has “opened the windows” on their two-year-old son.
Autism Queensland is The Sunday Mail Suncorp Bridge to Brisbane’s official charity because of its amazing work for children with autism and their families. Much of the money raised will go towards extending the Kidstart program, from which the Boyles benefited.
In the Kidstart course, children are given individual programs, mostly in the family’s homes, with intensive therapy to boost communication and social skills.
Mrs Boyle said Kynan was diagnosed early because his differences were quite obvious.
“We used to think he was deaf because he would never turn to his name,” she said.
“But we did the test and there were no problems. He has sensory issues; he is pretty much non-verbal and not very good with his fine motor skills.
“(Sometimes) there’s just non-stop screaming because that’s the only way he can communicate.
“He doesn’t sleep well at night because he can’t tell the difference between night and day.”
Mr Boyle had to leave his job to assist in the full-time care of Kynan, but he and his wife don’t regret a minute.
“I can’t imagine life without him,” Mrs Boyle said.
Apart from the small steps taken with his speaking, the couple have just been trained in getting Kynan to communicate using picture recognition.
It’s early days yet, but they can see the positives, hoping eventually he can tell them through the pictures he is thirsty or hungry.
A regular Friday playgroup run by Autism Queensland has been a lifeline. “We have remained friends outside the playgroup. We go to other children’s birthday parties and it’s lovely to share that support,” Mrs Boyle said.
“Because it can be hard. . . sometimes you will go to the shops and Kynan will have a meltdown and people stare at you like you have a terrible child. But people in the playgroup can share all that and give you support.”
FACT FILE
BRISBANE:
* Two schools (Brighton and Sunnybank) that provide an autism-specific curriculum for children from early intervention to school age to complement their broader education
* Eight houses providing 24-hour supported accommodation for adults with autism
* Two respite houses providing short-term breaks for the families of people with autism
REGIONAL QLD:
* EarlyAQtion group placements, playgroups, individual programs and outreach programs in far-north Queensland and central Queensland
* Two regional centres in Rockhampton and Cairns. These centres will focus on early intervention for children under school age
For more information, visit www.autismqld.com.au.