Easter Seals and Autism

I'm fortunate that our contact with National Easter Seals, Pam Spaeth, happens to be a telecommuter who lives right here in Ada, home to Alticor, Amway, Access and Quixtar. Pam and I frequently get together to discuss strategies for strengthening our support of Easter Seals and to brainstorm how we can continue to communicate to our employees and our wonderful IBOs about Easter Seals and the services they provide.

Lately, we've been spending a great deal of time discussing autism. It seems has if autism is getting a lot of notice on magazine covers, in the news, at school, at the doctor's office, with government and education officials and health care providers, at daycare centers and more.

Did you know that every 20 minutes a new case of autism is diagnosed?

What exactly is autism? According to the Centers for Disease Control "Autism spectrum disorders are a group of developmental disabilities defined by significant impairments in social interaction and communication and the presence of unusual behaviors and interests." An interesting definition but what does that mean in real life terms?

It may mean delayed language skills or the inability to distinguish a parent from any other person. It may mean your child isn't interested in people at all. They might not make eye contact and they may prefer to be alone. A child with autism may be extremely sensitive to stimulation, touch, sounds, smells. They might not want to be held or cuddled. A change in lighting or a strange noise may lead to a meltdown.

Autism doesn't just impact the child it impacts the parents and siblings and other family members. Attending to the needs of a child with disabilities often takes extra time and attention. It takes love and patience and understanding and perseverance. I've read many a story written by parents or siblings of children with autism that talk about the stress on the family. Many times family members feel alone and isolated. But not a single one would give up that beautiful child, that funny brother or sister, that special grandchild or niece.

Easter Seals has been providing hope for children with autism and their families for years. As a matter of fact, Easter Seals is the leading provider of services and support for children with autism and their families. Easter Seals understands that getting the right support at the earliest stages of life can help the child gain the skills he or she needs to be successful.

And successful they can be. Maurice Snell, Easter Seals adult representative for 2007 was diagnosed with autism as a child. When he was seven he began attending an Easter Seals Therapuetic Day School where he received not only an education, but also speech, language and communication therapy, occupational therapy, social work services, health-related services, recreational services, and more. Today, at 23, Maurice is a college graduate with a job. His dream was to one day work for Easter Seals.That dream came true when he was hired to be a classroom aide and mentor at his former school.

Easter Seals also provides support for the families of children and adults with autism. Sometimes families need a break or need to learn new skills in order to make life easier. Easter Seals provides respite care, education, networking, and much more.

Earlier this year Quixtar decided to focus the Artistry Beauty Begins with Heart program on Easter Seals services for children with autism. Beauty Begins with Heart raises funds through the sale of Artistry Essential Hand Treatment, Artistry Perfect Moisture Lip Compact, and various logo items. Since Beauty Begins with Heart was launched two years ago, Artistry has donated nearly $200,000 to Easter Seals. All future donations will provide support for Easter Seals autism programs.

Click here to learn more about how Easter Seals helps children and families impacted by autism. And remember, until there's a cure, there's Easter Seals.

 Maurice Snell, Easter Seals 2007 adult representative