She describes becoming really concerned. ‘He hated school, and going into shops on his own. Too many people and too much noise. He showed tendencies to frustration here at home and would act up. He’d scream, yell, punch cushions and cry. He just wasn’t going to go to school, it didn’t matter what we tried to do. We knew we needed help.’ I took him to my doctor, and he referred Asher to public mental health... they never responded.’
As Asher is a hemophiliac, Asher and Janice were in contact with the Hemophilia Foundation. Through the foundation, Janice found Child and Adolescent Psychotherapist Simon Hall at the Harakeke Centre in Christchurch. As a member of the therapists’ team at Kenzie’s Gift, Simon was able to provide Asher with therapy sessions funded by Kenzie's Gift – this was a turning point for the family.
‘Asher loved Simon, they got on so well.’ Janice describes Asher’s therapy with Simon as making a huge difference to Asher’s wellbeing, as well as helping the family to feel more supported. With Simon’s guidance, Janice also pursued appointments with a clinical psychologist, who diagnosed Asher with Autism Spectrum Disorder.’
With professional mental health support in place following a referral from Simon, Janice was able to get Asher started with correspondence school, which he can do from home.
‘He’s a much happier lad. He loves spending time with his father on his farm and wants to have a career in animal husbandry and agriculture. We were so very grateful to have those funds from your organisation, or this situation would never have happened for us. I was trying to finance mental health support, but it was incredibly difficult. If Kenzie’s Gift hadn’t come along, I really don’t know what we would’ve done.
Asher’s doing so well now. He’s 13 - he is calmer, he knows what he wants, he can go into shops on his own. He loves being in charge. He’s an incredibly bright boy.’
