Students from Shaker High School were recently given the opportunity to learn about how to support their neurodivergent peers, both in and out of the classroom. The group participated in a new initiative from Bring on the Spectrum (BOTS), called A.D.A.P.T., which stands for Actions to Draw All People Together. A.D.A.P.T. was developed to help build shared space among neurotypical and neurodivergent students, aiming to create environments that encourage true inclusion. To help support these efforts, Assemblymember Phil Steck awarded BOTS $30,000 in state budget funding. Assemblymember Steck was on hand at BOTS on Monday, Oct. 20 to present the funding to the group.
“Bring on the Spectrum continues to be a leader in promoting inclusion and understanding across our community,” said Assemblymember Steck.
Assemblymember Steck thanked BOTS Executive Director Lisa Audi for her work in supporting our neurodiverse populations throughout the area, reflecting on the benefits that the new A.D.A.P.T. program will bring to the community.
Following the check presentation, Audi thanked Assemblymember Steck for his support, sharing that he has been a proponent of the program since they opened in March 2022.
“We want our individuals to have the best opportunity to live independently in our community,” said Audi. “But we also want the community to have the tools to connect with our participants. They want to connect with you, they are just challenged on how to continue those conversations. A.D.A.P.T. helps give us all more tools in our toolbox for that connection.”
After her speech, the group of SHS students from the Students Organized for Service club and three members of BOTS were invited to attend a class with Psychologist Dr. Gina Cosgrove and Special Education Teacher Vanessa Gillick. The class focused on the history of autism and neurodivergence, as well as frequent behaviors associated with it. The class offered students direct experiences and methods for neurotypical students to best support their neurodivergent peers. The class started with a video of how a sound is to a neurotypical student, following it up with the same video and how it sounded to a neurodivergent student. The difference was eye opening for many in attendance. Following this, students were offered a variety of interactive activities to practice some of the skills they had learned.
The session concluded with Cosgrove and Gillick thanking the students for their time. The group then reflected on some of the biggest takeaways from the session, including how they learned ways to be the voice for all students, ask questions to facilitate conversation, and more.
“I think it’s important for young people to realize that in a world where everything is pretty self-centered and everyone is focused on what they’re doing to kind of take a look outside, see the other perspectives,” said senior Joelle Hannoush. “You never know what somebody is going through and you never know what your words or what your actions make an impact on somebody.”
