Beading To Spread The Word

By Eliza Hallabeck

Tyler Jones stood at a booth in Reed Intermediate School on Saturday, October 18, for a craft fair with his mother and jewelry he had beaded by hand for the occasion. It was the first time his jewelry was sold to the public, and it marked the beginning of what could become a career.

On a separate table, samples made to resemble puzzle pieces were displayed with information about autism. Tyler’s photograph stood out on a paper display for the puzzle piece table with information his mother, Linda Jones, said she had to “piece” together.

“The whole thing about it is,” said Ms Jones, “autism is such a puzzle.”

Tyler, a 16-year-old, was diagnosed with autism when he was 2 years old. Ms Jones said he developed normally, but when he started to walk something was amiss.

Tyler will be attending craft fairs around the state, and his next one will be at The Pilot House in Fairfield on November 22. The Pilot House is a foundation that provides programs and resources for families raising children who have developmental disabilities. A lecturer will also be at the November 22 event.

Autism is a neurobiological disorder that lasts throughout a person’s lifetime, according to the pamphlet prepared for T.J. Designs, Tyler’s business that sells his beaded designs and promotes autism awareness. Autism impairs one’s ability to communicate and relate to others, according to the pamphlet.

“My kids were never sick,” said Ms Jones recalling the fact that the family did not have a regular pediatrician at the time. She said the family brought Tyler to a doctor who referred them to a neurologist.

In 1994, she said, there was not much information readily available about autism. A model called applied behavior analysis was used to study Tyler’s social behavior, and, she said, teachers were at the family’s home seven days a week.

“We still have teachers in our home all the time,” said Ms Jones.

Tyler, who has a limited ability to communicate verbally, has been working on beading the jewelry he sold at the craft fair for three months. Ms Jones said a doctor suggested that Tyler should start beading.

“So many people who are disabled can’t get work,” said Ms Jones, “and they end up really poor.”

Ms Jones said Tyler is ready to bead and work every day.

“Our goal is to educate people about autism,” said Ms Jones.

Tyler attends 50 hours a week of training at the Connecticut Center for Child Development in Milford. Ms Jones said he is driven on a van to school by the “best van drivers.”

Ms Jones said attending the craft fair at Reed Intermediate was great, and it was the first event as a kick-off to other things Tyler will be working toward, like attending The Pilot House later this month. The next move for T.J. Designs, she said, may be a website.

“I just want people to understand autism,” said Ms Jones, “and this is a kid who has been able to do this, which is awesome.”

When Tyler was first diagnosed, Ms Jones said she had to go to multiple doctors to learn what autism is.

“You go to one person, and they give you a little information,” said Ms Jones. “And it’s just a piece.”

It has not been easy, Ms Jones said, but beading has helped to calm Tyler. She said it helps by keeping him focused on one task.

“They can’t talk,” said Ms Jones. “They can’t communicate their needs or wants. So it’s understandable.”