Matthew Henson Middle School is having a blue April, and the school couldn’t be happier. Henson staff and students are celebrating Autism Awareness Month. There are door decorating contests, bulletin boards crafted by students and teachers, blue (the official color of autism awareness) T-shirts are everywhere and hand-drawn posters are taped around the school. Money raised through candy purchases at lunch will go toward Autism Speaks, an autism advocacy group. “We want to grow acceptance about autism and highlight how everyone has unique ability levels,” Elizabeth Medina, special education department chair and a math co-teacher, said.
“The kids are really engaged.” The students are encouraged to share their uniqueness that they want to celebrate. “We all fit together,” Medina said. Eighth graders Lucas Maguire, left, Faith Jackson and Marlon Charles work on a poster together to highlight Autism Awareness Month at Henson.