…… AUTISM AWARENESS ……

Today I am “happi” to be able to promote a good cause!!

These prints are 5×7 and can be safely downloaded here:

{CLICK HERE FOR “APRIL AWARENESS” PRINT}

{CLICK HERE FOR “AUTISM SPEAKS” PRINT}

{CLICK HERE FOR “GO BLUE” PRINT}

{CLICK HERE FOR “LIGHT IT UP” PRINT}

The day my BFF girlfriend Amy’s son was diagnosed with Autism over 15 years ago was the day I became  really “aware” of autism for the first time. Since that time I have seen many loved ones deal with autism in their family and I have been inspired and educated by many of them as to the joys, sorrows, and wonders that autism can encompass. 

I have friends, cousins, and my dear sweet niece who just recently received the diagnosis on her son with autism. This hits close to home for me. Two of the young women I worked with in my church group 10+ years ago now each have an autistic daughter. I still follow their lives a bit and have seen what amazing moms they have become and I can also see the strength they have received through coping with autism in their own families. Today this is what Kristen, posted about her sweet daughter Saylee. I thought she expressed herself so well. This is real and heartfelt. I asked her if I could share this on my blog and she gave me permission. {On a side note, I have watched Kristen grow up more or less, and I couldn’t be more “happi” to see what an amazing mom and person she is. She sews her kids clothes and her darling Saylee ALWAYS always wears the cutest dresses!}

Here are Kristens words…

[A U T I S M A W A R E N E S S D A Y. Support your friends/family of autism by wearing blue today. Autism is a big part of my families life, it doesn't define Saylee, its just a part of who she is. It is never going away, we don't try to hide it or justify her behavior to anyone. Our family motto is "different, not less." We have an amazing community of support from our family, friends, neighbors and ward members who love Saylee. Our world is absent of judgmental thoughts and negativity, she cannot thrive if she is flooded with insecurity about herself. No one can. We love her no matter what. She is our lil' lady and im thankful to have been chosen as her mama! If you wear blue today, please tag me...I'd love to see it! #differentnotless #autismawareness]

kristen has an Etsy shop where she sells those CUTE dresses Saylee wears!

You can check it out

HERE {honkonline}

Today  {4/02/13}was autism awareness day. All were encouraged to wear BLUE. 

Yes, I wore my blue.

I also spent part of my day creating some graphic designs to help spread autism awareness. 

I am really excited to share these and hope my readers and those visiting my site will use these to help bring autism awareness. 

These are pass out cards. print on 8.5×11, cut, and hand out :):)

{CLICK HERE FOR “PASS OUT CARDS” PRINT}

Here is a 8.5×11 Poster to place prominently somewhere for April Awareness :):)

{CLICK HERE FOR AUTISM AWARENESS POSTER}

One of the most important things we can do to help with the autism cause is 

U N D E R S T A N D I N G.

Many with autism are so misunderstood for their behaviors. This can be difficult for the parents of autistic children. Nobody truly knows what another is experiencing. We must show COMPASSION, and LOVE to those around us. Its just the right thing to do!

 I would welcome any who would like to guest post on my blog regarding autism awareness. Please contact me about this if you would like to share something!

Yes,

“April is Autism Awareness Month”  

Let’s spread the word.

…and keep it going throughout the year!!

Enjoy!

Jillene

The post Sharing something wonderful for Autism Awareness! appeared first on inkhappi.

…… April is national AUTISM AWARENESS month ……

……April 2nd is Autism Awareness day……

Today {4/2/14} I am “happi” to be able to promote a good cause: Autism Awareness Month!

On April 2, 2013 I did a post on Autism Awareness Month. {see it here} And I probably will do it again a year from today. That’s because this is a cause very dear to my heart. 

The day my BFF girlfriend Amy’s son was diagnosed with Autism over 16 years ago was the day I became  really “aware” of autism for the first time. Since that time I have seen many loved ones deal with autism in their family and I have been inspired and educated by many of them as to the joys, sorrows, and wonders that autism can encompass. 

Many of my friends, cousins, and people I’ve worked with have autistic children.  My dear sweet niece has had two sons diagnosed within the last 18 months. This hits close to home for me.  I have learned much from them watching them love these children and go beyond normal parenting ensuring that these children get the proper therapies and care. 

The numbers of Autism are growing rapidly. The latest statistics are from 2010 as it takes 2-3 years to get full diagnostics. The latest report states that:

About 1 in 68 children has been identified with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) according to estimates from CDC’s Autism and Developmental Disabilities Monitoring (ADDM) Network.

ASD is almost 5 times more common among boys (1 in 42) than among girls (1 in 189).

You can find more data and statistics here:

One of the best things we can do for the cause is to first become informed, and then develop an understanding of Autism and what families dealing with this condition experience. You can start by getting these questions answered:

What is autism?

What are some common signs of autism?

How is autism diagnosed?

What causes autism?

What role does inheritance play?

Do symptoms of autism change over time?

How is autism treated?

What research is being done?

For great answers to these questions please see the Fact Sheet from the National Institute of Neurological Disorders.

There is something we can all do to support this cause. April would be a great month to help increase Autism Awareness and support Autism Awareness Month! Some of the ways we can show our support are:

Educate ourselves and others

Donate time and or money

Support families/friends with autism needs

Sharing your knowledge and these prints etc…

Have understanding towards those whose behaviors may be different than yours

Show compassion to all

Here is a new print I did as a reminder and to educate others. :)

8.5×11 poster

{CLICK HERE FOR “YOU CAN HELP” PRINT}

The following are 5×7 posters or pass along cards:

{CLICK HERE FOR “APRIL AWARENESS” PRINT}

{CLICK HERE FOR “AUTISM SPEAKS” PRINT}

{CLICK HERE FOR “GO BLUE” PRINT}

{CLICK HERE FOR “LIGHT IT UP” PRINT}

Today, being  Autism Awareness Day,  all were encouraged to wear BLUE. 

Yes, I’m wearing my blue.

I’m also sharing these graphic designs to help spread autism awareness. 

I am really excited to share these and hope my readers and those visiting my site will use these to help bring autism awareness. 

 These are pass out cards. print on 8.5×11, cut, and hand out :):)

{CLICK HERE FOR “PASS OUT CARDS” PRINT}

Here is a 8.5×11 Poster to place prominently somewhere for April Autism Awareness Month :):)

{CLICK HERE FOR AUTISM AWARENESS POSTER}

One of the most important things we can do to help with the autism cause is 

U N D E R S T A N D I N G.

Many with autism are so misunderstood for their behaviors. This can be difficult for the parents of autistic children. Nobody truly knows what another is experiencing. We must show COMPASSION, and LOVE to those around us. Its just the right thing to do!

 I would welcome any who would like to guest post on my blog regarding autism awareness. Please contact me about this if you would like to share something!

Yes,

“April is Autism Awareness Month”  

Let’s spread the word.

…and keep it going throughout the year!!

Enjoy!

Jillene

The post Autism Awareness Month… Supporting a great cause! appeared first on inkhappi.

We are well into April and I am Happy to see that so many people are enjoying inkhappi’s autism prints and posts I have shared for autism support the last couple of years. Today I want to share Five things we can personally do to support autism! I am going to get a bit passionate in this post because I love several “someones” with autism and their families too!

First of all I want to introduce you to one of my “most favorite people” EVER!!

This is Jake. I have known Jake since the day he was born to my BFF Amy. He recently turned 21, he’s 6′ tall and he has autism. Jake always shares that captivating smile you can see in the photo. He loves dinosaurs and can tell you any and all dinosaur facts. He has an amazing way with computers and can sense and fix a problem with no training. Jake bowls regularly and knows how to bowl a perfect 300! He loves to golf, play baseball, and attend special olympic events. He enjoys taking his dog Oden for walks with his mother. He loves to go camping and on scouting/mountain men adventures with his Dad. He has always been a friend to everyone at school. He gives the best hugs and compliments! He tells funny jokes and stories. He LOVES Santa Claus and will sit on his lap even at 20 years old! (so awesome) He’s a bit picky about the food he eats but he’s fun to share a meal with. I could go on, and on. There are so so many amazing Jake stories. My life has been uplifted knowing him!

Raising a child with autism is challenging but oh such a blessing. Jake has an incredible family and recieves much support. They do all they can to see that his needs are met. They have sacrificed much in his behalf. They have also received so much joy from Jakes sweet nature.

But there are challenges. Many of them! One of the difficult things that Jake and his family endures is the lack of knowledge and understanding that some show towards autistic individuals. You see, Jake is a fine intelligent young man, yet his mind works differently than the average person. He is bright in many areas yet he behaves like a young child and will act out with concern in situations that are uncomfortable for him. For example, he loves Disneyland but standing in line with a noisy crowd is something he can’t endure. Disney allows individuals such as Jake to skip the long lines. What is sad is the way some people react to this. His family has recieved unkind looks and comments to this and other situations that Jake may have a hard time with, such as when he misbehaves or does things that may annoy some people. It’s important to be tolerant in these situations. We never quite know the battle some may be faced with.

Jake understands so much we may not comprehend, yet he has a more difficult time with reality. His childlike nature is endearing to those who love him, but those who don’t know him well may have a hard time understanding it. This sometimes results in Jake not being invited to parties or outings or being fully included in a group. Those who have gotten to know him love to be around him but he is often still left out. This is very common with autism.

Many relate autism to very young children. But those children grow up, yet their minds don’t necessarily grow up with their bodies. Since Jake recently turned 21 his family is faced with a new set of challenges. Jake will no longer be allowed in the public schools, working programs, and loses some benefits. His mom recently expressed to me concern over this and how she can allow him into a society that doesn’t always cater to his individual needs. There is also concern of him being mistreated. He still needs supervision from someone who is caring and understanding.

“If we can’t see a child with autism as capable, interesting and valuable, no amount of education or therapy we layer on top is going to matter.” Ellen Notbohm

Jakes mother recently gave me this quote and expressed the following concerns:

 

This is a good quote I have been thinking about since my son is done with the jobs program in may. “If we can’t see a child with autism as capable, interesting and valuable, no amount of education or therapy we layer on top is going to matter.” (Ellen Notbohm). I’ve been pondering that as he will leave the school district and literally we will be on our own. I see an uphill battle yet again trying to find somewhere that would accept him and see what he is good at and what he could bring to a work place if they were willing to take a chance and help him along. As adults with autism there are not a lot of supports, they even canceled his dental after turning 21. It’s also frightening to think it’s my sole responsibility to find him a place and a purpose while keeping him productive and happy so that he does not lose social or academic skills.  I think everyone associates autism with little kids, and those kids grow up and still like the things they did when they were five and still need the therapy and support they had when they were five and still have the same risks and delays as they did when they were five but they are in a grown man body and society is not always as accepting of that. The 6ft tall autistic man can make people feel uneasy. But I have found certain champions in society who see him and acknowledge his worth and show him kindness and take a chance by talking with him or getting to know us. These lights every so often give me hope all will be well more than the rudeness of others that breaks me on occasion.

This is real emotion from one of the best mothers I know. She has always been heavily involved in his school, therapy and many activities that have been available for him. Most of that will be coming to an end but she’d still like to see him engaged in a good productive quality of life. It opened my eyes once again to the challenges she is faced with. Most parents watch their children go out on their own into the world when they become adults. She will be responsible for Jake even at an adult age.

Autism support is needed. Autism is real. Autism is rapidly increasing. Most likely you know someone with autism or encounter them. Here are five things we can do to accept and support individuals and families dealing with autism. Remember that autism is a lifelong challenge that can require full attention.

1. Be informed. Every individual is different but do some research and try to better understand autism. A bit of knowledge will help a lot in being able to better understand and accept. Share this information with others! A few wonderful resources are:

Autism Speaks

Autism Society

Adults With Autism

2. Be tolerant of those who behave differently than you are accustomed to. We never quite know the battle some may be faced with. Keep an open mind and show kindness to those dealing with autism. If you notice abuse or mistreatment, speak up and help.

3. Invite/Include them to participate in parties, activities, or sporting events.

4. Talk to the parents about their child. Show an interest in them and what their strengths are. Although, don’t offer advice on ways to care for their child. They know their child best, and what works for one may not work for another.

5. Offer support. Offer some supervision to relieve parents every so often. If you have the time and means to offer older autistic individuals to participate in some kind of work, which could even be washing a car every so often, or helping with errands at home or in an office.

I have done all of these things myself and I know its very doable. I’ve also made new friends and received to much joy and “happi” in my life due to this.

Here is a print to share or help bring awareness to some simple things we can all do to show autism support:

Download HERE

Visit my other autism posts and pick up posters and hand out cards for autism support here: (click on photos)

 OR here:

Thanks for taking the time to show your autism support!

The post Autism Support: Five things anyone can do to help! appeared first on inkhappi.

…… AUTISM AWARENESS …… Today I am “happi” to be able to promote a good cause!! These prints are 5×7 and can be safely downloaded here: {CLICK HERE FOR “APRIL AWARENESS” PRINT} {CLICK HERE FOR “AUTISM SPEAKS” PRINT} {CLICK HERE FOR “GO BLUE” PRINT} {CLICK HERE FOR “LIGHT IT UP” PRINT} The day my BFF girlfriend Amy’s son was diagnosed with Autism over 15 years

The post Sharing something wonderful for Autism Awareness! appeared first on inkhappi.

…… April is national AUTISM AWARENESS month …… ……April 2nd is Autism Awareness day…… Today {4/2/14} I am “happi” to be able to promote a good cause: Autism Awareness Month! On April 2, 2013 I did a post on Autism Awareness Month. {see it here} And I probably will do it again a year from today. That’s because this is a cause very dear to my

The post Autism Awareness Month… Supporting a great cause! appeared first on inkhappi.