In honor of Autism Awareness Month, Digital Media Arts students at the high school have taken a creative and meaningful step to support their peers on the autism spectrum. Under the guidance of instructor Mrs. Williamson, students developed animated social stories designed to help children with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) navigate everyday situations.

The project combined the basics of script writing and animation with a focus on the unique learning needs of children on the spectrum. Students learned how to create clear, visually engaging stories that address social and behavioral challenges in a relatable and respectful way.

To ensure the content was both relevant and supportive, Mrs. Williamson collaborated with ASD teachers throughout the district. These educators helped generate story topics that would be practical and beneficial in the classroom setting. The resulting animations covered a range of scenarios—from asking for help, to taking turns, to managing changes in routine.

“This project was a wonderful opportunity for our Digital Media Arts students to apply their skills in a way that truly helps others,” said Mrs. Williamson. “The collaboration with our ASD teachers brought authenticity and purpose to the work, and our students were incredibly thoughtful in their approach.”

The animated social stories will be shared with ASD classrooms across the district and made available to families and educators who support children with autism.