World Autism Awareness Day and Scrap n' Art Giveaway!!

UPDATE: The Giveaway Prize has grown. See what is included at the bottom of this post!

Today, April 2, is World Autism Awareness Day.  The month of April is Autism Awareness Month.

Please read through to the end of this blog post to find out how you can win the giveaway!

Autism is a complex neurological developmental disability that is lifelong.  Recent news shows that the rate of autism has increased yet again. It is currently at 1 in 88, nearly doubled the rate in 2007.  When the first of my 2 sons that are on the spectrum was diagnosed, the rate was 1 in 1,000. Work towards finding a cause and improved treatment still has a long way to go.

One of the best things that can be done right now, by everyone, is to increase awareness and improve acceptance of those on the spectrum. There is so much information to learn about autism, more than I can fit on one blog post. So I'm just going to share some information about the signs of autism, as well as some behavioral aspects of autism.

Signs of Autism
People with Autism Spectrum Disorders may have problems with social, emotional, and communication skills. They might repeat certain behaviors and might not want change in their daily activities. Many people with ASDs also have different ways of learning, paying attention, or reacting to things. ASDs begin during early childhood and last throughout a person’s life. 

A child or adult with an ASD might: 

• not play “pretend” games
• not point at objects to show interest
• not look at objects when another person points at them
• have a lack of appropriate eye gaze
• avoid eye contact and want to be alone
• have trouble relating to others or not have an interest in other people at all
• lack warm, joyful expressions
• have trouble understanding other people’s feelings or talking about their own feelings
• not share interest or enjoyment with others
• prefer not to be held or cuddled or might cuddle only when they want to
• appear to be unaware when other people talk to them but respond to other sounds
• lack response to their name
• be very interested in people, but not know how to talk, play, or relate to them
• repeat or echo words or phrases said to them, or repeat words or phrases in place of normal language (echolalia)
• have unusual prosody in verbal communication (little variation in pitch, odd intonation, irregular rhythm, unusual voice quality)
• have trouble expressing their needs using typical words or motions
• repeat actions over and over again
• have trouble adapting when a routine changes
• have unusual reactions to the way things smell, taste, look, feel, or sound
• lose skills they once had (for instance, stop saying words they had been using, regress in toileting skills)

To learn more, please visit First Signs

Repetitive Behaviors in Autism Spectrum Disorders
Although people with autism usually appear physically normal, odd repetitive motions may set them apart from other children and adults. These behaviors might be extreme and highly apparent or more subtle. Some children and older individuals repeatedly flap their arms or walk on their toes. Some suddenly freeze in a position. Some will hum, some like to rock in a chair, on a swing or on their feet.  These behaviors are referred to as 'self-stimming" behaviors.

Many children with autism need, and demand, absolute consistency in their environment. A slight change in routines, such as mealtimes, dressing, taking a bath, and going to school at a certain time or by the same route, can be extremely stressful. 

To learn more, please visit Asperger Syndrome.org 



By learning more about autism, and understanding the individuals on the spectrum, we can be more understanding and accepting.  We can open the world to the many talents and wonders of people diagnosed with autism. And when you do, your world will be instantly improved!

GIVEAWAY!!!!!

To help celebrate Autism Awareness Month, I am giving away a Full Year Premium Subscription to Scrap n' Art Magazine!!!! Drop by the Scrap n' Art Facebook page too!. That's 12 months of  tremendous creative content, ideas, tutorials, reviews and more!! You can also find Scrap n' Art on Facebook here.

That's a $24 value!!  All you have to do is leave a comment (or comments - see below) on this blog post to be entered in the drawing to win!  You can have up to 3 chances to win, here's how:

1. Leave a comment on this post.
2. Become a follower of my blog (see the right side panel) and leave a comment on this post to let me know you are a follower.
3. "Like" Scrappycath Creations on Facebook, then leave me a comment here on this blog post that you have done so.

Easy-peasy - you have up to 3 chances to win. Just leave an individual comment on this blog post for each item that you have done to get each of your 3 chances to win.  You have until midnight Monday April 9 (eastern time) to leave your comments here.  I will announce the winner on Tuesday April 10, so be sure to come back and check to see if you won!

Thank you and Good Luck!!!!

UPDATE: The prize has just grown!  The wonderful people at May Arts Ribbon have joined up with me. They are offering the winner 3 spools of ribbon (winners choice)!!!   You can see all their beautiful products at their website here.  
Krisi's Kreations has also joined!  Krisi has added a $10 gift certificate to her shop!
Don't miss this chance to win!!  Enter now!!