(NAPSA)—If you enjoy crafting, there’s a fun way to help kids with autism and otherdisabilities. For three years, A.C. Moore Arts & Crafts, Inc. has teamed up with Easter Seals to raise awareness and funds for kids with autism and otherdisabilities. There are a couple of things you can do. Customers at any A.C. Moore store can donate $1 to Easter Seals at checkout or they can purchase a T-shirt and decorate it for free at a special crafting event. And you can always say thank you for supporting Easter Seals when you shop at A.C. Moore year-round. Your creativity will help support Easter Seals and its Make the First Five Count initiative, which raises awareness and funds for young children with autism and other disabilities. Funds raised support Easer Seals and autism services in the same communities the stores are based in, giving thousands of children and adults with autism accessto critical services. There’s no known causeor single effective treatment, but people with autism at any age can make significant progress and lead meaningful lives. Getting the right support at the earliest stage in life can help a child gain the skills he or she needs to be successful. Detecting developmental By decorating a T-shirt, you can help makethefirst five years of life count for kids with autism. delays like autism duringthefirst five years of a child’s life can really makea difference. Today, one in 88 children is diagnosed with autism and there’s an increasing need for funding, services and support. A new case of autism is diagnosed every 20 minutes. “We know that through early detection and individualized inter- vention, children with autism and other disabilities make significant progress,” explains Dr. Patricia Wright, MPH, Ph.D., national director autism services, Easter Seals. A. C. Moore’s crafts bring families together for fun through creativity. And A.C. Moore knows how important it is to give all kids the best start in life. For more information, visit www.MaketheFirstFive Count.org.
