By Maddy Vitale
Ocean City Primary School students got an extra treat during recess Tuesday. They got to wave a giant wand, make big bubbles and watch them float in the air.
They did it as part of Autism Awareness Day, which kicks off National Autism Awareness Month.
Autism awareness groups have been at the forefront of helping people understand autism, explained Lorraine Baldwin, a learning consultant for the Child Study Team in the Ocean City School District, whose grown son has autism.
Baldwin was on hand during “Bubbles for Autism,” and watched the children enjoy the awareness event.
“We aren’t calling it a disability,” she said of autism. “It is more of an ability. Everyone has strengths.”
As part of the Autism Awareness Day, children also wore blue shirts.
Children giggled and made bubbles for a few minutes before teacher Randy Kohr told them it was time to collect the wands.
Although students and teachers didn’t talk about autism during recess, there was a discussion about what Autism Awareness Day means earlier in the day.
Teachers spoke with the students in the different classrooms, Baldwin noted.
“Teachers explained a lot in the classrooms about autism today and what today represents,” Baldwin said. “Today is about autism awareness.”
She said of the district, “Ocean City is a wonderful school district. The district is all about inclusion.”
Autism is a general term for complex disorders of brain development. Depending on the severity of the disorder, autistic people may have difficulties with social interaction and communication. They may also engage in repetitive behavior.
Janice Annarelli is an aide for the Special Education children at the Primary School.
She has worked in the district for 13 years.
“It seems that more children are on the autism spectrum,” Annarelli said of how autism is described from low to high functioning.
According to statistics, autism has become more prevalent in recent years, but doctors don’t have a clear answer as to the reasons.
Statistics from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention show that on average, one of every 59 births in the United States involves an autistic child, compared to one in 125 just 10 years ago.
