The month of April is Autism Awareness month.  According to Autismspeaks.org:

• Autism now affects 1 in 88 children and 1 in 54 boys

• Autism prevalence figures are growing

• Autism is the fastest-growing serious developmental disability in the U.S.

• Autism costs a family $60,000 a year on average

• Autism receives less than 5% of the research funding of many less prevalent childhood diseases

• Boys are nearly five times more likely than girls to have autism

• There is no medical detection or cure for autism

 

As a mom of 2 kiddos with autism, I would like to acknowledge those families and children that struggle with Autism and fitting into society.  This simple project is a great way to start a conversation with kids about differently-abled children and acceptance.  For more information about Autism, signs of early detection, and the importance of early intervention, check out Autismspeaks.org.

​

What you'll need:

• Puzzle Pieces

• Craft Paint: White/Blue/Green/Yellow/Orange/Red/Purple

• Glue stick

• Scissors

• Construction paper to mount your picture – any color

• Black Marker

• String or ribbon for hanging and tape

• Kidfunideas Autism Rainbow printout

 

How to make it:

1. Print out the Kidfunideas Autism Rainbow printout and trim along the black border.  With a glue stick, mount your paper on some card stock in any color that you like. 

2. If you cannot find blank puzzle pieces at the craft store, don’t worry.  Most families have one or two puzzles with a few missing pieces.  This is a great chance to use them up.  Simply turn them over and paint the backside of the puzzle pieces you are going to use with the white paint and let dry.

3. Next, examine your pieces, and choose pieces to be each of the letters that spell Autism.  Once you have chosen your pieces, lay them out on the paper to see that they fit. 

4. Painting the pieces: 

A: red

U: green

T: yellow

I: orange

S: red

M: purple

​

Tip:  Try to use a bright version of the color so that when they are dry, the marker letters will show up.  For example, choose a lighter lavender purple instead of a darker purple.

1. Set your letters aside to dry fully.  Once your letters are dry use your black marker to write the letters spelling Autism on each of the letters. 

2. Glue your letters onto the paper below the saying,  following the arch of the wording with a glue stick or white glue.  Set aside to dry

3. To hang your picture, attach a string or piece of ribbon to the back with tape.

4. Hang your picture in a window or on the wall.