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Special-education staff outline World Autism Month activities; district reports about 70–75 students receiving autism services
Summary
The district presented activities for World Autism Month, including classroom lessons, spiritwear fundraising and a sensory-friendly autism walk scheduled for April 30; staff reported 70–75 students receive autism-related services across district schools.
Greencastle-Antrim School District special-education staff reviewed World Autism Month activities at the April 17 meeting and described classroom lessons, fundraising and an autism walk scheduled for April 30.
Ginger Thompson, the special-education presenter, said the district shifted terminology from “autism awareness” toward a broader, inclusive “World Autism Month” emphasis. She described primary- and elementary-level lessons on sensory sensitivity and communication, spiritwear sales that raised more than $1,000 for classrooms, and student-created displays and posters celebrating inclusion.
Thompson said staff provided activity packets and sensory tools for K–5 students and organized sensory stations for the autism walk; she noted the walk was rescheduled and that the district wants the event to be sensory-friendly. She reported that on any given day the district serves about 70–75 students with autism-related services and that the district has five designated teachers and 21 designated support staff focused on autism supports, while acknowledging that many other staff play a role in inclusion.
Board members praised the work and a state preliminary audit report that had recognized district practices. Thompson said a formal state report should arrive in June and that she would bring it to the board when available.
