There are four children in the Younger family.
Three have autism.
When their youngest, Aeryn, joined the family, mother Leigh said she and husband Jeremy noticed she was different to other children.
“She needed constant reassurance,” Mrs Younger said.
“She would be fixated on one particular thing, she was anxious and never maintained eye contact.”
Now four, Aeryn was diagnosed as having autism when she was two and a half.
Her brother Nathaniel, 6, and sister Imogen, 13, have also since been diagnosed with autism.
“It’s definitely challenging,” Mrs Younger said.
“Each one of them is at a different end of the spectrum, so it can be tough.”
She is hoping things will be a little easier, with the latest addition to the family – Hannah the autism therapy dog.
Through charity organisation Dogs for Kids with Disabilities, the family is looking forward to giving the siblings a greater level of independence and self-esteem by caring for Hannah.
It is hoped Hannah will help them with their psychological wellbeing.
It costs more than $25,000 to raise and train an autism therapy dog.
While DKD covers most of the cost, families are required to raise some of the money.
Aeryn’s family will host a fundraiser at the Sun Theatre in Yarraville on September 10 with a screening of The Secret Life of Pets.
Details: www.facebook.com/AerynsAutismDog
