Hi, friends! We're over halfway there! Our family can't tell you enough how much we appreciate your support. The thought of being able to use this technology to its fullest with our son is so exciting! As we go along with this fundraiser we thought it would be good to give you all a little more information about Bug...

Bug started Early Intervention at 20 months old. We had become concerned do to a severe regression in speech patterns as well as other skills. Shortly after his second birthday, Bug was diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder. We spent the next year in constant therapy through Early Internevtion that covered everything from speech to motor skills to life skills. When Bug was three his diagnosis was finalized as High Functioning Autism/Asperger Syndrome. The doctors felt it necessary to use both terms in his diagnosis and along with that he was also diagnosed with Sensory Processing Disorder. From the ages of three through four, Bug attended an Early Childhood Program for Special Needs Children where he received daily therapy in various areas of need. It was when he was five, and old enough for kindergarten, that we decided to homeschool. We homeschooled for that entire kindergarten year, but couldn't stop wondering if maybe we were missing something so when first grade arrived we enrolled him in regular, public school.

We went into it with an open mind, fully prepared to do whatever it took to make his experience successful. However, after a few months it became clear that the sensory overload of regular school was just too much for Bug to handle. He experienced some very serious regression and it became a great concern to everyone involved. His anxiety levels hit an all-time high and he completely shut down on us. It was then that we decided to pull him out of regular school and head back into homeschooling, which is what we have been doing ever since. We head up to the public school twice a week for social skills therapy and that is about all Bug can handle in that environment.

It's been a long, stressful road. Autism is something we are learning more and more about every day, but what we know for sure is this - our son is wonderful. He is a gift and a blessing and we want nothing more than the best for him.

Your generous donations are helping us to help him in a BIG way. As a very visual learner, the iPad will serve as an essential tool in Bug's every day life - from daily schedules to social stories to visuals for his education, the iPad is going to make a huge difference for him.

We seriously can't thank you enough.

iPads are amazing devices offering a lot of potential for kids with Autism. Our son is an amazing kid with Autism.

The hope for our family is to raise enough money to buy an iPad for Bug as well as a good case so that we won't have to worry about bumps.

If you can help us out in any way we would be so grateful.

*We use the name Bug to protect his online privacy as he is only 7 years-old.