On Saturday, Dec. 5, SEEDs for Autism will host its annual holiday sale, where you can purchase handcrafted products made by adults with autism.
SEEDs for Autism was founded by local blacksmith Mary Ann LaRoche who, according to the event’s press release, “… wanted to create an enclave that provided support for those who have left the high school system and had nowhere to continue learning social and life skills.”
LaRoche said this will be SEEDs for Autism’s sixth annual holiday sale. Their first was held in 2010, and the event has grown since it first began.
“The first year was strictly the parents and some of their friends who attended in support of our efforts,” LaRoche said. “The products have certainly come a long way from the first year. With the growth of our volunteers and staff, along with their talents and ideas, SEEDs has evolved in a vast amount of ways.
“Our events not only display the products that the participants learn to make, but they also have demonstrations, craft items to make and take home and interesting appetizers to make for home parties.”
During the holiday sale, participants will be able to not only watch demonstrations but also participate in “make and take” projects.
“The holiday sale specifically focuses on decorating and party ideas for entertaining,” LaRoche said. “There will be opportunities to make holiday cards, ornaments, and sample and watch how to make some fun food ideas for parties. Many other artists come and volunteer to help demonstrate.”
LaRoche said it was her brother, Paul, who inspired her to create the program.
“He was diagnosed in the 70s with autism, before anyone knew what it was,” LaRoche said. “People made fun of his behaviors, looked at him strangely, wouldn’t interact with him when he would try to engage, it broke my heart. After he graduated from high school his options were so limited, and what there was, was so simplistic and didn’t stimulate him or push him to learn.”
“He loved to make things with his hands, and would read up on techniques to try and do. He had a whole world of trains and cars, and shipyards that he created. The worst part was he didn’t have any friends to share those interests with.”
LaRoche said she tried a pilot program with four adults in her backyard “to see if there was a connection to promote learning and creating functional items. Since language and social cues are difficult to understand, doing something that was visual and had steps broken down seemed to be a natural way to teach, build self-esteem, and try something daring, like using real tools for the first time without anyone telling they “can’t” try that, because they might get hurt or fail.”
According to LaRoche, the main goal for SEEDs for Autism is to empower. SEEDs stands for “Success through Education Exploration & Development.”
“We are mentoring and coaching and demonstrating how to achieve and feel good about what you can contribute to the community,” LaRoche said. “This program gives them the chance to try, fail, and see that failures are OK; they are learning moments and that everyone needs to do this in order to learn. It also gives them the chance to see, hey I can do this, I can learn, and I matter.”
As for this year’s sale, LaRoche said:
“We have more products that are geared towards great gifts for friends, family, and even oneself. Yes, there will be a very special unveiling at this event, and we are excited to share this. It is going to be a whole new way to (be) selling our products out into the community and teaching more job skills that hopefully will lead to employment opportunities for our participants.”
“We always look for volunteers, community outreach opportunities, and other partnering organizations whose mission is to teach and empower thru skill building and interaction,” LaRoche said.
You can contact the organization by email at seeds4autism@gmail.com, or by phone at 602-253-4471.
SEEDs for Autism’s holiday sale is this Saturday from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at 1345 W. McKinley Road, on the corner of McKinley Road and 15th Avenue.
Contact the columnist at Holly.Bernstein@asu.edu.
