Jason Cone said something about Lenoir County Schools’ approach to autism was unique.
The behavior psychologist with Behavior Consultation and Psychological Services — the company that partners with LCS autism specialists — has worked with the school system for six years and said officials understand that both social and academic skills have to be addressed in autistic students.
“A lot of times when we go into schools systems, the county is really concerned about their academic growth,” Cone said. “Lenoir County is not only concerned about that but understands that for students with autism, they have a social communication disorder.”
He said it’s important these students learn social skills and ways to communicate, and the earlier, the more effective.
“That’s just as vital as teaching them those math skills or those science skills,” Cone said. “I think (LCS) does a good job of understanding that with their students.”
LCS has recognized National Autism Awareness Month this April by selling bracelets, posting flyers and addressing the topic during this month’s school board meeting.
However, the most significant acknowledgement was hiring a second autism specialist to serve the 106 children in the school system identified with autism.
“We need to be in classrooms and the schools even more,” said Danielle Stroud, LCS Exceptional Children’s program director. “We can only do but so much. We’ve added another position, so we’ve doubled our resources.”
Julia Shaw started as an autism specialist Monday to join Betty Pelletier.
As the only previous designated autism personnel in the LCS, Pelletier was responsible for individualized learning plans for students, classroom observations after teachers made referrals and home visits — all of which she was often accompanied by a representative from Behavior Consultation and Psychological Services.
The team also prepares specialized learning plans for each student with autism using evidence-based research.
“Every child with autism is different,” Pelletier said. “We need to make the public aware. If you see this child screaming and having a fit in the mall, they may not just be a bad child having a temper tantrum. This child may have autism and all the lights and noises are too much for him to handle.”
The schools try to identify students with autism by his or her eighth birthday, unless there is a clear indication of the disorder.
Some preschool students are considered developmentally delayed, and although they’ve showed signs and characteristics of autism, they haven’t been identified as autistic.
Stroud said there are 14 signs of autism that are good indicators for parents, including inappropriate laughing or giggling or echoing words and phrases.
“(Parents) know we’re bringing them the resources and we’re doing the work to help find solutions for their kids,” she said. “If we’re truly going to be successful, the home and the school need to be on the same page and following the same kinds of programs.”
Dana Woods is a parent who took the initiative to start an Autism Society Chapter after her 9-year-old son Twhy Craig was diagnosed with autism five years ago.
“The school has helped,” she said, “but I feel as a parent, he needs extra. We can’t just rely on the school; you have to do outside research.”
She said Twhy has been in various therapy classes and she networks with other parents during appointments.
She noticed there were limited autism resources when she moved back to her hometown of Kinston after living in Georgia, which motivated her to start the Lenoir-Jones Counties Chapter of the Autism Society.
“As a parent, I like being an advocate,” Woods said.
Jessika Morgan can be reached at 252-559-1078 or at jessika.morgan@kinston.com. Follow her on Twitter @JessikaMorgan.
Facts about autism:
- Autism now affects 1 in 88 children
- Autism is the fastest-growing serious developmental disability in the U.S.
- Autism costs a family $60,000 a year on average
- Boys are nearly five times more likely than girls to have autism
- There is no medical detection or cure for autism
Source: National Autism Society and Lenoir County Schools