1 in 150 children have autism according to the statistics presented. Children with autism may struggle with social interaction, verbal communication, and displaying appropriate behavior. Art therapy is presented as a potential treatment that uses visual art making and creativity to improve children's overall condition. It provides children with a fun and productive activity that can help strengthen their social skills and expression of emotions while improving other skills. Personal stories are shared of how art brought joy and helped the development of the author's brother who had autism.

3. 1 out of 150 children have autism Each day 50 families will learn their child has been diagnosed with autism The rate is rising every year

4. Children With Autism May Struggle With… Social interaction

5. Verbal Communication Displaying Appropriate Behavior

6. Awareness of Environment and Others Oversensitivity to Sights and Sounds

7. The strains of raising a child with a disability can be tremendously overwhelming They need an answer to their prayers … anything to help their child ease through the process

8. Art Therapy… Uses visual art making and creativity to improve child’s overall condition Includes teaching from an accredited art therapist, eager and able to help your child Is fun for the kids and a positive experience

9. How Does This Treatment Help? Gives child a productive leisure activity Channels imagination and abstract thinking skills to artwork Provides a creative outlet Therapist and child discuss art and process while strengthening social skills Is a safe and effective way to express emotions Improves visual spatial deficits

10. You will see the smiles Let your children enjoy their development Have them do what makes them happy…regardless of their condition

11. My Brother’s Early Work

12. Michael’s artwork Drawing is his Passion

13. It ALWAYS made him SMILE And that gave us HOPE

14. Prepared him to cross troubled waters But he knows that it has made him stronger Autism is my brother’s scarlet letter

15. Works Cited “Art is Our First Language.” Arttherapyforchildren.com. Children’s Corner. 2010. Web. 11 Nov. 2010. Brainwrap. “KARMA HAPPENS: Jennifer Petkov arraigned for felonious assault!!” Dailykos.com. Daily KOS. 17 Oct. 2010. Web. 24 Nov. 2010. “Difference Between Autism and Aspergers.” Aspergerssysmptoms.net. Asperger Symptoms. 15 Dec. 2009. Web. 24 Nov. 2010. “Flying is a real headache for many travelers.” News.com.au. News Limited. Aug. 2008. Web. 8 Nov. 2010. Forrester, Julie. “Autism Into Art: Siobhan Forrester.” Photograph. The Storque. Etsy Inc. 13 Dec. 2007. Web. 10 Nov. 2010. “Kids’ Quest: Autism.” Cdc.gov. Center for Disease Control and Prevention. 2010. Web. 24 Nov. 2010. Lamoureax, Karen. “The Skill of Autism.” Keepingpacewithkids.com. Keeping Pace With Kids. 23 Mar. 2010. Web. 8 Nov. 2010. Martin, Nicole. “Art Therapy and Autism.” Arttherapyandautism.com. Art Therapy and Autism. 2007. Web. 8 Nov. 2010. Miller, Bradley. “Healthcare Reform: Are Insurance Companies Purposefully Confusing.” Medicinethink.com. Medicine Think. 27 Jan. 2010. Web. 8 Nov. 2010.

16. Milne, Stew. “The Importance of Arts and Crafts for Special Needs Children.” Photograph. Examiner.com. The Examiner. 7 Feb. 2009. Web. 10 Nov. 2010. “Quantitative Review.” Magna de Lange’s Blog. Wordpress. 21 Jan. 2010. Web. 24 Nov. 2010. “School Program.” Stcolletta.org. St. Colleta of Greater Washington. 2010. Web. 10 Nov. 2010. Stagliano, Kim. “Why Do We Treat Our Kid’s Autism.” Ageofautism.com. Age of Austim. 8 Oct. 2008. Web. 10 Nov. 2010. “Stress States: American and Japanese Students.” Stressed Teens. Wordpress. 17 Apr. 2008. Web. 8 Nov. 2010. “Treatment for Autism/ADHD.” Longevitycentres.com. Longevity Centres of America. 2010. Web. 10 Nov. 2010. “What is Autism.” Medicalnewstoday.com. MediLexicon International Ltd. 2010. Web. 8 Nov. 2010.

17. Let Us Be There For Them