Mount Vernon Schools Turn Autism Awareness, Acceptance Into A Party

MOUNT VERNON, NY — Better understanding our neighbors goes a long way towards accepting our neighbors — when it comes to autism awareness, a festive gathering can go a long way.

The first annual districtwide Autism Awareness and Acceptance Day was held at Mount Vernon Honor Academy.

The festivities served as a party to celebrate autism acceptance. The events, complete with a DJ, were conceived to help show autistic people in the community that they are accepted and deserve to be celebrated, according to school officials. The event was also intended to help raise awareness that there are many ways that the community can support those on the autism spectrum.

And there was plenty of fun to be had as well.

Kids frolicked in bounce houses and an inflatable obstacle course. Popcorn, cotton candy and pizza helped keep participants' energy levels up. There was a face-painting station, a makeshift pop-a-shot, and the Mount Vernon Fire Department came with their trucks to entertain the kids.

In addition to fundraising at the event, t-shirts were sold across the district in support of the creation of the district's Special Education Parent Teacher Association (SEPTA). SEPTA’s goal is to create more representation for special education students and their families within their schools.

"We were very excited to hold a districtwide Autism Awareness and Acceptance Day event," Acting Superintendent K. Veronica Smith said. "Our district serves students of all abilities and backgrounds equally, so it is fitting that we are doing whatever we can to support our students on the spectrum. I’m looking forward to seeing the ways that our scholars are supported with the funds raised."

The impressive initiative grew from humble beginnings after teachers with autistic friends and family began doing their own awareness and acceptance activities in their individual schools. For the last three years, starting at Benjamin Turner Middle School, some schools held events during Autism Awareness Month to raise money for charities that supported autistic people. Once they got attention throughout the district, they expanded it to a district-wide event.

This year's event began as a t-shirt fundraiser and transformed into a full day of celebration.

"My son was diagnosed with autism at 20 months, and I’ve been doing autism events all my life," said Donald Emerson, teacher at Edward Williams School. "Three years ago, I had an autism day at BTMS, and when I came to Edwards Williams, I brought it with me, and they embraced it. It has been an incredible team effort to bring this all together."

The personal connection to the cause was evident to all who participated, not just in the success of the event, but in the contagious love and care that was on display.

"We’re very passionate about all the kids on the spectrum and what we do with them," said Ainy Betancourt, teaching assistant at Rebecca Turner Elementary School. "Personally, I have a child on the spectrum, and my coworker who started this with me, Don, has a 30-year-old [on the spectrum]. So, we’re very passionate about it all. We usually do things within our buildings. Don started something within his building, and everyone was really receptive to learning more about ASD [autism spectrum disorder]."