Shepard celebrates Autism Week

Shepard High School, 13049 S. Ridgeland Ave., Palos Heights, celebrated Autism Acceptance Week on Monday, April 1 through Friday, April 5.

By Kelly White

World Autism Acceptance Week is organized by the National Autistic Society in the first week of April and aims to raise awareness about the challenges autistic people face across all areas of society.

Not missing out the opportunity to celebrate all-inclusion was Shepard High School, 13049 S. Ridgeland Ave., Palos Heights.

“We hope that students benefited on feeling and understanding the acceptance of all students including those with neurodivergent needs,” Meghan Lyons, School Psychologist for Special Programs at Shepard High School and Adult Transition Program at Shepard, said. “We hope that our school climate continues to grow in the direction of positive inclusion for all students with disabilities and special needs.”

Community High School District’s Adult Transition Program serves age 18 through 22-year-old adult district graduates with disabilities and/or special needs from Eisenhower, Richards and Shepard high schools.

“The programs felt it was important to education today’s students on Autism Awareness as it is a diagnosis that is extremely prevalent in not only our school district but also our everyday lives,” Lyons said. “We want those students who are diagnosed with Autism to embrace their diagnosis and feel proud to acknowledge their neurotypical needs and traits. We also want to educate the school community on Autism and promote inclusion throughout the buildings.”

Autism, or autism spectrum disorder, refers to a broad range of conditions characterized by challenges with social skills, repetitive behaviors, speech and nonverbal communication. According to the Centers for Disease Control, autism affects an estimated 1 in 36 children and 1 in 45 adults in the United States today.

During Autism Acceptance Week Shepard and ATP spread awareness through a spirit week for the entire school. Each day’s theme was a representation of community and unity for the buildings to raise Autism Acceptance.

The week’s theme days consisted of a wear red day, a fun hat day, a tie dye day and a pajama day.

All grade levels, along with teachers and administrative staff members were invited to join in the activities.

Students reported they enjoyed the themes and the meanings behind the and were both happy and excited to be recognizing Autism through a week-long celebration – focusing on all-inclusion and togetherness.