Bloom & Grow : World Autism Awareness Day

What font did you use in the happy birthday hero blog thingy? I love it.

Such gorgeous pages highlighting your precious family.
Thanks for sharing your trials and triumphs with autism.

I didn't realize it was today, so thanks for letting us all know! As a grad student in speech-language pathology it was really nice to read through some of your previous related entries. I love working with kids with Autism and their parents, but reading someone's personal story is a whole other, really useful and enlightening thing. I've been reading for awhile and enjoy your blog! :) Thanks.

Hi Ali~
I dedicated my Facebook page today to World Autism Awareness. Having been touched by Aspergers Syndrome with my five year old daughter, I plan to go back and read many of your journal entries about Simons process. Oh, and you are tempting me to start doing digital layouts, I love the look!

Ali-
I loved your LOs! :) The one of Chris and Anna is beautiful..the pic is wonderful! :) I also love the 1st LO on your page of Simon. He is so sweet! :)

beautiful pages. it is a journey, isn't it. i too have a son with differences and i am reading a great parent focused book that helps celebrate the small triumphs and give a voice to the days you feel the defeats... it's called The Elephant in the Playroom. xo

beautiful layouts Ali!

On your scrapbook page where the you fill the page with the photo, how do you make the border white? I bought your monthly hand drawn borders like that and it's black. Can I change the color?

Love Simon's beautiful smile! My son has Asperger traits - it's rare when I get a smile on photos...you should be proud!

Thanks for sharing all you do about autism Ali; it has helped us immensely with understanding our beautiful and often challenging 5yr old with HF Autism. I have spent many a night going through your 'autism' labelled posts and i can imagine i'm not the only person who has done that and been given much hope through your shares.
Love your layouts :)
Lusi x

I knew you would have something special on your blog today. You are one of the best advocates for Autism research and funding! However, my home state of Missouri is embarrassed today. Here is a link to a local newspaper update about an Autism bill that was returned to its originating committee.
http://www.news-neader.com/article/20090402/BREAKING01/90402042

Let me start by saying, what an absolutely beautiful black and white layout. I have never even attempted to scrap digitally, but yesterday I purchased the Songbird package and am going to give it a try. As an educator of young students with autism, I realize and I know you do to that these are magnificent little people and my life would be less blessed without them. Thanks for always sharing your insight and devotion.

Every thought about some journaling spots your husband fills in...about you, the baby? His voice seems missing from your family layouts...reminds me I need to do the same!
LOVE the new touch to your header!

Ali, the Executive Order creating the Oregon Commission on Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD)can be found here:
http://governor.oregon.gov/Gov/P2009/press_032509.shtml

Good stuff isn't it Cassie? Both Chris and Simon were there for the signing. Chris chaired the work-group that made the recommendations to the Gov.

I was actually just thinking about this today Maggie. I agree, his voice is missing. Need to rectify that.

Hi Alicia - you can definitely change the color. In Photoshop make sure you have the layer selected and then go to Edit and click Fill. It will change the border/overlay to whatever color you have chosen in the color palette.

Hi - that came from the Hero site. I am sure they would be happy to tell you what it is over there :).

Read it and definitely enjoyed it.

Wish I could be there again!