Autism Acceptance Month

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By Alexis Turan, Access & Inclusion Intern

Did you know that Autism Awareness Month was founded in April 1970 by Bernard Rimland, Ph.D., a psychologist and autism researcher. He chose the month of April to coincide with his son’s birthday and the start of spring!

The Autistic Self-Advocacy Network (ASAN) has called April “Autism Acceptance Month” since 2011, stating, “Acceptance of autism as a natural condition in the human experience is necessary for real dialogue to occur.”  What is autism? Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) refers to a broad range of conditions characterizes by challenged with social skills, repetitive behaviors, speech and nonverbal communication. According to the Centers for Disease Control, Autism affects an estimated 1 in 36 children and 1 in 45 adults. Autism can look very different for each person that is Autistic. Each person with Autism has distinct set of strengths and challenges. 

What are common signs?

What should I do if I believe my child has autism?

Parents and care takers can visit “Learn the signs, act early” which is a website that highlights ways to learn more about developmental screenings and how to talk with your pediatricians. Based on a pediatrician’s recommendation a child can be put through evaluations that are done by children’s psychologists, psychiatrics and others that specialize in development and behavior. Receiving an Autism diagnosis may be a life-changing experience, but you are not alone. Support systems and connections are everywhere within the Special Education community to support you, your family and child.

Some FUN spring activities you and your child can do at home!

We have officially entered spring and you can’t celebrate spring without flowers and the outdoors. Together you and your child can complete many spring floral crafts that can promote fine and gross motor skills through art! If you have a child that love to explore the great outdoors, exploring gardening in the summer is a great way to not only get outside but be curious with nature. Going for nature walks is a great way to get children curious about their natural surroundings, plants, animals and other small critters. You can even create a quick scavenger hunt for your child with items found right in your backyard and have them go on a nature hunt! For those that prefer to learn about spring through books here are two wonderful books you can read to your child in the comfort of your own home.

My Friend Earth

This book dives into Mother Nature and how she goes through different seasons. It talks about the different things that she is capable of, like making lots of wind or snow. This book has themes of seasons and earth. Use for future classroom: this would be a fun intro book for a unit on earth.

Little Raindrop

This is a tale about Little Drop, fearful about her journey through the water cycle. As she evolves and overcomes challenges, she builds reliance and even begins to enjoy what each new day brings. Momma Moon in the story is the trusted guide in a child’s life who provides comfort and reassurance. Reflective questions are embedded in the book.

Below are some wonderful resources that were used in this article. Take some time to not only read but try and do some of the suggested activities at home as a family!

Autism Speaks

The Deron school of New Jersey

5 History Facts About Autism Awareness Month

Autistic Self Advocacy Network (ASAN) is a nonprofit organization run by and for autistic people. The links below are from ASAN

Spark for autism

Play Ball!

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By Will Kawalec, Cultural Program Educator 

Along with the promise of warmer weather, blooming flowers, and more sunshine, the month of April brings with it the start to the great American pastime, of baseball! For millions of Americans, the start of the new baseball season is a holiday in itself. Opening Day brings with it nostalgia of watching, and playing baseball as children, and sharing memories in sport. In honor of Opening Day this April, this month’s Culture Corner will dive into Buffalo’s baseball history, specifically the Buffalo Bisons! The Bisons were founded as a Major League Baseball team in the National League way back in 1879 and remained on the highest level of professional baseball until 1885. During their years in the National League they had modest success, with 19th century stars with idiosyncratic names like Pud Galvin, “Orator” Jim O’Rourke, and Charley “Old Hoss” Radbourn. The Bisons would eventually have 5 players be inducted in the Baseball Hall of Fame.

In 1886 the second iteration of the Buffalo Bisons was formed, this team would play in Minor League Baseball, over the next century. During this hundred-year period the Bisons, would play and thrive in the minors, playing primarily within what would come to be called the International League. The Bisons would have 10 different major league affiliates, play in 5 different stadiums, and win 10 league championships! Buffalo’s deep ties to baseball were cemented with this second version of the Bisons, who would be the home team for 14 eventually hall-of-famers. None more notable than Johnny Bench who would go on to become the best-hitting catcher in baseball history and a NL Rookie of the Year, 2-time MVP, 2-time World Series champion, and 14-time All-Star. Aside from this success the Bisons also made their mark in civil rights, becoming the first Triple-A franchise to have a Black Manager with their hiring of Hector Lopez in 1969. The next year sadly, brought the end to this version of the Bisons as they were moved to Winnipeg, during the 1970 season, putting an end to over a hundred years of professional baseball in the Queen’s City.

The Bisons story, however, does not end there, as in 1979 the Buffalo Bisons were restarted under the same name, and Buffalo was given the gift of professional baseball once more. This third version of the Bisons is the team our city currently knows and loves; and has provided fans with baseball in the Spring, and Summer, at their current home Sahlen Field, which is in walking distance from Explore & More! These Bisons continued the success of the previous iterations of Buffalo baseball, winning 3 championships, having future Hall-of-famer, Jim Thome on their roster, and several major contemporary stars come through the ranks in route to the major leagues (think, Vladimir Guerrero Jr., and Bo Bichette). Aside from numerous on-field successes, the Bisons remain one of the highest attendance grabbers in all minor league baseball and hold the record for the most attendance in a single season of minor league baseball (1991). These successes sparked ideas for bringing a Major League team back to the City of Good Neighbors, an idea that has percolated into the minds of Buffalonians for decades. These Major League ideas that blossomed during the Covid year when the Toronto Blue Jays played home games at Sahlen’s field, bringing the highest level of professional baseball to Buffalo for the first time in well over a century! With all of Buffalo’s baseball history it’s easy to get excited about Opening Day in Buffalo this Spring!

What does “April” mean?

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By Mara Gordon, Play to Learn Facilitator

Did you know that April takes its name from the Latin word aperire, meaning ‘to open’, just like the daffodils do during this month all around us! April 1st used to be the start of the new year in the Janus calendar, but that was changed to January 1st when the Gregorian calendar became popular, (check out the January article to learn why we call it the Gregorian calendar).

Spring is just beginning here in Buffalo, and April is full of amazing events that bring us out of our houses when the weather is nice or even not-so-nice! Here are Explore & More, we will be celebrating the Total Eclipse on Monday April 8th and then April 12th is our monthly Au-Some Evening. And even when it’s a rainy day, there’s so much to do here at the new Broadway Market or in our fun studio spaces. Try starting a new planner or calendar to make time for some new events or opportunities, both as family time & for some alone time!

As the seasons change and flowers begin to bloom, take the time to enjoy the outdoors and form new traditions that bring you & your family closer together. Take a walk in a park or just in your own neighborhood to appreciate all the new life blossoming around you. We look forward to seeing all the growth and positive changes over this year at Explore & More!

Sources:

“What’s in a Name? Months of the Year.” The British Museum, www.britishmuseum.org/blog/whats-name-months-year. Accessed 31 Mar 2024.

“April Fools’ Day” The History channel
https://www.history.com/topics/holidays/april-fools-day. Accessed 31 Mar 2024.

Feeling Crafty this Spring?

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By Jacalyn Modrzynski, Lead Educator

Who is feeling crafty this spring? Let’s have fun making a unique craft using construction paper in an unusual way! When we use paper we often use it as a flat canvas for the rest of our artwork, but paper can be more than just flat. Paper can be springy, curly, and it can even hold weight! What can you do with your paper?

For this craft you’ll need:

  • This template or draw your own
  • Construction paper
  • Scissors
  • Coloring supplies
  • Glue stick

For this craft you can:

  • Print out this template or draw your own
  • Color in the turtle
  • Cut out strips of construction paper
  • Fold each end of the construction paper
  • Glue ends of the construction paper to the edges of the circle

For extra fun:

  • See what weight your paper can hold
  • Fold up your paper accordion style
  • Roll up your paper on a pencil for a cute curly effect

Click here to download and print your own Turtle Template!

Rainbows: The bridge between the natural and super natural

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By Mara Gordon, Play to Learn Facilitator

Did you know that rainbows are an optical illusion? That means that rainbows don’t have a physical form or have a specific location in the sky.

Rainbows happen when light hits water droplets at a 42 angle. This causes the light to experience refraction (also known as redirection) and reflection.

As the light enters a water droplet, it is refracted before getting reflected out. Then, as this reflected light leaves the droplet, it is refracted again, at multiple angle.

Rainbows are actually full circles; We only see them as arcs from the ground due to our perspective. If an astronaut in space saw a rainbow on Earth, they would see a perfect rainbow circle!

Rainbows have a lot of social and cultural significance around the world. Traditionally, rainbows are portrayed as bridges between the natural and the supernatural. In Norse mythology, a rainbow called the Bifrost connects Earth with Asgard, where the gods live.

In the ancient beliefs of Japan and Gabon, rainbows were the bridges that human ancestors took to descend to the planet. One of the most popular stories about rainbows comes from Irish legends that there is a pot of gold at the end of every rainbow that is guarded by leprechauns.

In more recent history, rainbow flags have become a symbol for the LGBTQ+ community and represents acceptance and the beautiful diversity of nature. Rainbows are an amazing natural phenomenon with strong historical and cultural significance, but they’re also just really beautiful & fun!

Just like people, every rainbow is unique and looks different to every person who sees it. Here at Explore & More, we love rainbows because they help us celebrate all the amazing & different people in the world.

As we get ready to start celebrating spring holidays like St. Patricks’ Day, be on the lookout for rainbows and get ready to experience all the beautiful colors that make up our world!

Field trips are back! Please be aware that it will be busier than usual.