LANSDOWNE — Alexis Wood felt like she was living in two different worlds in 2018, after her then 2-year-old daughter Milan was diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder.
Wood was working as a painter and operating Base Painting, a company she owned with her partner Eric Mitchell. She suddenly found herself thrust into a new world of navigating support services, education and treatment options available for Milan.
It didn’t take long for the hard-working, loving mother to find a way to combine her two worlds. On Saturday, Sept. 12, Wood held the grand opening and ribbon cutting of Autsome Brushes, LLC at 17 N. Lansdowne Ave. in the heart of Lansdowne.
With a mission to raise autism awareness and sell high-quality painting tools, Autsome Brushes began as an online venture in 2018, before moving to its brick-and-mortar storefront this month.
When Wood and Mitchell were painting, they noticed the inferiority of many brushes, and how the effectiveness of painting tools made a crucial impact on painters’ work. The couple adapted all of their favorite features from products they used themselves, into a high quality brush collection and trademarked Autsome Brushes. They made the brushes affordable to appeal, not only to painters, but to DIY crafters, as well. The brushes, stamped with the Autsome puzzle pieces on a paint brush logo, are also intended to raise ASD awareness within the contractor and painting community.
“We like to think that we are spreading autism awareness, one brush stroke at a time,” Wood remarked with a smile.
In addition to selling an assortment of brushes, painting poles, utility knives, paint pans, drop cloths and other painting equipment, Autsome Brushes carries a full line of merchandise to help raise autism awareness, including hoodies, shoes, mugs, keychains, water bottles, tote bags, hats, backpacks, jewelry, and other products. She explained that the autism awareness clothing and merchandise will especially appeal to individuals with autism, as well as their parents, family members, teachers and friends who want to support those with autism and raise awareness.
The store also sells autism sensory merchandise like noise-cancellation ear muffs, chew jewelry, and weighted blankets.
Wood says she coined the word “Autsome” to reflect the full scope of her “painting with a purpose” products and company. She says that she defines the word “autsome” as “the ability to overachieve your goals while living with Autism Spectrum Disorder.” It’s a combination of the words “autism” and “awesome.”
“Autsome Brushes was designed to bridge the gap between those who are unfamiliar with autism and those who are diagnosed with autism, The company’s mission is to bring autism awareness to the entire community, as well as encourage and support other families and individuals with autism,” Wood explained. Autsome Brushes donates a 5% portion of their revenue to various non-profit organizations that provide support to individuals diagnosed with autism. So far, seven nonprofit organizations, including the Maurice Rice Foundation and Autism Speaks, have received their donations.
In addition to in-store sales, the company continues to fill worldwide online requests for its products and merchandise, satisfying customers’ orders from over 25 different states and countries.
Autism Spectrum Disorder is defined by the national Autism Society as “a complex, lifelong developmental disability that typically appears during early childhood and can impact a person’s social skills, communication, relationships, and self-regulation. Autism is defined by a certain set of behaviors and is a “spectrum condition” that affects people differently and to varying degrees.”
Milan, now 4 years old, is a happy child, said her mother, and enjoys attending pre-school at Today’s Child and getting educational services from the Delaware County Intermediate Unit.
“My advice to all mothers of children with autism is to realize that autism is not a death sentence,” Wood stated. “It’s not a negative in your life — a child with autism should be embraced and nurtured, just like any other child. Get early intervention to get connected with others who can help and be a part of your child’s success story. Always keep hope and surround yourself and your child with a good support team.”
Wood, a resident of East Lansdowne, is also the mother of Amire, 15, a sophomore at Penn Wood High School. The business owner, who was born and raised in South Philadelphia, received her bachelor’s degree in criminal justice and her master’s degree in psychology with a minor in applied behavior analysis, from Kaplan University, now Purdue University Global. Wood said her education has helped in designing and implementing the features of her store and figuring out ways that the business can help the community.
In addition to the painting supplies and autism merchandise on display, Autsome Brushes features an in-store Sensory Station, with various tactile toys, like marbles and Play-Doh, set up for those with autism to explore and enjoy. The store also features a book section, with books written by local authors, about autism or featuring characters who have autism. Additionally, the shop contains a special needs resource table, with information on community and other helpful resources.
On Sunday, Oct. 8, from 2- 5 p.m., Autsome Brushes will team up with You’re Beautifully Made Inc. of Philadelphia, to host the Autsome Community Family Fun Day and Resource Fair, in the parking lot behind Autsome Brushes. Admission is free and will include fun sensory activities, resources, refreshments and giveaways, as well as a presentation by guest speaker and autism advocate Samuel Huber. Everyone is welcome.
For more information about Autsome Brushes, Lansdowne, visit Autsomebrushes.com or Facebook.com/autsomebrushes or contact Alexis Wood at 484-466-4623 or Info@autsomebrushes.com.
by Peg DeGrassa pdegrassa@21st-centurymedia.com @PeggyDe5 on Twitter Taken from Delcotimes.com. Sep 23, 2020