- November 26, 2024
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On a nationwide level, the puzzle piece symbol reflects the mystery and complexity of autism spectrum disorder. In the same way, because every puzzle piece is different, a puzzle piece represents the diversity of the individuals affected.
As part of Autism Awareness Month, Imagine School at Town Center teamed with Houligan’s to host an Autism Dinner Night Tuesday, April 16.
Holding the dinner at a restaurant was a way to get the community familiar with the characteristics of autism.
“A lot of people out there have no idea what a child with autism looks like,” said Aimee Mahoney, Imagine’s speech-language pathologist. “A child who is throwing a tantrum and screaming, or a child who is nonverbal and can’t talk — those families get a lot of grief from people that don’t know.”
In addition to raising awareness, the dinner was also designed to raise money for the Belle Terre Elementary School’s autism programs sensory room.
“Students with autism have difficulty with sensory input,” said Belle Terre autism teacher Jennifer Middleswart.
The sensory room is designed to help to satisfy the students’ sensory need, allowing them to focus better in the regular classroom.
Each student needs something different, from working with body weight, to listening to music, which requires a lot of equipment. One piece of equipment Middleswart would like to see in the room is a swing to satisfy the desire that many autistic students have to spin.
“We are really working hard throughout the district to empower students with autism so they can grow and be supported out in the community,” Middleswart said. “The sensory room is one way of doing that.”
With one in 88 children (one in 55 boys, and one in 110 girls) being diagnosed on the autism spectrum, the condition is one that has become more prevalent in recent years.
“We recognize that there is a need for support throughout the whole community, not just at Imagine,” said Kristi Kendall, Imagine School assistant principal and ESE staffing specialist.
For Kendall, whose oldest son is autistic, the issue is one that she holds close to her heart and the idea to send the funds raised to Belle Terre was a no-brainer.
“It’s not about Imagine, but it is about raising awareness in the community so that people learn just a touch of what autism is about and what these families go through and not to rely on first impressions,” she said. “Everyone has a unique need. (If you) meet one person with autism, you have only met one person with autism: All of them are a different puzzle piece.”
For more information on autism, visit autismspeaks.com.
