Help CheckAdvantage Support Autism Awareness

autism awareness productsSeveral months ago, our lead designer created a set of checks devoted to autism awareness.

We offer a variety of inspirational checks and some of them are focused on specific causes. Still - it came as somewhat of a surprise when our Autism Awareness Checks and related products started to move up the list of the most-popular selections - especially when you consider the fact that we offer around 2,000 different designs!

This month, CheckAdvantage is making its first donation to Autism Speaks. Each year from now on, we'll give a portion of sales from our autism designs to support research and awareness.

However - the truth is - it wasn't the sales that prompted us to make that decision. It was a mother named Diane who emailed us after ordering the design. Here's some of what she had to say:

"I have a son with Asperger's Syndrome, which is on the Autism spectrum.  Your Autism checks really caught my eye..I just LOVED them...I just wish that you would donate some of the proceeds from these checks to an Autism Awareness group. It is a shame that you would use this cause to sell checks but not give back to the people who could use every penny they can get to raise awareness for this cause."

She was right. Even though we know that simply offering the checks provides a way for people to spread awareness and start conversations - that's not enough.

Diane's heartfelt note to CheckAdvantage convinced us of that. She went on to explain the trials and triumphs of raising a child who is autistic.

"I consider myself blessed to have been given this gift...my son is now 19...is attending college and doing things that seemed impossible when he was diagnosed at 3 years old but...I can tell you none of it came without a fight."

"It is so hard to find services and the proper sources needed to help our children succeed..my son and I were very VERY lucky to have gotten exactly what we needed in order for him to do the very best he could but I know for a fact other families aren't so lucky."

Diane asked that we consider donating to an autism-related cause without raising the price of those products. Now when you choose to order Autism Awareness Checks, Autism Awareness Address Labels or an Autism Awareness Checkbook Cover, not only will you recieve a tool to help you start conversations, you'll also be supporting a worthy cause.

Autism is not a disease. It's called a developmental disorder, but some would even question if that's the right way to describe it. The spectrum is wide and complex. There are those considered to be high-functioning as well as those for whom autism can be quite debilitating.

Many people who are described as autistic have amazing talents that truly are gifts to the rest of us. It's just that they see the world differently than what we might call "normal." But a world in which everything is normal would be a terribly dull place to live.

Families who are dealing with autism need three things:

1. Answers

2. Support

3. Acceptance

Perhaps the hardest thing about living with a child's autism diagnosis is trying to understand why it happened. While many theories exist, doctors and researchers have been unable to determine what causes the disorder. That's frustrating.

Maybe it's not a cure that's needed as much as an explanation.

As Diane mentioned, support for families raising autistic children is also a tremendous need. As families begin to understand how to care for those diagnosed with autism, it's important to get resources and education into their hands.

Autism touches almost all of us - at least indirectly. Just about everyone has a friend or family member who is taking on what can be an often overwhelming challenge. The rest of us are also slowly learning how to interact with autistic people and accept them as unique human beings.

View the videos below for personal stories from families and children living with autism. The first is a heartfelt video from the brother of an autistic young man.

The second is a short film from an animator on the show Robot Chicken. In it, a 14-year-old boy with autism explains what life is like for him.

What It's Like to Have a Brother with Autism

My Name is David