My name is Cassidy and I thank you for your interest in Show Your Colours for Autism!

Show Your Colours for Autism is a program I started during Summer 2012. I have close friends and people I care about who have Autism or Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD) like Asperger’s Syndrome. I have seen and heard how people act and what they say about these individuals behind their backs or when they are not around.  I know these kids with get picked on and that it’s hard to be yourself when you’re being humiliated and ridiculed all the time. All of this is because people still don’t completely understand this condition and how it affects people who have it.

What is Autism, you may ask? Autism Speaks explains “Autism and ASD as general terms for a group of complex disorders of brain development. These disorders are characterized, in varying degrees, by difficulties in social interaction, verbal and nonverbal communication and repetitive behaviors.”

I have made this small program to make a change in how individuals with Autism and ASD can not only express themselves but also so that others can show that they support these individuals.  I know it’s hard to grow up with autism, being ridiculed and picked on a lot of the time, so that’s why I started “Show Your Colours”.  I tie dye shirts in any combination of 3-6 colors you want with the logo I designed. The tie dye component is meant to be symbolic. It symbolizes that kids and individuals with Autism shouldn’t be afraid to show their beautiful selves just like everyone else. Additionally, others should be proud to support these individuals by “showing their colours”. Proceeds from this project will go to projects in special education services in schools and the community so that we may continue to help people with Autism be as successful as they can be.  At the same time, it will help raise awareness so others may understand Autism better.  Colours say a great deal about who we are and our personalities so we should all be confident enough to be ourselves and “show our colours”.