Armstrong’s Student Accessibility Resource Center (SARC) hosted an event for Autism Acceptance Month. 

They handed out free snacks, stickers and more to anyone who stopped by the table. Students were encouraged to wear red to show their support.

“Today, we are tabling for Autism Acceptance Month, which is in April,” said Jonathan Davis, the assistant director of SARC on the Armstrong and Liberty campuses. “We are just hoping to share more information regarding autism diagnosis and individuals on the autism spectrum, so we have a couple different things here from our wheel, where students can spin for a chance to win a prize of some of our SARC swag items, from tote bags to stress balls to water bottles and so on.”

The questions asked on the wheel covered general information about autism spectrum diagnosis and autism representation in the media, such as in TV shows or famous actors. 

Along with cookies, SARC was also giving out fact sheets to share information on how students can receive accommodations through their office.

Marisa Costello, a third-year radiography major, has a brother with autism. She stopped by the table to learn more.

She used examples from her personal life to share what she would like more people to know about in regard to autism.

“It could help if people learn more about how to work with people with autism because from my personal experience, you know living with my brother and stuff, a lot of times he was able to do things but people just wouldn’t let him because they knew about his diagnosis and just assumed he couldn’t do a lot of things, especially with his job because he works as a nurse,” she said. “They even hired him and almost fired him the same day when they found out he was autistic, because they figured, ‘Oh, well, he may not be able to do anything.’”

Costello said she’s “heard that it’s harder for girls to get diagnosis since they ‘socialize better.’”

Sasha Simpson, a third-year health sciences major, said more people should know about autism “to support others.” 

Aaron McGirt, a first-year electrical engineering major, also stopped by the table to learn more about autism. 

“I do have friends that are on the autism spectrum, and I just want to get more insight on what it is,” said McGirt.

McGirt also thinks “it’s good to have accommodations” available for those with autism. 

Makayla Kornegay, a first-year philosophy major, thinks that autism is “heavily stigmatized” and has a “negative connotation.” 

“I feel like a lot of people with autism don’t even realize they have it, or other people don’t realize that they have it,” she said.

The Autistic Self-Advocacy Network promoted the word “acceptance” over “awareness” in 2011 to “change the conversation around autism, shifting it away from stigmatizing ‘autism awareness’ language that presents autism as a threat to be countered with vigilance,” they said. 

SARC offers various resources to support and create an inclusive campus experience students with disabilities. Visit their website to learn more.