MacArthur speaks up for autism

“It’s OK to be different,” MacArthur High School junior Katelyn Safoschnik said. “We all bleed the same color blood.”

For the past five years, faculty and students from MacArthur High School in Levittown have been extremely supportive in various volunteer programs and philanthropy endeavors. But one particular cause that has the school buzzing every spring is autism awareness. Spearheaded by social studies teacher Vincent Causeman, a panel of students come together during the end of March to create multiple art projects, raise money and educate other students. On April 1, students kicked off National Autism Awareness Month by “lighting it blue” and selling light blue T-shirts to the entire school to help create an understanding for the disorder.

“The kids play a vital role in our autism awareness events here at MacArthur,” Principal Joseph Sheehan said. “I think having the Americans with Disabilities Act program put into our school really opened their eyes to seeing that. One thing I think they realized is as different as they are is as similar as they are.”

The Autism Society of America is an organization that works to influence public policy, with an emphasis on education, Medicaid and employment — issues which are all vital to individuals with autism and their families. The Autism Society relies upon a proactive approach to advocacy by working alongside policy makers, elected officials and their staff to advance the well being of all living with autism. 

At the state and local levels, Autism Society affiliates advocate for individuals and families impacted by autism in communities across the nation. Each year, volunteers and staff from around the United States come to Washington, D.C. to meet with their national elected officials and to promote a legislative agenda that improves the quality of life of each individual diagnosed with autism.