kaleidescopes

What's a Bazzelbug?

Well....want to hear a story ? Bazzelbugs were born about 5 years ago when my son Zak and his summer friend were looking for something to do with creek rocks. First let me tell you about my son Zak.....he's now almost 18 years old, and he has Autism. Zak is severely Autistic. He cannot communicate with normal speech, but uses short phrases, single words, gestures and gesticulations. Zak is always making sounds of some sort, and he often repeats what is said to him by others, a behavior called echolalia.

Zak's friend Kylie learned about finding rocks and coloring them with crayons, then baking them in the oven to set the wax. She and Zak started gathering and coloring rocks they found creekside when they went swimming. They made paper weights at first. Then I thought up the idea of gluing two rocks together and wrapping them with wire.....they looked like bugs ! So, Zak and Kylie gathered and colored and baked the rocks, and I glued and wrapped and beaded and added enameled earrings to complete the bugs. When a gallery we knew called for entries for a creepers and critters show, we went to them with our bugs, and they were delighted ! We have been making Bazzelbugs exclusively for this gallery ever since....of course, we don't make very many....maybe 30 bugs a year....and they don't cost too much either....after all, they're rocks ! But Bazzelbugs serve a greater purpose, they teach people about Autism, and that makes it all worthwhile.

Zak still helps with making Bazzelbugs, but he's into different arts and crafts now as well. We invite you to the web-site of North Carolina C.A.L.L. (Creative Autistic Living and Learning) to see more of what he is doing, and our plans for the future for Autistic people in WNC.

www.northcarolinacall.org