Autistic Girl's Candle Business Inspires Caregivers

Photo byStreamline News

Tamara Santiago

8/24/2024

Research: www.scentonyacandles.com

It has been confirmed that a 7-year-old has created a business out of candle making. Born prematurely, she was diagnosed with autism at three years old. Her story is heartwarming and gives hope to all caregivers of non-verbal autistic children across the world. After making contact with the family in support of the young artist who wishes to keep her first name unrecorded, we have gained further insight into the creation of Scent-On-YA Candles.

Hailee, the young artist's middle name, was born at 21 weeks old in Atlanta. She spent several months in the NICU, fighting for her life. Finally, she was released to go home with her family. At the time of her release, her parents had no idea what they were in for.

"We knew that something was different with her, but it wasn't when we brought her home," says the mother of the young artist. "We gradually saw her change after her 11-month appointment." Spectators can only imagine what happened from that appointment onward to change the biochemistry of a once "talkative" and "playful" child.

The grandmother, who refused a full interview, suggested that Hailee used to have a growing vocabulary of at least twenty words or so at eleven months like her siblings. However, by the age of one, Hailee was no longer verbal or interacting with her family like she once used to.

Now, she is eight years old, and during our interview, she did not speak. Instead, she bounced around, flanging her arms repeatedly, mumbling, and crossing her eyes. Her parents believe that she was "stemming," a word used to describe the behaviors of some autistic individuals.

Hailee's dad states that there are times when she doesn't stem. Instead, she likes to pour and mix scents or fragrances. He believes that her doing this actually curves the stem and requires her to focus in a way that is most pleasing to her.

Scent-On-YA Candles was created when Hailee was getting ready to turn eight years old. It was a birthday gift for her. "We realize that one day we are no longer going to be here to look after her and her siblings. Creating this business allows us to prepare her for the harsh realities of the real world," her parents argue. They believe that creating businesses for their young children and teaching them how to successfully carry out the work of the business will give them security when they are no longer here to care for them.

To support this young artist and her business, click here.