Autism Awareness Month takes place in the month of April. It is the time of year when we raise awareness for Autism and Asperger syndrome. It is important that people on the spectrum are accepted by others so that they are not alone. We want to thank all the therapists, caregivers, families, physicians, supporters, and organizations (including our SEEDs) for helping people on the spectrum find their place in the world.
In order to keep Seeds students engaged during the time off, the Seeds staff put together a weekly online curriculum for the students. I really enjoy doing the online coursework. Seeds also does weekly Zoom chat meetings, which is great because it allows me to interact with my peers, and the instructors. There are also Seeds Zoom clubs, where we talk about Disney movies, do sing-a-longs, and many other fun activities. The Zoom chats are the highlight of my week.
At SEEDs for Autism, one of the most unique aspects of our program is providing real life opportunities for participants to turn the skills they learn into ACTION! During our annual Art Jam, SEEDs participants will be conducting tours, assisting customers and providing instruction to the community through a series of exciting workshops. We asked some of our participants to share their thoughts on how they provide excellent customer service.
CHRIS M.
During my time working at SEEDS for Autism, I started learning to check out items for customers who buy them. They were purchasing each item and I helped with scanning the item to see how much it costs, letting the customer know how much the item costs and then I took the payment using a square reader.
All that time, I was acting in a positive and professional mood, asking the customer questions about the payment, doing the job with a smile and asking for assistance when I needed help.
I felt like I did a nice job on my first time as a cashier at SEEDS and think I can get a paid job at a store one day thanks to what I’ve learned at SEEDS For Autism.
SONJA
Customer Service is important because it shows you care about the customer and want them to come back to buy more of your product. A good example of customer service is when I did an event over the weekend with SEEDs. I said hello to customers and told them about our products and what we do to help the autism community.
JESSICA
I deal with customers on a daily basis, and how to provide a good customer experience is to greet them with a smile and say have a good day.
NATHAN B.
Customer service is important because it lets customers know that they matter and that purchasing our stuff is appreciated. A good example of giving good customer service is by greeting people and asking if they need help with anything. Another example would be to help them out with whatever their needs are. That is why customer service is important.
JAKE P.
5 Ways to Give Good Customer Service:
1 Look at the customer.
2 Smile.
3 Be friendly.
4 Be Helpful.
5 Be flexible.
Hey Everybody, It’s Chris M. I work at SEEDS For Autism as one of its clients. I’m also working on a dream project called “CRUSADERS For The Future” which I hope to make into a new video game. Do you remember that? Now, here are some updates on my progress.
I’m now working on a game proposal to present to a company. I’ve been reaching out to their representatives to see if they would be interested in helping me with my project, which typically they would ignore. Then, I contacted one video game developer and they sent an actual response, saying they are interested and want to see more, even though I’m new to making game proposals. I’m still working on my proposal so I can show the developer what my game will be.
This has been a dream project. Wish me luck!
By
Jake M.
Gal Gadot is an Israeli actress, model, and veteran of the Israel Defense Force (IDF). She won the Miss Israel in 2004 at the age of 18. After winning the pageant she served two years in the IDF as a combat instructor at the age of 20. She is known for her roles in the Fast and Furious Films, Keeping Up With The Joneses, and Wonder Woman. In 2018, Gadot was listed in Time Magazine’s annual list of the Top 100 Most Influential People In The World.
By
Jake M.
Carrie Underwood is a country music star from Oklahoma. She also co-hosted the 2018 country music awards with Brad Paisley.
List of major accomplishments
At SEEDs for Autism we empower our participants to step outside of their comfort zones and GROW! Whether it’s learning a new skill, meeting new people or engaging in new experiences – trying new things takes courage. We asked our participants to share their experiences about a time when they did something they were afraid to try and how they felt afterwards.
JESSICA
The time I went on the Terror Tower ride at California Adventures. I hate falling rides and they scare me so bad and it was also a scary ride as well. But my parents convinced me and I did. Falling was so scary but I did it. Then I went again and now I love it. So my lesson to the world is try something once and if you don’t like it you don’t have to do it again. But if you do, do it.
SONJA
The first time I rode the bus I was not looking forward to it. I wanted to stay home in bed and not go anywhere. Then my dad came with me and after we stepped off the bus I felt like I could breathe again and since then I’ve been taking the bus to my dad’s work.
ERIK
At least 25 years ago, my parents persuaded me to attempt to ride a bicycle for the first time. Naturally, I was nervous and very reluctant to try. I did not get very far on my first attempt. I fell down and got scraped quite a bit. I still get some nasty bruises even today. Over the years, I got better and better at riding my own bike.
MICHAEL S.
I was afraid to take an airplane to Los Angeles. But I did it. It wasn’t that bad because there were two girls on the plane. I’m not afraid of airplanes anymore.
DUSTIN
I was afraid to come to SEEDs but now I am happy to be here.
DANIEL N.
I was afraid to forge metal at SEEDs but I did it anyway and I felt the emotion of pride.
At SEEDs for Autism, our ongoing series of workshops provide new opportunities to empower our participants and encourage them to GROW! These talented young adults gain confidence as they share their skills with others, engage with the community and assist our staff during these inspiring interactive events. Last month, SEEDs participants Camille and Jake co-facilitated our Painting and Block Printing Side by Side workshop which was open to the community.
CAMILLE
My name is Camille and I helped teach a painting workshop at SEEDS. On that day, I passed out the canvases to each person and I also designed the project everybody was working on. I designed a bird in its nest and everybody drew and painted it. I made sure everybody had clean water, helped them pick their paint and offered suggestions to make their drawings and paintings look better. I felt quite happy, confident and I look forward to teaching another painting class at SEEDS.
JAKE M.
On Saturday, January 26th I led a block printing workshop at Seeds for Autism. The theme was birdhouses. The students had the opportunity to learn from scratch. After the students made their birdhouse designs they printed them on greeting cards. I felt really good about the workshop because I got to pass on a skill to others.
SONJA
On Saturday the 26th of January Seeds hosted a whimsical Bird painting class open to the community. The Instructors for the class were Michele, who is also the Newsroom instructor, Richard and Camille. The process was first drawing out your idea on a piece of paper using a template as a guide in creating the bird. Next we began to sketch our drawings onto the canvas. Then we picked out the colors we wanted for our paintings. I did the bird first then the background and finally the little details to make it my own. It was a fun day and I can’t wait for the next painting class at Seeds.
CHRIS M.
I had a nice experience working at the Printmaking Workshop last Saturday. This was my very first time doing physical print designs that we put on cards. I was a little unsure about making prints at first, but I tired it out anyway. I learned how to carve out a design on an art plate called linoleum, then I learned how to paint the linoleum design with a roller and lastly I stamped the design onto some cards to finish and take home. I designed a greeting card with video game character Crash Bandicoot in it. I would like to try new things in future workshops.
Painting workshop participants pose with their beautiful artwork!
Print-making participants and their wonderful handmade greeting cards!
“I am thankful for what I am and have. My thanksgiving is perpetual.”
– Henry David Thoreau
Thanksgiving is a time where we share a meal together and celebrate our families, friends and the people we care about. In honor of Thanksgiving, we asked SEEDs participants to reflect on their lives and share their thoughts on what they are thankful for.
MATTHEW
I’m pretty much thankful for the life I even have to begin with, having the family I was born in, and the world that I live in. Sure with all its ups, there’s also downs, but that’s just a part of everything. It’s what everyone goes through. Everyone is different, so not everything will be the same for them. Maybe they won’t even be born in the same reality. Over time, people will realize that there’s always gonna be some hardships they have to go through, but sometimes the point is to actually go through them and maybe come out somewhere on top. It’s all part of learning and knowing what to do when the time comes. We all just need to be thankful about what we have while we have them.
ANNA
I am thankful for my counselor and psychiatrist because they have in their own ways helped me feel better and lessen my OCD thoughts. My counselor has talked with me about my OCD and how I can stop it from affecting me. My psychiatrist has prescribed medicine that has lowered my compulsive OCD thoughts.
I am thankful for the internet because with its access I can find things I never knew about that I will enjoy. The internet can answer questions I have without paying money for a book that will answer my question or going to the library and looking for a book they may not have that could answer a lot of questions I have.
JESSE
I am thankful for my friends & family because without them life would be really boring.
RYAN D.
I am thankful for my family and my girlfriend and my friends.
BRIAN T.
I am thankful for Hot Wheels and I really like them because they are my favorite cars.
BRIANNA
I’m thankful for my family because they’re sweet, helpful and very kind! I’m thankful for SEEDs because it is a really fun place to learn, and also the instructors are really friendly and supportive!
JAKE
I am thankful for Seeds because I have friends.
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