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WEST VALLEY CITY — Inside brightly colored plastic Easter eggs, David Sopena Escalera found something he wasn't expecting: white and yellow gak.
The Whittier Elementary School student, who was wearing a Dr. Seuss-themed T-shirt that said "Why fit in when you were born to stand out," enthusiastically dug the sticky gak out of the egg with a large plastic spoon.
"Good job, David," said paraeducator Michelle Nielson.
The sensory activity, which helps students diagnosed with autism to hone their fine-motor skills, was one of several activities during the school's observance of World Autism Awareness Day on Friday.
Special education teacher Camille Gregory said the events were built around a Dr. Seuss theme and a lot of fun, such as playing with shaving cream, sticker books and knocking down stacked cups with a beanbag. But the activities were also designed with specific education objectives in mind.
"A lot of our kids struggle with fine motor (skills). So we're working on those fine-motor skills, making sure they can do daily living tasks. A lot of kids when they come to me, they may not have the skill to button or zip their clothing. Fine tuning that skill is super important," said Gregory, who teaches students in grades 4-6.
Another objective is communication. "So we may give them part of the activity," she said, referring to a tub of brightly colored rice but nothing to play with rice.
"So they'll request something appropriately because a lot of kids with autism really struggle with communication," Gregory said.
Next door in the special education kindergarten classroom, teacher Jenifer Christensen had remnants of shaving cream on her face, her glasses, even her hair.
But it was worthwhile, she said, because Friday was a party with a purpose.
"The purpose of today's event is to celebrate, not only autism, but to celebrate differences and similarities between all groups of people. It's one of the most joyful days of the year," Christensen said.
While the students largely view the events as fun, they also help to raise awareness that "sometimes people act differently and to still welcome those differences," she said.
"Sometimes you don't know the full situation and to not judge a situation when you're not in it. That is a big thing that occurs with autism. If you're not in it, it can look strange from the outside, and they're just normal little kids," Christensen said.
Melanie Blackburn, a contract paraeducator, said the school's World Autism Awareness Day "is one of the biggest days of the year. It's bigger than Christmas for us."
Blackburn, who has worked with the same group of students for multiple years, said she is heartened that society in general has become more aware and compassionate toward students with disabilities.
For her, the day's events provide time to celebrate the individual progress of Whittier's students with disabilities.
"The progress they've made is very visible. It's very touching, and it's something that's worth celebrating," Blackburn said.
