Griffith got their superhero outfits out on Sunday for the Walk For Autism, in a bid to raise awareness in the community and raise money for the ASPECT School in Yenda.
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With 115 registrations, the event raised around $2000 and more donation pledges, and Griffith Autism Support Group’s (GASG) Dene Beltrame said while it was an “awesome” amount, the walk was about more than money.
“The walk made the children feel special and that was the main aim – they were pretty chuffed!” Ms Beltrame said.
“It was terrific, and I think next year it will be even better.”
The walk was part of the Autism Awareness week, and two participants, primary school teacher Kaitlin Hart and student Noah Beltrame, share their experiences with autism.
Teaching those with autism
Being a member of GASG, Kaitlin Hart said she was excited to be a part of the walk, with the bonus of dressing up.
“As a primary school teacher and have taught students with autism two years in a row now, and I taught Noah last year which was an absolute delight,” Ms Hart said.
She says teaching autistic students is about learning their little quirks and learning needs, but ultimately the experiences enrich the classrooms.
“It does make a difference having a student with autism, and I have found it really brings the students together,” Ms Hart said.
“They get to know all about the other person and it really adds something to the class. I don’t have any students classed as autistic this year and I feel like I’m missing a little spark in the classroom.”
She says since she has been teaching, she has seen a much deeper focus on inclusion, and her past student Noah Beltrame feels the same.
Experiencing autism
“Highschool is great! I have lots of friends, and I am getting there with the lessons, they are pretty easy, and my favorite is PDHPE or HSIE.”
He says his time in primary school was a great experience, and he has learnt more about himself and others.
“The other kids at school treated me pretty good, like I was a part of a family,” Noah said.
He says being a bit different from the other kids can bother him at times, but as he gets older he and others have become more accepting of his differences.
“Sometimes I feel a bit different, and I am treated a bit differently, and it makes me feel disappointed in myself,” Noah said,
“As I get older it’s getting better and it makes it easier when people understand me.”
Awareness in Griffith
His mother Dene Beltrame and president of GASG says the acceptance in the Griffith community has skyrocketed in recent years.
“There is still a bit of stigma, and the thing to combat it is education – training people and explaining sometimes those with autism can’t control the way they do things and how they feel, just to have a bit more patience with them and guide them,” Ms Beltrame said.
The Walk for Autism aimed to create awareness of and raise money for the new ASPECT school in Yenda, and to get people together and acknowledge people’s difference.
“What the ASPECT school is going to do now, as unfortunately not a lot of kids have been enrolled, is they are going to be running programs within the community to create more awareness and resources, so that is what a lot of money raised today will go towards,” Ms Beltrame said.
The school will be running programs over the next 12 months, including one for 8 – 14-year-old boys and girls running on Saturdays, as well as programs for the wider community.
“There will be days where you can make resources for the kids like visuals that the young ones need. There will be lots of different activities. It will be fantastic for them and the community.”
For any questions related to programs and workshops, head to the Griffith Autism Support Group’s Facebook page and ask to join.
“I always load what’s happening and coming up and all the things happening in the community. If they don’t have Facebook they can ring me on 0411 718 763 and I am more than happy to answer any questions about services available,” Ms Beltrame said.