Sibling support in charity concert for autism

Many families go out of their way for each other, but not all siblings would put on a concert in support of their younger brother.

Which is exactly what Logan Park High School pupil Alexander (15) and his sister Sophie (18) Sun are doing.

The Connections Autism Fundraising Concert, which will take place next Monday in Dunedin, is a classical music concert dedicated to raising money and spreading awareness for autism.

Sophie said they were inspired by their autistic younger brother, Benjamin (13), who had recently started applied behaviour analysis (ABA) therapy.

The therapy was highly tailored to the individual and helped patients develop new ways of understanding the world, she said.

People with autism were commonly stereotyped and most people did not understand how it differed between individuals.

Money raised would go to Autism NZ, which focused on educational programmes, and Otago Children’s Autism Support, which provided funding for ABA therapy around the region.

The concert would feature musicians from around Dunedin, as well as piano performances from all three siblings.

It would also serve as a farewell to Sophie, who planned to move to the United States to study at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) a week after the concert, she said.

It will be held on August 2, from 7pm, at the Otago Boys’ High School auditorium.

wyatt.ryder@odt.co.nz