Autism Awareness Month - GiveAway

April is Autism Awareness month, and today (April 3rd) is World Autism day.

My son is high-funtioning autistic, and I have a soft spot in my heard for all of those on the spectrum.

Today I'm going to give away a necklace so that you can show your support as well. 

Supporting Autism!

Not too long ago I read an article about how iPads and iPhones have been helping Autistic kids in a variety of ways.  My son is in 5th grade, and the organization apps alone would help him tremendously.  I know he's feeling overwhelmed and overstimulated as he is starting to change classrooms for subjects, and I'm nervous about the middle school years.  So I wondered how I could possibly get one for him.

Then a friend showed me this website that is doing fundraisers for INDIVIDUAL kids to allow them to get an iPad.  All that I need to do is a fundraiser selling $20 keychains or necklaces. 

I am getting one of each, and I'm taking the Key Chain to get engraved with my son's name on it as well!

That's only 58 more to go!  What one would you like?  Two ways to order.

* If you live close to me and would like me to deliver it to you, just email me at brainyfarmwife@gmail.com and let me know.  I will then respond and give you my address.  I can place the orders once I have received the money, and will send them in batches.

* If you would like it shipped to you directly, go to The Puzzling Piece's website  you will just need to put my name in the comments section when you check out in order for us to receive credit.  Teresa Sharp

Oh, and I'm hoping to get 120 (or more!) so I can donate an iPad to my son's school as well!


Thank you for your support!

A Season of Celebrating

September is my birthday month, and I'm planning a big party to combine sharing this with a housewarming at the new farm.

As I was thinking about it, I wanted to find a way to use the celebration time to share with others the many blessings my life has brought me.  After pondering a few ideas, I came up with this one.

I want to collect items to donate to my son's special education classroom to provide tools specifically for the increasing number of autistic spectrum students. 

There are two ways you can contribue. 

• Item Purchase - I have created an Amazon wish list and you can select something in particular that you would like to donate.  Purchase it and it will be shipped to me.  I will collect all items and bring them into the school.  (I will be sure to post pictures).  AUTISM WISH LIST
• Donation - You can make a donation of any amount.  This amount will be directly used to purchase items from the autism wish list.  DONATE HERE

Please note - I am not a non-profit organization and these donations will not be tax deductable. I am simply a mom wanting to find a way to give back and support the schools that have so well supported my son.

What is Autism?

Autism is what is known as an umbrella, or spectrum disorder. It covers a wide variety of symptoms and challenges. It is a neurological (brain) developmental disorder. Basically, it means that the individual’s brain is hardwired differently. I have often compared it to the old-fashioned telephone switchboards, where all the information comes in, but if the plugs aren’t in the right spot it’s not going to get where it needs to go.

Autism cannot be cured. However, therapies, treatments and nutritional diets can help with the way our mind processes and improve behavior.

Every child with autism is different. If anything, autistic individuals shatter the concept of ‘typical’ anything and break the mold of life. They view the world through a lens few can even fathom. In addition to seeing the world differently, autistic individuals can struggle with communication as they struggle with relating to others.

Symptoms often fall within the following categories (to be discussed in future posts)

• Social Situations
• Communication
• Repetitive Behaviors
• Sensory Processing
• Physical and Medical

There is so much that we don’t know about Autism. What we do know is that it’s far more prevelant than we ever knew. Whether it’s actually happening more, or we are simply recognizing and diagnosing it more is unknown.

Either way, with 1 in 110 children being diagnosed chances are that you know someone with Autism. How has Autism affected you?