April Newsletter
Non-Profit Community Impact Program
April is Autism Awareness and Acceptance Month
According to a study on the CDC website, one in 39 North Carolina Children are diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder. During the month of April, we challenge you to learn more about Autism and the impacts it has on our community. We also challenge you to accept these precious children for the unique person they are. Currently children in Rowan County can not access evidenced-based therapy called ABA. Partners In Learning is working to change that fact by developing an ABA program to serve children in Rowan County. Please check out our downtown window display at 212 Main St. Salisbury, to learn more about Autism and see on of our sweet students who overcomes the challenges of Autism everyday. We are so proud of him for his hard work!
Know the Signs
  • Not respond to their name by 12 months of age
  • Not point at objects to show interest by 14 months
  • Avoid eye contact and want to be alone
  • Have trouble understanding other people’s feelings or talking about their own feelings
  • Have delayed speech and language skills
  • Repeat words or phrases over and over (echolalia)
  • Get upset by minor changes
  • Have obsessive interests
  • Flap their hands, rock their body, or spin in circles
  • Have unusual reactions to the way things sound, smell, taste, look, or feel
  • Only interacts to achieve a desired goal
  • Has flat or inappropriate facial expressions
  • Does not understand personal space boundaries
How To:
"Why Routines are Important"

by Candy Andruzzi, PIL Teacher

 "Routines are important because they help children understand the balance between enjoyable and functional tasks. When children have a consistent schedule and daily routine it prepares them for a predictable day and reminds them that they are safe, secure, and loved."

Did You Know?
Before Krissy released her 4 & 5 year olds for the class egg hunt, she gave them one rule: There are more than enough eggs for everyone. We are a family first. As you get your eggs be aware of your friends and make sure no one is without.

"We are a classroom with many differently abled friends", Krissy explains. "I wish I had taken video. I honestly wanted to cry. Every single child worked together checking in on each other and sharing their own stash. Inclusion Works!"
In The News
"Words have power, and Partners in Learning for the past decade has participated in a movement to end use of a word that can be used to deride 40% of its students.
The “R-word” has a decades-long history of being used to degrade people with special needs. Partners in Learning Executive Director Norma Honeycutt says for some people it has become part of their every day language."
Free Trainings for Parents & Professionals
*provided by a grant from Smart Start Rowan*
Acknowledgement
Teachers of the Month
We are so proud of our, teacher elected, Teachers of the Month.
PARTNERS IN LEARNING
Novant Site: 519 Best St., Salisbury
Catawba Site: 2386 Robin Rd., Salisbury
Our mission is to model the highest quality learning environment that stimulates families and the community to provide optimal growth and development of children.