As Role Models, Students Gain Autism Awareness

Several students have had the opportunity to see how autism affects their peers firsthand through a special role model program currently in place at the school.

The Kiel School Role Model program is lead by special education teacher Colleen Bruscino and involves first grade "role models" working one-on-one with students in the Kiel autism class on projects.

"These role models participate on a rotating basis to help facilitate motor (skills), social (skills) and art imitation. Mrs. Bruscino, Mrs. Miller, and teacher assistants Mrs. DeMaio, Mrs. DeLillo and others work (with) the students, facilitating the process," Kiel Principal Jodi Mulholland said. "These meetings help Mrs. Bruscino’s students as well as the first and second grade students. Our student role models will develop a sensitivity and understanding of those 'differently-abled.'"

Last week, the role models were helping their peers make paper bag puppets. Bruscino said the students typically work on the same project several times so that they can become more comfortable with their role models while working on a familiar task. The students work together one day a week for about 40 minutes.

The Kiel Role Model program was piloted last year with second grade role models only, Bruscino said. Depending on the day, up to five students from the autism class are involved in the program, which was expanded this year to include first graders.

The students, who began the program on Feb. 3, will continue to work together through the end of the month when the school will participate in a "Blowing Bubbles for Autism" event on April 26.

Bruscino said she is pleased that the school has been supportive of the program because she feels it is beneficial for the autism class students, but almost moreso for the role models.

"The role models are gaining a greater understanding and awareness," she said.