What does an inclusive in-school celebration look like?
Staff at Donahue School aimed to find the answer during their annual Autism Acceptance month event. While a traditional in-school celebration might include students sitting for an assembly or participating in free play activities in the gymnasium, this event aimed to balance students’ sensory needs with novel and exciting activities that everyone could participate in.
Students created sensory bottles with help from occupational therapists Jenn Self and Jennifer Reigner and played sight word bingo with speech therapists Hannah Glasheen and Neoma Myers. Physical therapist Regina Doerner facilitated volleyball games with beach balls. Two inflatable bounce houses were a popular outlet for students to get their energy out, while creative outlets included puppets, paper dolls, and craft projects designed by paraprofessional Carmen Chatel that featured characters from Bluey, a popular television show that centers on the antics of a high-energy blue heeler dog, his family, and friends.
“In previous years, the celebration event was after school,” explained teacher Ashanta Ester. “It was important to me that this event take place during the school day so that all students could participate.”
The day-long event, spearheaded by Ms. Ester, was designed for two classes to participate at a time, which helped to regulate noise and movement. Students traveled between different activity stations for six minutes at a time in small groups, which provided a sense of routine and clear expectations.
Since the programming was facilitated by members of the special education services team, students who normally would attend speech, physical, or occupational therapy were able to receive services as an integrated part of the event alongside their peers who may not normally receive services. Integrating services and rotating all students through the activities contributed to the day’s spirit of inclusion.
Traditionally, autism acceptance and celebration months take place in April. While this event is part of April’s celebration, Ms. Ester emphasized that the event was for every student.
“We’re here to celebrate all kinds of minds, and make sure students know that the way they think is something to be uplifted.”