Bessemer students have fun, promote autism awareness

By P.J. GLISSON

[email protected]

Bessemer - The smell of sugar and the sounds of kazoos filled the halls of A.D. Johnston Junior and Senior High School during a Thursday morning breakfast that was held to raise awareness of autism spectrum disorder.

Blue is the signature color of autism, so blueberry pancakes were in abundance as nearly 200 kids from all grades gathered in the school's multipurpose room to enjoy the treat, along with each other's company. The kazoos just added to the fun.

According to autismspeaks.org, ASD is defined as "a broad range of conditions characterized by challenges with social skills, repetitive behaviors, speech and nonverbal communication."

"In a world where you can be anything, be kind," stated the message on t-shirts of servers and other peers supporting the event. Other students wore varying hues of blue.

Jamie Stiffarm, who teaches peer-to-peer instruction at the school, was in charge of the event, which she said began in 2017.

Stiffarm trains persons in how to help students with autism achieve their educational goals. She said the training also aims at other students who have experienced trauma due to their parents' divorce, etc.

The whole day was expected to be lively due to additional activities planned.

"Every hour, they have the opportunity to win prizes," said Kathy Johnson, high school secretary.

A paper blue lightbulb on a hall wall offered the answer to one question posed by the loudspeaker: "About 40 percent of children with autism don't speak."

Stiffarm said students also had the opportunity to have blue nail polish applied to their nails. Girls' nails received a peace sign, and only boys' thumbs were painted blue.

In the afternoon, the students were to receive a snack of blue jello made into puzzle pieces, and a table within the multipurpose room displayed framed pictures of puzzle pieces, which are a graphic element in the promotion of autism awareness.

"They spent a lot of time and energy raising awareness for people who may feel they don't fit in," said science teacher Dave Rowe, who was among many teachers participating in the event.

Bella McGeshick, who was one of the students serving pancakes, said the school promoted recognition of bullying with a similar pie social in the fall of 2018.

According to Stiffarm, students at Washington Elementary School also were dressed in blue. She said they received age-appropriate packets made by peers to help them understand ASD.

In addition, students at Wakefield-Marenisco K-12 School also dressed in blue as a gesture of support.

Stiffarm said experts still are not clear on the specific cause of autism, although she said speculations have been made about modern-day exposure to food chemicals, questionable water, etc.

She said Wayne State University in Detroit is working on new ways to assess persons with ASD, as well as new ways to teach them.

April 2 is World Autism Awareness Day, but Siffarm said Bessemer's event ran early because the district will be on spring break next week.