Give Max a Voice

Dave and Sarah Page's much wanted child, Max, was born in November 2012. It was an exciting time for them (and for many of us!) but especially for Sarah, whose journey to motherhood had long been a struggle.

At some point Sarah started noticing that their beautiful boy Max wasn’t developing the same as the babies whose lives she had long been a part of. It was especially notable next to babies of the same age. At 18 months old, after missing many of those precious milestones and talking with several professionals, they had a reason why. Diagnosis was Moderate to Severe Autism. Worst case scenarios were presented to Dave and Sarah, most heartbreaking to Sarah was that Max may never speak, that he may never have a voice. Despite being ‘quietly devastated’, rather than sit in despair, Dave and Sarah threw themselves into learning about what could be done to help Max. With many hours of research and expert consultation they have learned about Applied Behaviour Analysis for Autism (ABA)

ABA is a scientifically validated form of behaviour analysis and modification. ABA therapy takes psychological and educational techniques and tailors them to each individual child to alter their behaviours.

Autistic children, especially those located as far down the scale as Max, often exist solely in their own world. ABA is proven effective at reaching them and this, along with early intervention is the only chance that Max has at reducing the severity of his autism and bringing him partially into the world we all live in, the world his parents desperately want to share with him.

ABA IS NOT FUNDED IN NEW ZEALAND. Despite its known effectiveness, it is not even subsidised here. ABA is funded or subsidised in many developed countries, including Australia, through many health funds in America and is even written into the law in Norway! But here, the cost is extensive.

It is recommended that a child have at least 20 hours ABA per week. At $55+ per hour, this adds up. The absolute minimum acceptable weekly commitment is 10 hours. $550 per week

My wish is that we can help ease the financial burden of this 10 hours per week commitment, especially given that ongoing therapy is beneficial indefinitely but, in order to make a difference, absolutely vital in the years before they turn 5.

If you know Dave and Sarah, you know they are good people. They are kind hearted, community minded, socially responsible, hardworking and selfless people. They have put so much money into his Speech Therapy and Occupational Therapy but what our little Max needs is ABA. For everything they have given us, given our families, given their communities, I would like to give back. Please donate generously for the light of their lives. Please share this page. Please give back for Max.

How much would you pay to give your child a voice?