LINDEN PUBLIC SCHOOLS, NJ -- At Linden Public Schools, we believe that neurodiversity is a strength, and every student deserves to be recognized, supported, and celebrated for who they are. This April, during Autism Acceptance Month, we go beyond awareness—we ignite understanding, inclusion, and empowerment.
On April 3, 𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐚𝐝𝐦𝐢𝐧𝐢𝐬𝐭𝐫𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐯𝐞 𝐛𝐮𝐢𝐥𝐝𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐬𝐭𝐚𝐟𝐟, 𝐥𝐞𝐝 𝐛𝐲 𝐋𝐢𝐬𝐚 𝐎𝐫𝐦𝐨𝐧, 𝐃𝐢𝐫𝐞𝐜𝐭𝐨𝐫 𝐨𝐟 𝐓𝐫𝐚𝐧𝐬𝐩𝐨𝐫𝐭𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐩𝐫𝐨𝐮𝐝 𝐦𝐨𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐫 𝐨𝐟 𝐭𝐰𝐨 𝐚𝐮𝐭𝐢𝐬𝐭𝐢𝐜 𝐜𝐡𝐢𝐥𝐝𝐫𝐞𝐧 𝐰𝐡𝐨 𝐣𝐨𝐮𝐫𝐧𝐞𝐲𝐞𝐝 𝐟𝐫𝐨𝐦 𝐊–𝟏𝟐 𝐫𝐢𝐠𝐡𝐭 𝐡𝐞𝐫𝐞 𝐢𝐧 𝐋𝐢𝐧𝐝𝐞𝐧, kicked off the month with a heartfelt moment of awareness and advocacy. Lisa’s powerful story reminds us that acceptance is more than a message—it’s a mission.
And the creativity bloomed at School No. 6, where our incredible 5th graders teamed up with Mrs. Zeigler’s kindergarten class for a tie-dye celebration! Each swirl of color in their shirts represents unity, love, and the vibrant spectrum of autism.
𝗔𝗻𝗱 𝘁𝗵𝗮𝘁’𝘀 𝗷𝘂𝘀𝘁 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗯𝗲𝗴𝗶𝗻𝗻𝗶𝗻𝗴. Throughout April, schools across the district will continue highlighting Autism Acceptance Month with creative activities, inspiring lessons, and meaningful conversations that help students understand and embrace the many ways we are all unique.
𝐀𝐧𝐝 𝐚 𝐬𝐩𝐞𝐜𝐢𝐚𝐥 𝐤𝐮𝐝𝐨𝐬 𝐭𝐨 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐢𝐧𝐜𝐫𝐞𝐝𝐢𝐛𝐥𝐞 𝐩𝐚𝐫𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐬 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐜𝐚𝐫𝐞𝐠𝐢𝐯𝐞𝐫𝐬 𝐭𝐡𝐫𝐨𝐮𝐠𝐡𝐨𝐮𝐭 𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐋𝐢𝐧𝐝𝐞𝐧 𝐜𝐨𝐦𝐦𝐮𝐧𝐢𝐭𝐲 𝐰𝐡𝐨 𝐰𝐚𝐥𝐤 𝐭𝐡𝐢𝐬 𝐣𝐨𝐮𝐫𝐧𝐞𝐲 𝐰𝐢𝐭𝐡 𝐥𝐨𝐯𝐞, 𝐬𝐭𝐫𝐞𝐧𝐠𝐭𝐡, 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐮𝐧𝐰𝐚𝐯𝐞𝐫𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐚𝐝𝐯𝐨𝐜𝐚𝐜𝐲. 𝐘𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐫𝐞𝐬𝐢𝐥𝐢𝐞𝐧𝐜𝐞 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐝𝐞𝐝𝐢𝐜𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐦𝐚𝐤𝐞 𝐚 𝐩𝐨𝐰𝐞𝐫𝐟𝐮𝐥 𝐝𝐢𝐟𝐟𝐞𝐫𝐞𝐧𝐜𝐞 𝐢𝐧 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐥𝐢𝐯𝐞𝐬 𝐨𝐟 𝐲𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐜𝐡𝐢𝐥𝐝𝐫𝐞𝐧 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐢𝐧𝐬𝐩𝐢𝐫𝐞 𝐚𝐥𝐥 𝐨𝐟 𝐮𝐬 𝐭𝐨 𝐟𝐨𝐬𝐭𝐞𝐫 𝐚 𝐦𝐨𝐫𝐞 𝐢𝐧𝐜𝐥𝐮𝐬𝐢𝐯𝐞 𝐰𝐨𝐫𝐥𝐝. 𝐖𝐞 𝐬𝐞𝐞 𝐲𝐨𝐮. 𝐖𝐞 𝐡𝐨𝐧𝐨𝐫 𝐲𝐨𝐮. 𝐖𝐞 𝐜𝐞𝐥𝐞𝐛𝐫𝐚𝐭𝐞 𝐲𝐨𝐮.
Autism Acceptance Month begins with World Autism Awareness Day on April 2, a United Nations-sanctioned event that calls on us to see the full humanity, potential, and dignity of every individual on the autism spectrum.
As we evolve past outdated symbols, we embrace the rainbow infinity—a powerful emblem of the limitless diversity and strength within the autistic community.
As Superintendent Dr. Atiya Y. Perkins observed, "At Linden Public Schools, we don’t just acknowledge differences—we celebrate them. Autism Acceptance Month is a reminder that every child brings infinite value, potential, and light to our schools. Together, we are building a community where all students feel seen, supported, and empowered to thrive."
Let’s continue to light it up with love, awareness, and action and build a world where infinite possibilities are the norm, not the exception.