Acushnet Elementary School was awarded a communication board from the Doug Flutie Jr. Foundation for Autism. (Photo Courtesy Acushnet Public Schools)
ACUSHNET — Superintendent Dr. Paula Bailey and Principal Leah Chesney are proud to share that Acushnet Elementary School was recently awarded a playground communication board from the Doug Flutie Jr. Foundation for Autism.
A playground communication board is a durable, weather-resistant display installed in a public play area as a way to help and empower non-speaking or minimally verbal children to communicate by pointing to one of the symbols, pictures, or words printed on the board.
Acushnet Elementary School special education teacher Sierra Canastra applied for a grant in late September through the Doug Flutie Jr. Foundation for Autism to receive the communication board. The foundation awarded the grant in mid-October.
“My hope was to help make a difference so that every child may feel seen, heard, and included,” said Ms. Canastra. “This communication board is more than just a tool. It represents connection, friendship and belonging for so many students who may sometimes struggle to be understood.”
The 3-foot-by-5-foot communication board will soon be installed at the playground at Acushnet Elementary school close to the playground equipment, so it is visible and accessible for students and other children from the community who come to play there.
“These communication boards will support individuals in initiating conversations with peers, navigating social situations, and expressing themselves,” according to a statement from the Doug Flutie Jr. Foundation for Autism. “Play is a critical part of children’s development. Individuals with autism and other developmental delays commonly experience social deficits, which inhibit their ability to communicate effectively with others. Visual aids support a wide range of learners, including verbal, neuro-typical peers and promote inclusion of people with differing abilities.”
The Playground Communication Board grant program through the Doug Flutie Jr. Foundation for Autism is currently being made available to every city or town in Massachusetts.
Superintendent Dr. Bailey and Principal Chesney expressed their gratitude for the donation, and they shared their excitement about what it means for students and families in the community.
“This grant from the Doug Flutie Jr. Foundation for Autism and the installation of the playground communication board is a meaningful step toward creating a more inclusive environment for all our students,” said Principal Chesney. “Thank you to the Doug Flutie Jr. Foundation for Autism and to Ms. Canastra for her efforts to obtain this grant for our community.”
“Our kids deserve this,” Superintendent Dr. Bailey said. “It reflects our commitment to equity, access, and inclusion for every learner in our school. We’d like to thank the Doug Flutie Jr. Foundation for Autism for making this possible, along with Ms. Canastra for her efforts to obtain this grant. This board will help ensure that every child has a voice on our playground.”
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A child uses a playground communication board to point to a word and image, demonstrating how the tool helps non-speaking or minimally verbal children express themselves. (Photo Courtesy Doug Flutie Jr. Foundation for Autism)
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