Autism Solutions IncorporatedPresents:

The Spectrum

Music and singing by Danni StefanettiLyrics by Stephanie Brown

Performed LIVE at the Autism Solutions Incorporated Charity Event:The Diamonds and Pearls Ball

at the Burswood Entertainment Complex in Perth May 2008

This song was inspired to raise awareness of Autism which is a Spectrum of diff-abilities (“diff” meaning different). Being different can be a gift. The words

invite you to open your heart, open your mind and look deeper…

Bronte Count & Sian Brown at the Diamonds and Pearls Ball Both girls have Autism and are on the Spectrum

…to discover the beauty of the spectrum within…

“The rainbow in me… is the rainbow in you… so many different colours… can you see them too…”

Stephanie Brown

Presenting the beautiful Danni Stefanetti who put music and voice to my words…

Autism Solutions Incorporated Heroine, Saint, Martyr and Angel are just some of the words that come to mind

when remembering Leanne Count (nee Lockwood). I wish to share an amazing and true story of unrivalled strength, courage and determination by one woman against all adversity.

Born in Fremantle, Leanne danced her way through her young life and was

already teaching dance at 17 years of age. Whilst enjoying a rewarding career, she met and married Peter and on the 4th of November, 1999, Bronte was born.

Leanne rose eagerly to the early challenges of motherhood but it soon became apparent to her that Bronte was somehow different from other children. Her worst fears were confirmed when Bronte was finally diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder at age 3.

It was at this time that Leanne realised the lack of support and resources available and made it her mission to set up a charitable organisation to assist families. Although there were many obstacles, Leanne’s persistent determination, strength and courage culminated in the fruition of the not for profit organisation Autism Solutions Incorporated.

Leanne taught herself how to be her child's best advocate and from Bronte’s

very first therapy session, every small step became a big step. As Leanne continued to fight passionately for those who could not, she was diagnosed with Liver Disease. Determined to remain positive, she often turned the music volume up high and danced around the house to remind herself that when the going gets tough, the tough get dancing.

Despite treatment, Leanne’s health continued to decline but she kept going insisting "It’s not how much time you have; it is what you do with it that counts…” Leanne gained recognition as “Momentum Women’s Forum Most Inspiring Woman of the Year” in March 2008, but a few months later on the 20th of August, she tragically passed away at the age of 42 surrounded by her family and friends.

All of us dream of one day changing the world but few of us rarely do. I am privileged to have known someone who did exactly that every minute of every day of her life. Leanne gave the gift of herself with a generous and happy heart. She made a difference to all the lives she touched. Leanne lived her dream.

Leanne’s legacy now lives on through you, the members of Autism Solutions Incorporated (AuS). Without you, there wouldn’t be the enormous support network that continues to grow in numbers and strength. Hand in hand, step by step, we watch our children grow, joining them on the rollercoaster ride that is ASD. They continue to surprise us every day. Your vision of hope for those we love with ASD brings us together as part of the AuS family. We welcome you to join us, wherever you may be in the world.

• For more information, please visit http://www.autismsolutionsinc.org.au/• Contact us autismsolutionsincorporated@hotmail.com• Like us on Facebook:• http://www.facebook.com/pages/Autism-Solutions-Incorporated/145471282184384• Danni Stefanetti; Press Contact: george-danni@bigpond.com• Music produced by Alfredo Malabello http://www.alfredomalabello.com/

These are words Leanne held close to her heart. They are the beacon of hope we all embrace… the light that shines when darkness threatens…and the pot of gold at the end of the rainbow known as the Spectrum:

“They saw a child “in a world of his own” I see the most the most brilliant star

They saw a child “who may never speak”I see a gift that didn't need words

They saw a child with “limited possibility” I see a child, my child, who can soar past the sky”

ASD 1 in 160Canvas Tulip Print

By Stephanie Brown

Welcome to Holland by Emily Perl Kingsley

When you’re going to have a baby, it’s like planning a fabulous vacation trip to Italy. You buy a bunch of guide books and make your wonderful plans. The Coliseum, the Sistine Chapel, Gondolas. You may learn some handy phrases in Italian. It’s all very exciting.

After several months of eager anticipation, the day finally arrives. You pack your bags and off you go. Several hours later, the plane lands. The stewardess comes in and says, “Welcome to Holland!” “Holland?” you say. “What do you mean, Holland? I signed up for Italy. I’m supposed to be in Italy. All my life I’ve dreamed of going to Italy.”

But there’s been a change in the flight plan. They’ve landed in Holland and there you must stay. The important thing is that they haven’t taken you to a horrible, disgusting, filthy place full of pestilence, famine, and disease. It’s just a different place. So, you must go out and buy new guidebooks. And you must learn a whole new language. And you will meet a whole new group of people you would never have met.

It’s just a different place. It’s slower paced than Italy, less flashy than Italy. But after you’ve been there for a while and you catch your breath, you look around. You begin to notice that Holland has windmills. Holland has tulips. And Holland even has Rembrandts.

But everyone you know is busy coming and going from Italy, and they’re all bragging about what a wonderful time they had there. And for the rest of your life you will say, “Yes, that’s where I was supposed to go. That’s what I had planned.” And the pain of that experience will never, ever, ever, go away. The loss of that dream is a very significant loss.

But if you spend your life mourning the fact that you didn’t get to Italy, you may never be free to enjoy the very special, the very lovely things about Holland.

Rainbows over your world

Del, Steph, Tamara, Tanya & Kim

Music and Prints featured are available by request

“So many different colours…can you see them too…”