Autism Awareness Month and a Word from Our Teachers
Welcome to April!
April means different things for different people. For some, it’s the official start of spring. Others are just waiting on those April showers to bring May flowers.
The pranksters of the world have had April 1st circled for quite some time.
For us here at PS Academy, April means one thing: Autism Awareness.
April is Autism Awareness Month and April 2nd is Autism Awareness Day, so you can see why we love the month of April so much.
But just what is Autism Awareness Month and Autism Awareness Day?
History of Autism Awareness Month
April has been Autism Awareness Month for almost 50 years now. The Autism Society originally launched the initiative as National Autistic Teenager’s Week back in 1972 and the event took various shapes over the years and has evolved into Autism Awareness Month.
The event has always striven to “spread awareness, promote acceptance, and ignite change.” This year, the Autism Society has come out with a new campaign, titled “Celebrate Differences”.
This campaign was designed knowing that the number of teens with autism or other exceptionalities has nearly doubled in the last decade. Because of this, there are a growing number of teens from various walks of life who are looking for acceptance and to be celebrated for their differences.
We at PS Academy notice how each student is unique and different, which is one of the reasons why we offer different clubs for our students. There is no student blueprint and we want to promote those various interests and likes for every student that walks through our doors.
What About Autism Awareness Day?
Autism Awareness Day came after Autism Awareness Month, approved by the United Nations in December of 2007. The tiny Middle Eastern nation of Qatar was the first country to propose the idea.
The day is just one of seven specific health days recognized by the UN and encourages countries around the world to come together for recognition, acceptance, and treatment.
This year, participants are called to “Light it Up Blue” in recognition of the day. Landmarks, public sites, buildings, and more will be lit up blue to recognize the special day.
We’re not saying you can’t wrap yourself in blue Christmas lights, but it’s much easier to wear blue on the day instead.
The Goals and Objectives of this Month
April is all about awareness, but what exactly should everyone be aware of?
While the day and the month are separate events, they both promote the same ideas and goals.
Both are about promoting acceptance, recognizing differences, uniting communities and increasing understanding of autism.
The general public, at times, does not have all the necessary resources and education to understand autism or what can be done to create a better environment for those with autism.
The day and month are about recognizing that more and more people are diagnosed with autism each year. It’s about understanding that just because a teen has autism, doesn’t mean they won’t be fit for the workplace in the future. It’s about creating safe environments for those with autism to thrive.
Sometimes, it can be difficult to know where to start. Do you just turn to Google or a friend? Thankfully, the Autism Society has a website dedicated to sharing resources and helping spread awareness on social media, diving into ways to promote the foundational pillars of the Autism Awareness Month.
How We Follow these Goals at PS Academy
At PS Academy, we work to make sure every teen feels accepted for who they are and we do our best to celebrate their differences.
Not only do we have a large number of clubs mentioned above, but we also offer a number of electives so students can probe their way around various activities and discover their interests.
At PS, we group students by ability instead of age and work with a collaborative approach to give teens the ideal learning environment. We look to unite communities together by bringing in those from various backgrounds and walks of life while promoting a safe and happy academic space.
Let’s Hear From Our Teachers
We are fortunate to have so many excellent teachers here at PS Academy who work tirelessly the whole year.
Teaching can often be a tiring job that requires putting others before yourself day in and day out, but that doesn’t mean that the job isn’t fun and exciting.
We asked a few of our teachers why they love working at PS Academy and here are their answers:
“I love my job and the students! Very proud to say I work for PS Academy Arizona!”
-Lisa H.
“It has been a joy and pleasure to work at PS Academy Arizona. I always jump out of bed and look forward to spending my day with the team and students. Absolutely makes my dad.”
-Pauline H.
“I love my job. I love working with amazing students and staff every day.”
-Lindsey B.
“So glad we have the best people in charge and the most amazing students. I couldn’t imagine my life without PS.”
-Sasha M.
“The support at this school is phenomenal and along with the amazing students and staff as a whole, we sure have some rockin’ students and team. It definitely makes coming to work such a positive experience. All combined makes a strong and amazing school for sure.”
-Jillian P.
“I don’t know what I would do if I didn’t have these students to keep me in check! Sure appreciate all the opportunities and support PS offers!”
-Marlee M.
“I am grateful to be employed at PS Academy Arizona!”
-Colleen P.
“Coming to work is enjoyable because everyone is so kind, caring, and easy to work with.”
-Laura B.
“I also feel so grateful to be here and couldn’t think of any place I’d rather be. I love working with you all!”
-Michelle M.
“I don’t think it’s lost on any of us the amount of blood, sweat, and tears that everyone has invested to make PSA successful. I love working at PSA. It feels like a family. I’m so joyful and proud to be a part of something so special.”
-Tom B.
We are so fortunate to have teachers like these who love working with our students.
Will you help spread awareness of Autism Awareness month?
We have created a handful of resources like videos, infographics and social media posts that you are free to use during this month. Help us get the word out and build a more accepting, kinder community, where people with exceptionalities are not only accepted, but embraced!
