Autism Awareness

In the month of March, the Millburn Ed Foundation’s (MEF) Board of Trustees met with two Special Education teachers, Meghan Stenziano and Jennifer Stracquadanio, who are doing outstanding work with neurodivergent kids in school as well as in the larger Millburn community. Millburn school district is lucky to have them because they go above and beyond to help the businesses in town and residents better understand the needs of these students. What they do lies at the core of what MEF stands for: inclusion. So, we would like to publish excerpts from the interview MEF had with them during this Autism Awareness Month. Read below to understand the outstanding work they have been doing.

1. Tell us about your time/tenure at Millburn. How long have you worked in the school district? 

Meghan joined Millburn Township Public Schools as an Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) Special Education Teacher in 2015, followed by Jen in 2016 as an ABA Special Education Teacher and then as a board certified behavior analyst. Throughout their tenure in Millburn, both have been dedicated to expanding opportunities for students within the ABA program, enhancing support structures, and advancing inclusion initiatives for students across the district. Their ongoing efforts have significantly contributed to fostering a more inclusive and supportive educational environment for all students.

2. What motivates you to come to work everyday?

Our motivation comes from seeing the progress and growth of each student, no matter how big or small. Being able to witness moments, where a student learns a new concept or skill that they’ve worked so hard to achieve is incredibly rewarding. All of our students have their own way of experiencing and interacting with the world. By working with the school community to help educate and increase their understanding of autism, we work towards increasing opportunities for integration of neurotypical and neurodivergent kids. That really encourages us to come to work each day. 

3. Tell us about the initiative you both started. How has it been received by this town?

This initiative started in collaboration with two high school teachers, Emily Blumstein and Sophie Cohen, who recognized both the successes and challenges associated with community integration for students with disabilities within the district. Inspired by the positive outcomes of our inclusion program in schools, we sought to expand this work by engaging with Explore Millburn, with the goal of fostering greater acceptance and inclusion across the broader Millburn/Short Hills community.

Our focus is on advancing awareness and education about autism, while promoting the understanding of necessary accommodations that can facilitate more inclusive participation in community activities. We have been encouraged by the enthusiastic support we’ve received from Explore Millburn and local businesses, as well as the eagerness of the community to learn and take action in making Millburn and Short Hills more accessible for all individuals.

4. How do you plan to scale?

To bring our initiative to life, we are actively engaging with local businesses to arrange individual or group webinars. During these sessions, we provide an overview of our objectives and offer tailored recommendations on how they can create a more inclusive environment. We collaborate closely with each business to develop customized materials that address their specific needs, which may include social narratives, visual cues, menus, or other relevant resources. Once a business has established a partnership with us, they will be awarded a window logo to display, signifying their commitment to fostering an inclusive, welcoming atmosphere for all members of the community.

5. What is your message to the readers of this? 

An autism diagnosis can feel isolating for individuals and families. By creating spaces where families feel understood, valued, and supported, we can create a sense of belonging and provide the resources and connections needed to thrive. It’s not just about giving individuals tools to succeed in the world, but also about reshaping the world around them to be more accepting and accommodating. Together, we can create a community where individuals and their families feel included and supported.

MEF wishes both the teachers and their endeavors a huge success. They make our schools and our town a very special, and inclusive place. We would like to thank them for everything they have done and plan to do. You can follow them on Instagram (@millburn.autism.alliance) or reach out to them via email at millburnautismalliance@gmail.com.