A Creative Way To Help (NAPSA)—It may seem puz- zling at first, but there’s an enjoyable way by which you and your children can help people with autism and otherdisabilities. What You Can Do At a FREE in-store “Make and Take”craft event for children and their families, customers at A.C. Moore Arts & Crafts stores can Act For Autism in three ways. They can comeinto the store to decorate a jigsaw puzzle, go online for instructions to create one at home (www.acmoore.com), or donate $1 to Easter Seals at checkout in any A.C. Moorestore. How To DoIt Supplies you will need: Blank puzzles (available at A.C. Moore stores and online) Waterproof black ink and assorted dye or chalk ink pads Alphabet stamps (clear or rubber) Assortment of rubber stamps Crayola Pip Squeaks markers Your imagination! Instructions: 1.Separate puzzle pieces. Note: Children should get assistance from an adult, as a craft knife may be needed to cut the pieces apart. 2.Ink each piece separately by rubbing on different color ink pads, let dry, and then reassemble the puzzle. 3. Use alphabet stamps to stamp a message over the entire puzzle or use a stamp of your favorite critter over the entire image. 4.Color in the stamp images with markers or use your imagination to draw your ownpicture or message. WhyTo DoIt Today, one in 110 children are diagnosed with autism, and there’s an increasing need for funding, services and support. There’s no known cause or cure Making your own puzzle can be fun and a great way to help people with autism. or single effective treatment, but people with autism, at any age, can makesignificant progress through personalized interventions and therapy, and can and do lead meaningful lives. Easter Seals is unique as the nation’s leading provider of services and support for those living with autism and is working to provide individualized treatment plans and comprehensive services. Getting the right support at the earliest stage in life can help a child gain the skills he or she needsto be successful. Experts agree that early diagnosis and early intervention are critical. The earlier people with autism get help, the more hope they havefor their futures. “We know that through early detection and individualized inter- vention, children with autism make significant progress,” ex- plained Dr. Patricia Wright, MPH, Ph.D., national director autism services, Easter Seals. If you think your child has autism, get a diagnosis, get help. Trust yourinstincts. Talk to your pediatrician. Find out about early intervention services. Educate yourself. Programs across the country provide a wide variety of ways to help individuals of all abilities. Where To Learn More Learn more at (800) 221- 6827, www.acmoore.com and www.actforautism.org.
