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AUTISM AWARENESS MONTH
RHS gets involved in the evolution of Autism awareness
MARIAM HANNA
STAFF WRITER
April was Autism Awareness Month:
a time to deepen society’s understanding
of Autism. Autism spectrum disorder is a
complex developmental disability that affects
1 in 68 children nationwide, according to
the Center for Disease Control (CDC).
The National Autism Association explains
that Autism impacts the development of
the brain in the areas of social interaction,
communication skills and cognitive function.
“Usually, [Autism] is an impairment in
social skills,” said Ms. Tarra Dodge, one
of Rochester High School´s special needs
teachers. “They may not be able to read
people’s body language or have difficulty
when you say something but you said it
sarcastically, they might not be able to pick
up on that.”
Individuals who have Autism are different
than those who have other disabilities,
because they do not have a certain feature
that distinguishes them. According to Ms.
Dodge, this can lead to misunderstandings
and miscommunications.
“For people with Autism, there’s not a
big difference in the way they walk or their
facial features. They are not in a wheelchair.
There is nothing to really tell you, so that
can really get people into trouble,” said
Ms. Dodge. “That’s when they would get
misjudged or even get in trouble with the law
if other people are not aware that they have
a disability.”
While people with an Autism spectrum
disorder may not always be able to read body
language or participate in the same activities
that a person who does not have Autism
can, there are certain things individuals with
Autism can do that others might not.
“I had a friend who knew elevators,”
Ms. Dodge said. “He knew the brand of
elevators in Somerset Mall verses the one
here at the school. He could tell what the
brand was and the functionings; he was just
fascinated by elevators and knew all kinds of
details about elevators.”
RHS offers a class in which students can
peer mentor those who are in the special
needs program. By being peer mentors,
students are able to make bonds they may
not have made otherwise and help their peers
overcome challenges.
“The friendships I have with the students
and really making a difference in their lives
is my favorite thing,” senior Isabelle Stella,
a current peer mentor, said. “[For instance,]
THE TALON || SPRING 2018
we have helper dogs that come to this class
on certain days, and one of the students is
scared of dogs, and I kind of helped him
pet a dog for the first time, so that was really
cool.”
According to Stella, it is significant to
understand what Autism truly is and become
more aware of it. In addition, it is crucial to
understand that those who have Autism are
not much different than everyone else.
“I think a lot of people are very ignorant
when it comes to the disability and don’t
quite understand it, so there’s a lot of
judgement and laughter and jokes and being
very exclusive and not friendly,” said Stella.
“[To change their perspective on Autism,]
they just need to learn about it. Just read a
few articles- that’s all it really takes. Just talk
to a student, and see that they want to be
friends with you.”
According to sophomore Flavia Mandley,
being a peer mentor is an opportunity she is
glad she took.
“I love seeing the kids grow and them
learning and putting a smile on their face,” Left: Ms. Dodge works with students in her class at RHS. Photos by Mariam Hanna
Mandley said. Right: Freshman Liz Maag performs in RHS colorguard. Photo courtesy of Liz Maag.
Mandley also explains that people should
not feel bad for students who have Autism, “This is my first year of high school, teachers across the country as of May 2017.
and believes that instead, they should gain and I was nervous at first really because in ¨I do like [RHS´s special needs program].
awareness about the disorder. middle school I was really not talkative until I like that the school as a whole just seems
“Some people say they feel for them,” seventh and eighth grade, but it went back to encompass people with all different
Mandley said. “But you shouldn’t feel bad for down again,” Maag said. “With that message, abilities and disabilities,” Ms. Dodge said.
them because they’re just like us, trying to get choir, again, band, the colorguard, theater- “When I was in college, I was actually kinda
through their lives.” they understand how I feel, or maybe they going a business route and I was gonna
At Rochester High School, there are two understand my emotions and feelings. They start my own store and all that. Then, my
classes in the special needs program- one for treat you like family. If there is someone college roommate said we need volunteers
the higher functioning disabled students with being mean to you, they would understand for this thing called special olympics, so
Ms. Amy Cosentino and one for the ones you and help you.” we volunteered with her and that changed
who may need more help with Ms. Dodge. According to Maag, peer mentors make my mind that day. I was working with
Freshman Liz Maag is in Ms. Cosentino’s her day brighter. They make the students adults actually. They were probably in their
class, and she has Autism. smile and enjoy themselves. twenties; they had special needs. It was like a
“[Autism awareness and acceptance is “I would say [my favorite experience with switch. I knew then and there that that was
important because] for one, I feel Autism peer mentors is] their kindness and their what I wanted to do.”
awareness is a powerful message,” she said. facial expressions,” she said. “They make With a combination of teachers like Ms.
“It is a good reason because I have Autism people smile a lot.” Dodge and Ms. Cosentino, peer mentors
and it is a disorder. It’s been hard, so maybe Classes like the one Maag is in are offered such as Magley and Stella, and students with
people who don’t have Autism or any because of the Individuals with Disabilities Autsim, like Maag, Autism awareness is
disorder just should be aware of Autism. Education Act (IDEA) that was passed increasing by the day.
This is what I have, and maybe some don’t in 1975 to ensure that students who fall “We read Wonder, and it’s just about
know what Autism is.” under the special needs umbrella get a fair a boy who gets teased and bullied and its
Maag is an example of somebody who, chance at education. According to the U.S just hard for him to go to school, or me.
instead of letting her disorder get to her, Department of Education, almost 50 million Especially me because I can’t learn with
chooses to allow it to empower her. This is students who have a disability attend public maybe some people,” Maag adds. “But, my
only her first year of high school and she schools as of the 2013-2014 school year. friends and peer mentors put a smile on my
has already joined the colorguard, choir and Furthermore, the Bureau of Labor Statistics face. Those are friends I am looking for.”
theater at RHS. says there are over 37,000 special needs