April is Autism Awareness month, and Findlay Elementary School used April 11 to show their support for students who are living and thriving with autism. Students throughout the school were encouraged to wear blue in support of Autism Awareness Month and were given the opportunity to purchase Autism Awareness bracelets from White County High School – with each student in Megan Wallace’s class being gifted a bracelet of their own.
According to Wallace, who teaches special education at Findlay Elementary, the staff and students throughout the school excel at making sure all students, regardless of their learning levels, are included in every way possible.
“Many of my students go out in the general education setting for different parts of the day,” she explained. “Some students go to science and social studies classes with extra assistance, some students attend encore classes, and some join in general education classes for strictly social skill building opportunities during recess and lunch. Findlay students are great to include special education students by asking to sit with them at lunch.”
Wallace said last year one of her students with autism was embraced by the school’s cheerleading squad who crowned her an honorary cheerleader.
“They gave her a matching shirt and bow, just like the other cheerleaders,” Wallace said. “This year the student attended tryouts and was given an official spot on the cheer team! The girls and coaches were so good to include her in practices and games.”
Wallace said that, at Findlay, inclusion is the norm as the school encourages all students to participate in school activities – whether those be sports, extracurricular activities, or regular daily classes and routines.
“All students at Findlay are treated with equity, being included in all academics and activities to the best of their abilities,” Wallace said. “We are blessed to be a part of such an amazing school.”
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