Community Corner

Shine a Light on Autism in April

We talk to a teacher from Swampscott who works with students with autism. Today is World Autism Awareness Day, and April is Autism Awareness Month.

Through the end of April, Home Depot will sell blue light bulbs to raise awareness about autism. A portion of each sale will go to the science and advocacy group Autism Speaks to fund research, advocacy, family services, and awareness for families struggling with this disorder. Autism Speaks has a website, www.lightitupblue.org, with information about the program.

Here, we talk to Jacquelyn Donaher of Swampscott. She is a teacher at Futures in Beverly, where the staff works with children and adults.

How long have you worked at Futures?

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I’ve worked at Futures for almost two years. 

What do you do? What are the goals?

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Futures is a private school for children with autism spectrum disorders between the ages of 3-22 years old. Futures provides individualized treatment for each child and all of our treatment is based on the principles of applied behavior analysis. We target academic, behavioral, and social goals. We currently have 28 students who are in classrooms of 4-5 students and we are staffed 1:1. I work as a one on one teacher with six students throughout the day.

What is important for people to know about children and adults with autism?

It is important for people to know that autism presents very differently in each individual. Children and adults with autism have extremely varied abilities and challenges.

What have you learned about people with autism since you started working with them?

I have learned so much from my students in my two years at Futures. I am so inspired by my students each and every day. Though autism poses some significant challenges, it has been so incredible to watch the progress that my students have made. I have learned to never underestimate the abilities of my students.

Why is it important that there is such a thing as World Autism month?

It is important that there is such a thing as World Autism month because autism is becoming so prevalent in our society and effecting so many individuals and their families. However, an autism diagnosis is not nearly as earth-shattering as it was in the past. There are many empirically based interventions available for the treatment of ASD such as applied behavior analysis that can truly change the lives of individuals with autism and World Autism month can raise awareness of this important information.

Information from Autism Speaks

About Autism
Autism is a general term used to describe a group of complex
developmental brain disorders - autism spectrum disorders-caused by a
combination of genes and environmental influences. These disorders are
characterized, in varying degrees, by communication difficulties, social
and behavioral challenges, as well as repetitive behaviors. An estimated
one in 88 children in the U.S. is on the autism spectrum - a 78 percent
increase in six years that is only partly explained by improved
diagnosis.

About Autism Speaks
Autism Speaks is the world's leading autism science and advocacy
organization. It is dedicated to funding research into the causes,
prevention, treatments and a cure for autism; increasing awareness of
autism spectrum disorders; and advocating for the needs of individuals
with autism and their families. Autism Speaks was founded in February
2005 by Suzanne and Bob Wright, the grandparents of a child with autism.
Mr. Wright is the former vice chairman of General Electric and chief
executive officer of NBC and NBC Universal. Since its inception, Autism
Speaks has committed more than $195 million to research and developing
innovative resources for families. Each year Walk Now for Autism Speaks
events are held in more than 100 cities across North America. On the
global front, Autism Speaks has established partnerships and related
activities in more than 40 countries on five continents to foster
international research, services and awareness. To learn more about
Autism Speaks, please visit AutismSpeaks.org.


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