Hello, my name is Tracey and I'm a mum of two gorgeous kids. One who happens to have Autism (ASD or Autistic Disorder... ).

Awesome for Autism has been created to fundraise and bring some awareness about Autism into our community.

A portion of the proceeds from the Awesome for Autism webstore will go to Autism Awareness Australia. Please show your support by purchasing one of our beautiful products via my online store - Stitch Baby + Kids.

What is Autism? Autism spectrum disorders (ASDs) are lifelong developmental disabilities characterised by marked difficulties in social interaction, impaired communication, restricted and repetitive interests and behaviours and sensory sensitivities. Source

Is there a cure? There is presently no known cure for ASD. However, early intervention, specialised education and structured support can help develop an individual’s skills. Source

What is the Autism Puzzle Piece? There is alot of debate about this - however, I choose to use it as a positive icon for Autism. Autism (and NOT the person) is the puzzle that we are trying to solve and to learn more about. 

Autism and Jovie

Jovie is currently 2 years and 8 months old, but we started seeing signs of her Autism as early as 13 months. (Maybe I even saw something earlier than that). She met her early milestones without any issues - crawling, sitting up, cruising and walking, feeding herself and making baby sounds but it never progressed from there. After her first birthday, she stopped feeding herself and we noticed she stopped flipping the pages of her books. 

Before her second birthday, we started to ask questions and ultimately received her diagnosis at the Children's Hospital at Westmead in September 2011. Autistic Disorder, plus a Developmental Delay (on par with a 5 month old baby).

The diagnosis itself has been great in that we have something to focus on now. There's still so much to learn about, but we're onto a great start!

Currently, Jovie sees her Occupational Therapist twice a week but we will cut down to once a week or once a fortnight to make our budget stretch. Jovie will see a Speech Therapist once she is ready (could be another year, maybe longer). 

She's been accepted to a special child care centre for kids with Autism which will help her get into a school setting.  Our aim is for her to be able to go to school without having to be so seperated from other kids. 

Apart from Autism and her Developmental Delays, Jovie is an amazingly happy and sweet little girl. She loves her brother and loves her food. She's healthy and loves to giggle. She loves Hi-5 and The Wiggles but her favourite is Yo Gabba Gabba. She walks and runs and does seem to love to 'dance' to music. She loves car rides and loves her books again. (She will spot a book in any huge room, no matter how many toys or other distractions around!). She's a great sleeper and sleeps in her own big girl bed, in her own room. 

We are supported as a family by our friends, new and old.