Local Students Celebrate Autism Acceptance With Bubbles & Music

April 16, 2024

Students at Keystone Elementary School in the Croydon section of Bristol Township celebrated Autism Acceptance Day earlier this month with a Blowing Bubbles for Autism event.

More than 1,000 students participated in the event by blowing bubbles to the tunes of friendship-themed songs like Israel Kamakawiwo’ole’s rendition of “Somewhere Over the Rainbow,” “You’ve Got a Friend in Me” by Randy Newman, “True Colors” by Justin Timberlake and Anna Kendrick, and Bruno Mars’ “Count on Me.”

Bubbles not only provide a visual and sensory pleasure but also offer therapeutic benefits to individuals with autism. They can enhance visual tracking skills, encourage social interaction, improve hand-eye coordination, and help with focus and attention, according to the Bristol Township School District.

Autistic support teacher Amy Mattis highlighted the event’s importance at the school.

“Keystone is committed to fostering a culture of inclusivity and empathy,” said Mattis. “Promoting appreciation and celebration of differences is essential for creating a more inclusive and accepting society. It is through activities like this one that we can help nurture a culture of understanding and respect for all individuals, while creating a more inclusive and harmonious school community, where everyone feels valued and accepted for who they are.”

The Blowing Bubbles for Autism initiative began in New Jersey over 20 years ago and is celebrated annually in April to emphasize the importance of acceptance and community. The event now draws participation from tens of thousands of people each year.

According to the nonprofit organization Autism Speaks, April is recognized as World Autism Month. The observance was established to increase awareness, combat misconceptions about autism, and address the frequent exclusion of individuals with autism from various activities.

Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a developmental disability stemming from variations in brain development. Individuals with ASD typically experience challenges in social communication and interaction, and may exhibit restricted or repetitive behaviors and interests. Additionally, they often possess unique learning styles, movement patterns, or attentional focuses, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

According to estimates from the CDC’s Autism and Developmental Disabilities Monitoring Network, approximately 1 in 36 children is identified with ASD. ASD is reported to affect individuals across all racial, ethnic, and socioeconomic groups.