CRESTVIEW — Antioch Elementary School students in Amanda Poulsen's and Felisha Carnley's classrooms are raising awareness for people with autism spectrum disorders.
April is Autism Awareness Month and April 2 is World Autism Awareness Day.
Students wore blue to school April 1 to kick off Autism Awareness Month. They also created acrostic poems to celebrate the many individuals with ASD in our community and the world beyond, a spokesperson said.
"Our classes wanted celebrate our friends and family members who have an autism spectrum disorder. Antioch also has many students with autism who are valued members of the school community," a school spokesperson said.
"Students became more interested through reading the book, 'Rules' by Cynthia Lord. The book explores the complex relationship of a young girl and her brother who is a person with an Autism Spectrum Disorder.
"Students have learned much about autism throughout the school year as students and teachers share what they have experienced in regard to life on the spectrum.
"Mrs. Poulsen is the parent of an adult son with autism and several classmates have family members with autism. We wish to see a world that includes all, regardless of differences!"
NOTE: This story was updated April 7, 2016 to include the students' names and more information about how they're honoring family members and fellow students who are autistic.
This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Antioch fourth graders learning about autism