As the parents of 14-year-old Charlie, Chris and Kaly have spent over a decade trying to understand autism and seeking solutions since their son was first diagnosed as a very young child. With the epidemic of Autism Spectrum Disorder rates increasing dramatically over the past 20 to 30 years, the Smith's are among the growing number of families directly affected by this complex neurological disord
er. Today, one in 55 male children in Australia, amongst other western countries, - is diagnosed with autism, representing an increase upwards of 80 per cent in just two decades. At the local level, the Barwon region in Victoria has one of Australia's highest autism spectrum disorder rates... and no one knows why! For Chris, Kaly and their daughter Courtenay, life with Charlie is never easy. He requires constant care 24/7 and can't be left alone for safety reasons. Due to the gut problems commonly associated with autism, he has strict dietary needs - in addition to his many other special needs. Sadly, he has no friends outside his own family. With the family recently welcoming assistance dog Rosie into their lives however, Charlie has found not only an extra carer but also a loyal companion. Rosie has been trained to look after Charlie and protect him from his potentially dangerous behaviours. She can stop him from running out onto the road and will seek him out if he goes wandering. Although it's still only early days since Rosie arrived, she has already had a profound effect on the Smith family. Small things like Kaly now being able to put the washing out on the line without keeping Charlie by her side - Rosie now keeps an eye on him. Big things like Charlie walking Rosie down to the end of the street and back all by himself. Even people's reactions to Charlie's odd behaviours are far more positive when Charlie has Rosie by his side. Strangers smile and are curious about her red vest, which signals that she is an assistance dog on the job. When that vest comes off however, Rosie is free to be just like any other dog - and, according to Chris, the transformation from work to play is amazing to watch. In time, Rosie will enable Charlie to attain a degree of independence that was previously unthinkable. At the moment, she is fast becoming Charlie's best friend as the two of them train and learn together. Rosie is being trained to respond to Charlie's specific needs with ongoing regular training required for the next two years. Chris explained that Charlie is as equally engaged in the training, which is having a positive influence on him across so many levels. Such intensive, individualised training does not come cheap however. It will cost the Smith family some $30,000 to fund Rosie's training so they are also trying to fit some fundraising activities into their tightly packed schedule. Having seen the benefits already, Chris is keen to raise awareness of autism and assistance dogs, which was a key motivating factor in speaking to the club. He would also like to try to provide other local families with autistic children with access to assistance dogs like Rosie. Knowing the financial and other pressures that many such families - including his own - face, Chris & Kaly are looking for help. In the meantime, keep your eye out for Charlie and Rosie around town. It will be hard to miss Rosie in her red 'working dog' vest!
