Flagler School Board Recognizes April as 'National Autism Acceptance Month' at March 25th Meeting

The Flagler School Board recognized the month of April as “National Autism Acceptance Month” in a proclamation at its March 25th School Board meeting.

Flagler Schools, along with other agencies like Vincent’s Clubhouse and the Autism Society, work together to build an inclusive community where autistic individuals are embraced and supported so they can achieve a high quality of life. 

“We work tirelessly to ensure that our students have an opportunity to be included alongside their neurotypical peers, and we are making great strides in that,” said Dr. Kim Halliday, Flagler Schools' Director of Exceptional Student Education (ESE) at the March 25th School Board meeting.

“We’re also very blessed to have a great relationship with Vincent’s Clubhouse…to collaborate on a variety of things,” Dr. Halliday said.

Some of these collaborations are to provide Autism understanding in schools, the use of behavior-assistive technology, as well as augmentative and alternative communication. Transition planning is also provided at Flagler Schools, which allows ESE students to participate in the community and find work at local businesses like AdventHealth and Publix.

Autism is a complex developmental condition that affects a student’s ability to interact, communicate, and progress. It includes many subtypes. As of 2023, Autism impacts one in every 36 children in the United States. It is the fastest-growing developmental disability in the world. 

The Autism Society was first founded in 1965 and held its first National Autism Acceptance month in 1972. This month emphasizes the need for public awareness to promote acceptance, celebrate the differences, and be more inclusive toward autistic individuals around us.

Autism supporters understand the need to foster awareness and acceptance to ignite change. To improve opportunities for people with Autism, organizations cater to more than 600,000 individuals on the Autism spectrum to have access to tools like community partnerships with organizations, digital and print resources, and events and referrals to spark empathy and inclusivity.