Monday, March 31, 2008

April - Autism Awareness Month

April is Autism Awareness month and it is very important to me and I would like to share my story with you. I have a 5 yr old son, Christopher who is Autistic. He has AS (Aspergers Syndrome)

Asperger's Syndrome is a neurological disorder that, like others on the spectrum, is marked by difficulties in communication and social interaction. The set of characteristics easily identified with the condition was first identified by Austrian pediatrician Hans Asperger. Children with Asperger's Syndrome find it difficult to identify and express their feelings, just like those with classic autism. They find it challenging, even impossible, to connect with others, often don't hold eye contact and have trouble reading other people's faces and gestures. Many kids flap their hands, a behavior often associated with classic autism; speak without much emotion (or have otherwise unusual speech patterns); need to follow schedules rigidly or else the world feels out of control, and are intensely, even obsessively, interested in one specific subject, so much that they become veritable experts in that field. They also exhibit sensitivities to various stimuli, from sounds to clothing to food items.


He is a darling boy and just a joy to have around. But it has been a long road for us. At 10 months old, I noticed some of his behaviors were out of the ordinary, I didnt have that much experience, he was my second child. But I did take some psychology classes in college and some things he was doing reminded me of OCD (obsessive compulsive disorder). I kinda brushed it off and thought hey my son is SO smart. Well, things progressed and got worse. After several trips to the pediatrician and visits to the childrens hospital I finally got a diagnosis of Autism Spectrum. Later, it was narrowed down to Aspergers. Now with aspergers, the child does not have speech problems, instead it is almost the opposite. In Christophers kindergarten class the majority of the students were at an average of 20% of where they need to be for the end of the year... at that time, Christopher was at 70%. WOW...woo hoo... I know. But it kind of hurt him. He has major social problems and is unable to participate in group activities. Among other things...anyway, the school wouldnt help me because they said "his disability does not interfere with his ability to learn"... well of course not, he has no academic problems... just social. After lots of meetings and constant fighting with school, I finally was given a 504. I wanted and IEP but they wouldnt give it to me. A 504 is basically a educational plan that allows for some of his behaviors to be accepted due to his autism. Christopher takes the special ed bus to and from school. He is in regular ed right now but if he has a meltdown or a situation he is able to go into the special ed room and hang out there until he is calmed. There is SO much to say and I just dont have the words to express how important being aware of this disability is. I believe the teachers need to be more educated on the matter in order to help our children. These kids go through so much and the prevalence of autism had risen to 1 in every 150 American children, and almost 1 in 94 boys.

Know the Signs: Early Identification Can Change Lives
Autism is treatable. Children do not "outgrow" autism, but studies show that early diagnosis and intervention lead to significantly improved outcomes.

Here are some signs to look for in the children in your life:
-Lack of or delay in spoken language
-Repetitive use of language and/or motor mannerisms e.g.,handflapping,wirling objects)
-Little or no eye contact
-Lack of interest in peer relationships
-Lack of spontaneous or make-believe play
-Persistent fixation on parts of objects

Autism Speaks
Learning Tools
PECS
Picture Recipes

Christopher


Please visit this website for a free kit!!
Tammy Albright of the digi scrap community has a granddaughter with autism. She has managed to get several designers together to make one big huge beautiful kit. It is yours free with a small donation to the walk for autism. Remember you are not buying the kit but donating money to help a child in need :)
Scrap For Autism

New Releases & a FREEBIE!!

Good Morning... I am posting this a day early because I will be busy tomorrow and I wont have time. But I have a new kit for you and my ct worked hard to bring you a pack of 10 quick pages you can purchase separately. Also I have an April CU grab bag and of course if you scroll down the freebie... it is a commercial use freebie too :) Just a reminder, that all new releases are 25% off the first week at Bits2Kits

Be Bold




CU Grab Bag


and the freebie...
a pack of 5 watercolor stickers commercial use ok


Download Here

Friday, March 21, 2008

New Releases,Freebies,Easter,Egg Hunts...etc...

Good morning!! WOW there is ALOT going on this weekend. I dont know where to start...lol. Guess I will start with the new releases. I released my new commercial use line today, you can find all my products at Deco-Pages and Bits2Kits. **Secret**everything at B2K is on sale for 25% off for the first week so hop on over there and check out what goodies I have. Here are my previews for the CU products:)





New Kits - I have 2 new kits for you Bellisima and Olde Time... I had SO much fun making these kits, oh and a pack of 5 QP's







We are having an Egg Hunt over at B2K... with lots of freebies (Im also offering a freebie kit) and also it would be great if you check out the Grab an Egg bags they are only $1 each






I feel like I am missing something... dang I should have written all this down...lol. I hope that is all I had to announce today if not, I will remember and be back later on. Hope you all have a wonderful Easter!!

Happy Scrapping,
Becky

Saturday, March 8, 2008

Freebie & Challenge

Good Afternoon... the kids and I are having a quiet afternoon at home, doing baths, cleaning the house, and playing video games... kids are all being good. I wanted to let you know that I am hosting a scraplift challenge both at B2K and DecoPages... it is the same challenge and prize for both forums....I would love for you to come by and participate in my challenge. I have a wonderful freebie for you as a posting prize... its my new kit called Sweet Romance :)

Thursday, March 6, 2008

Freebie!!

Good afternoon... my dear friend and ct, Chris from Heavenly Scraps was kind enough to use her templates and make me a couple quick pages to offer you all as a freebie. She used my new kit called Beginnings... again it is 25% off at B2K for the first week only... so swing by and check it out. Here are her 2 lo's she did using the qp's :)





Download Here

Wednesday, March 5, 2008

New Release - Beginnings

I finally have a new release.... it is called Beginnings. If you did the trash to treasure hunt you might have purchased my grab bag for 1$ at B2K... if so, then you already have this kit. If not, then you can get it at B2k on sale 25% off for the first week... then it will go to regular price at B2K and Deco-Pages. Hope you enjoy!!

Tuesday, March 4, 2008

Been Busy

Personally... I have been going through ALOT... too much to type it all out...lol. Designing...well, i am taking it a bit slower these days. I am working on 2 new kits at the moment... hopefully they will be finished up by the weekend. And I will also offer a freebie this weekend.

I have been completing all my challenges for the ADSR ... I am having a blast!! Here are my LO's so far :)

Challenge 4 - "Spill it - get personal"



Bonus Challenge - "Daily Routine"



Challenge 3 - "About Me"



Challenge 2 - "Collab Layout"



Challenge 1 - "Favorites...color,element,and who to scrap"