Teachers in Action_ Autism Speaks

Autism Speaks : 

Autism Speaks Robert Adamowicz RAdamowicz@knights.ucf.edu 12/03/11 EEX 4242

Autism Speaks : 

Autism Speaks Autism Speaks was founded in 2005 by Bob and Suzanne Wright. Today it is now the largest Autism science and advocacy organization in the United States. They are dedicated to funding research for: cause, treatment, prevention and a cure for autism. Orlando alone raised over $240,000 in the event that I participated in.

Engagement Activities : 

Engagement Activities Autism Awareness was the community need that was addressed in this project that I was involved with. I did not complete a total of fifteen hours, however I was at the event for its entirety from 6am (setup) to close to 2 pm (when the event ended) I was actually turned on to this event from a neighbor of parents, who’s son was diagnosed with autism. I was very surprised by the huge turnout with fairly little advertisement of the event.

Participant Demographics : 

Participant Demographics This walk/benefit is for those that are impacted by Autism. According to IDEA, Autism is included by the passage that describes a “child with a disability” as: “with mental retardation, hearing impairments (including deafness), speech or language impairments, visual impairments (including blindness), serious emotional disturbance, orthopedic impairments, autism, traumatic brain injury, other health impairments, or specific learning disabilities;” There were a few thousand at the event. There may have been a couple hundred adult and children with autism. Source:http://www.asgc.org/ed-definition_of_disabilities.htm

Service in Action : 

Service in Action

Service in Action : 

Service in Action

Perceptions of Differences : 

Perceptions of Differences Altamonte Springs Sparklers, a special needs cheerleading group, was one of the biggest highlights before the walk started at noon.

Connections to Your Course : 

Connections to Your Course I was enrolled in EEX 4242 with Dr. Grillo I believe that this course help me understand not only students with disabilities but people in the community that are adults. One man that we met was adult with Autism, who was fearless and went up to anyone and everyone. It was very sad to see some people shy away from him and avoid him. My friend Tate and I probably talked to him for 30 minutes and it was great to see him smile and talk about everything and anything. In a thirty minute conversation, I learned everything from his Special Olympic basketball team to his girlfriend and his family.

Civic Engagement : 

Civic Engagement One aspect of service-learning is to show the power and importance of being civically engaged. What is your perspective on civic engagement and volunteerism now? It is important to volunteer in a cause that you have strong feelings about. As a teacher, people and students look up to you. I actually saw multiple students from Tuskawilla Middle School, where I am currently interning at. What purposes do you think civic engagement serves in society, for all citizens including those with disabilities? It allows people to help out others. It takes a lot of manpower to complete an event like this.

Civic Engagement : 

Civic Engagement What thoughts do you have about service-learning as a method of learning? It is great because it is a learning by example. Some students will only learn kinesthetically and this helps them tremendously by getting them into the field and helping. Did this experience motivate you to be more engaged in the future? Yes, I plan to continue to help with Autism Speaks in the future. Would you encourage teachers and students to embrace service-learning in the future? Why/why not? Yes, because of the fact that it is learning beyond the classroom, and a lot of students will learn this way.

Final Thoughts & Reflections : 

Final Thoughts & Reflections What could others do about working toward greater understanding, empathy, and opportunities for persons with disabilities? What could you do to help others become involved? One thing that I believe I can do for next year would be to help promote. What role do teachers play in educating students, parents, and communities about more than just academic topics? Are teachers truly paramount to the "greater good” of society? Teachers play huge role in the education of not only students but other in the community.