When April hits, so does a very important time for the neurodivergent community. Autism Awareness Month promotes the inclusion, acceptance, and support of autistic individuals during April.

To special education teacher Chad Stiener, this month means a lot. Back when he taught at a non-Oakdale affiliated specialized program for students with special needs, the school would put on an event called “Light it up blue” where students had the opportunity to celebrate by decorating the school in blue lights along with games, face painting, and a moon bounce for the students.

“My grandmother was a special educator and my father was an English Language Learner teacher,” he shared, “I fell in love with special education while being an assistant in a classroom years ago and decided that was the subject I wanted to teach.”

When it comes to teaching his students, he tries to build a relationship with each student to find out how they learn. “Some students need that personal attention often while some just need a check in to see how things are going. It varies from student to student and we all try to differentiate our instruction to meet each students needs the best way we can,” Steiner stated.

However, when it comes to the unique challenges that each student faces it can get overwhelming especially with the different caseloads, paperwork, and the fact that some teachers are not always in the same classroom everyday as the students. But to Steiner, all the stress and hard work is worth it when he is able to help students find their voice and have moments where they just “get it.”

“Just hearing them say “yes” or using a communication board effectively to tell or ask me anything was such a joyful moment to watch. Also, just seeing students overcome those difficulties in school as well as in their community is amazing, such as graduation from high school or having a wonderful job in the community is always amazing to see,” Steiner voiced. 

Lucas Garcia, a 9th grade student with autism, has succeeded by surpassing the expectations placed upon him and has even managed to reject the mold of society to become his true self by going through life on his own terms and always being his authentic self.

When it comes to what he wishes people understood about him: “I wish they understood my outsider’s perspective on the world. I wish they could look through my eyes, the eyes of an outsider, and see how exclusive they are. How much information they have that I [who does not use social media] do not have. How foolish their quarrels, how warped their perceptions. and most importantly, how the high school expectation of conformity is a reverse of the real world, which prizes diversity and all of the preps who can and do oppress people through unnecessary cruelty.”

When it comes to the future of autism awareness, “I hope that more people [with autism] can be really helped. In young years they get loads of help but over time that help slowly fades away, so when they finish high school and transition into adulthood, they can do stuff on their own.” Garcia stated.

As April draws to a close, the work for autistic individuals to thrive in society continues; showing that acceptance and advocacy is so much more than just a monthly occurrence.