STEVEN BUYANSKY / STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER Hundreds of buttons designed and assembled at Harry's Buttons, including a six-inch button featuring Harry Engnell Jr. that thanks customers, are on display at the entrance to the shop at 1343 S. Schoolhouse Road in New Lenox.

Just wild about Harry's Buttons

Possible signs of autism The National Institute of Child Health and Human Development lists these five behaviors that signal further evaluation of a child is warranted: Does not babble or coo by 12 months of age Does not gesture (point, wave, grasp) by 12 months Does not say single words by 16 months Does not say two-word phrases on his or her own by 24 months Has any loss of any language or social skill at any age. Having any of these five "red flags" does not mean your child has autism, but because the characteristics of the disorder vary. A child displaying these characteristics should have further evaluations by a multidisciplinary team that may include a neurologist, psychologist, developmental pediatrician, speech/language therapist, learning consultant or other professionals knowledgeable about autism. -- Autism Society of America, www.autism-society.org.

NEW LENOX — Harry Engnell Jr. spends his days the way many other 25-year-olds do: working a full-time job during the week and playing sports on the weekends.

Harry, a graduate of Lincoln-Way High School, excels in tennis and loves to watch professional wrestling.

He is very orderly and a perfectionist, paying close attention to every detail of his work.

Harry is autistic.

He runs Harry's Buttons with his father, Harry Engnell Sr., in New Lenox. The business opened last spring.

The business grew from a hobby Harry Jr. had, making buttons in his basement.

Now Harry fills orders for upwards of 15,000 buttons. A meticulous worker, Harry puts together every piece of the product — sliding pins into the backing, cutting out the paper circles and putting each piece together with a button-making machine.

Harry made 10,000 buttons for Manhattan's recent Irish Fest. He made buttons for several political candidates, supporters of the New Lenox school district referendum and the faculty and staff of Lincoln-Way High School.

Sitting at a table making buttons all day, a job many would consider tedious after a while, is fitting for an autistic person, Harry Sr. said.

"They like the routine. Everything was so consistent and predictable," Harry Sr. said. "I thought I'd get him more business."

Complicating diagnosis is that autistic people can have any combination and number of symptoms. Diagnosis is based on observing a person's communication, behavior and development.

The work environment at Harry's Buttons is just right for an autistic person — quiet and slow, not bustling. While those with disabilities such as Down Syndrome can easily work in a busy environment such as a fast-food restaurant, autistic people can become agitated or confused by too much commotion.

The Autism Society of America uses a ribbon covered in puzzle pieces as its logo, illustrating the puzzle the disease can be. In 1972, the society designated April as National Autism Awareness Month to provide an opportunity to educate the community about autism.

Lori Hausherr, Trinity's director of Adult Services, said Trinity supports Harry's Buttons as a business and a concept that could be adapted to help disabled people find meaningful work.

People with autism and other disabilities could use the business model to start button-making and other types of production businesses, Harry Sr. said.

He recently attended a conference to showcase his idea, Hausherr said, and sold some button-making equipment to social service agencies in Texas and California.

"His dedication to his son is absolutely phenomenal. I think it's cool. But I think to be successful in the long run, it's going to need the support of an organization like Trinity," Hausherr said. "The hope is, in the future, it becomes a program for more adults with autism. Hopefully by July we'll be able to work that out."

Harry Jr. has worked other jobs, being a library aide and helping make meals for seniors in Frankfort Township. Given the choice of jobs, Harry Jr. chooses his button business over all others.

Dr. Monica Schmitt, principal of Lincoln-Way Central High School, has ordered buttons from Harry that all the teachers wear on Fridays.

"Those of us who were here when Harry went to school have very fond memories of him," Schmitt said. "When we heard there was a chance to support him in his button business, we were very excited to do so.

"When Harry completes an order for us, he always personally delivers them. You can see how much pride he takes in his work and the end product," Schmitt said.

The button shop serves two purposes — it provides a job for Harry Jr. and, Harry Sr. hopes, others with autism or disabilities. It also provides a way to raise autism awareness. The Web site for Harry's Buttons is printed on the edge of each button he makes.

"Buttons lead to awareness," Harry Sr. said. "I won't go anywhere without my button."

For more information about Harry's Buttons, call (708) 479-0561 or visit www.HarrysButtons.com. Contact reporter Janet Lundquist at jlundquist@scn1.com or call (815) 729-6014.