Blacklight Bubbles for Autism, Battle Hills Students Participate in Unique Event
Every year students and staff at Battle Hill Elementary School participate in Bubbles for Autism, an event held annually across the country to help spread awareness and acceptance for those on the autism spectrum where communities gather to blow bubbles. Autism can be compared to living inside of a bubble, as it is often difficult for individuals affected by the disorder to express themselves and relate to their peers. The idea behind the bubble-blowing concept is to burst those bubbles and bring acceptance and awareness to the disorder through education. Faces 4 Autism is a 501 © 3 registered non-profit organization comprised of parents, siblings, and professionals who know awareness is the beginning of action. This year, Ms. Jessical Mongiovi along with her student Council Co-Advisor Ms. Allison Brehm took a different spin on the event introducing “Blacklight Bubbles for Autism.”
The two spent much time researching information about Autism. Ms. Monjiovi came across articles discussing the effects of fluorescent lighting on people with Autism. Fluorescent lighting has shown to have stressful effects on student learning, especially in regards to autism, ADD, ADHD and other developmental delays. Blacklight can have calming effects. By combining neon colors, in doses, with the calming effects of blacklight it offers the participants sensory anchors. Students had the opportunity to go into the school’s gymnasium where blacklights were hung and different glow in the dark objects where placed throughout the room. Students jumped from station-to-station creating bubble art and sensory bottles with different neon paints and beads. The lights and the colors excited the students and they were eager to show off their creations to teachers and fellow classmates in the hallways.
Ms. Monjiovi shared “Our goal is to create a population of caring, worldly students who appreciate and respect differences. The students should know how important it is to be aware of the world around them and to care about one another. The staff at Battle Hill unites in the idea that giving back is the best way to celebrate success. We strive to instill this same belief in our students. “