Hi! My name is Colleen and I work with a little 7 year old girl who has autism. She is just this bright light, I can't even begin to explain it to you. And each little step I see her take in life is like this amazing, joyous celebration ... She conquers one little thing and it's like I just won the lottery or something. She impresses me every day with what she's capable of.

My ex-boyfriend's nephew also has autism and knowing him was what prompted me to begin learning about it in order to find out how I could communicate with him. At the time, I had never even heard the word "autism" before. I only knew that he didn't speak but when I walked around the pool holding him and singing to him, he would burst out into spontaneous language when I'd never heard a peep from him before. I would always try to reach him and when I heard about the opportunity to take a class on autism I just jumped at it.

But that's a long story. I could talk forever about these kids, I really love them.

Prior to working with Anna, I was ... um, am ... an artist for 16 years and counting and I continue that on the side since the pay for working with a special needs child is pretty pitiful! Not complaining but wow!

Anna has infiltrated all of my life so you now see her influence coming out in my creative endeavors too. Like the "I Love Someone with Autism" name bracelets I make for AnnaRoseJewelry.com. (name sound familiar? ;)  ... and the fact that I give 20% of the profits from all the jewelry I make to  programs which promote understanding and interaction for children with autism. If I'm not working with her, I'm trying to figure out what game will help another child to connect with her or I'm drawing PECs for her or I'm looking up books which will help explain autism to other kids. Helping her and other children with autism has become a big piece of my mission in life.

I'm interested in developing a program where typically developing children interact with children with autism in a controlled environment ... a FUN, yet controlled environment ;)  I see in school so often that the other kids really do want to get to know the children with autism and once they're taught HOW, they do step up to the plate, it's beautiful. 

I really believe that if we seize the opportunities which their willingness and their open hearts allow, we can get far.

Much love,
Colleen

www.annarosejewelry.com : : mothers bracelets : : autism support jewelry