Conshohocken Elementary School students welcome SEEN members

The many ways in which people can exchange words, thoughts, and feelings without speaking was demonstrated by the members of the Pennsylvania-based advocacy group called SEEN (Spellers Empowering Education for Nonspeakers).

A panel of adults visited with students and shared information about what it’s like to live with autism and apraxia (which is an inability to perform a purposeful action). The students learned that the adults visiting them are nonverbal, but that has not stopped any of them from communicating with others.

Each of the panelists used letter boards, keyboards, and other assistive devices to answer questions for the students. Some of the questions submitted by the students included whether or not the panelists liked to draw, play sports, or when they knew they had autism. The second-graders who listened to their presentation shared the Coyote hand sign when they had something in common with the panelists.

Gregory Tino, who is a published author whose books are available on Amazon and are geared toward educating people about autism and apraxia, was on the panel and explained through a written statement that people with autism are not all that different from everyone else - a fact that was reinforced when he shared his love for cheeseburgers and pizza and students responded vigorously with their Coyote hand signals. 

“I think autistic people may seem scary at times when we make funny noises, but don’t be afraid,” he said. “We would love to be your friend. Always remember to be kind to people with disabilities.”

Classrooms at Conshohocken Elementary School were provided with Mr. Tino’s latest book, “The Caged Bird,” through a grant from the Colonial School District Education Foundation.

This is the third year that members of SEEN have visited Conshohocken as part of World Autism Month, which is observed in April. Becky Cosgrave, instructional aide, has a connection to the group and has known Gregory for many years.