A new community service project by Warren County High School students is focusing on ways they can help children with autism.
Family, Career and Community Leaders of America (FCCLA) members will be spending time at Hickory Creek Elementary with autistic children. They will be working on teaching with fun, games and crafts that stimulate sensory and fine motor skills.
“I want to be a teacher when I graduate,” said Ella Hale, a freshman at the school and new member in FCCLA. “I don’t know if this is the area in which I want to teach, but I’m looking forward to working with autistic children.”
Hale will be sharing this teaching spotlight with fellow FCCLA member Emma Reynolds. However, the project was the endeavor of the entire class.
“We though this would be a wonderful project, both for us and the students at Hickory Creek,” said Hale.
Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and autism are both general terms for a group of complex disorders of brain developments. These disorders are characterized, in varying degrees, by difficulties in social interaction, verbal and nonverbal communication, and repetitive behaviors.
ASD can be associated with intellectual disabilities, difficulties in motor coordination, and physical health issues such as sleep and gastrointestinal disturbances. Some people with ASD excel in visual skills, music, math and art.
In the visit to Hickory Creek, students will be stimulating sensory and fine motor skills with crafts.
“We have numerous craft activities planned,” said Hale. “We dyed noodles so they could make necklaces and bracelets. We have little cups to show them gardening techniques. I think they will enjoy seeing the tomato plant sprout up later on. We will also be giving them snacks.”
Gak is back. Hale says they made ooey-gooey gak out of Elmer’s glue, warm water, food coloring and borax.
“Gak is fun,” she said. “It’s ooey and gooey. You can make it any color. We went with bright colors for the children.”
So students outside FCCLA can show support for children with autism, puzzle pieces have been made out of construction paper for them to write their names on. The pieces will be hung on the halls around the school.
FCCLA will be looking into making weighted vests to offer future support, literally.
“Children with autism wear weighted vests when they need comforting,” said FCCLA advisor Ann Terry. “The vest acts like a hug around them to comfort them. If we can, the vests will be made in Family and Consumer Science class.”
As the leaders in this project, Hale and Reynolds will be taking it to the FCCLA district competition in March at Central Church of Christ.
“We have 16 students total going into the district competition in various categories,” said Terry. “I have a lot of confidence that my students will do well this year.”
In competition, club members must show exhibits and give presentations about their community service projects for judging. First-place winners will advance to the state competition.