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Children at Rich Center for Autism get down and dirty
By Denise Dick
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Outdoor Healing Garden in front of Fedor Hall on the Youngstown State University Campus.
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Zachary Donatella, 9, of Poland, works the ground under the guidance of teacher Vanessa Sabo outside the Rich Center for Autism. Children in the program spent time this summer in the Outdoor Healing Garden in front of Fedor Hall, Youngstown State University.
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Teacher Casey Annko helps Jordan Walker, 7, of Niles as children at the Rich Center for Autism plant impatiens in the Outdoor Healing Garden. Working in the garden helps children strengthen muscles, improve motor skills and improve teamwork, program leaders say.
By DENISE DICK
YOUNGSTOWN
Children at the Rich Center for Autism were really digging in this summer.
They spent time in the Outdoor Healing Garden in front of Fedor Hall on the Youngstown State University Campus.
Preston Donatella, 7, of Poland, stepped on his shovel Wednesday to break up the hard earth.
“I’m digging for the flowers,” he said.
Preston said he enjoyed being in the garden.
“I can find bugs and snakes,” he said.
Preston was working with teacher Vanessa Sabo to plant fuschia impatiens under the Fedor Hall sign Wednesday.
“Is that deep enough?” he asked.
After placing the pot in the hole, the teacher continued digging.
Sabo said gardening helps with muscle strengthening and coordination and helps the children when they return to the classroom, too.
“It gives them a sense of accomplishment,” Sabo said. “They can look at it and say, ‘I did that.’”
The garden started last summer after the center received a $3,000 grant from the Kennedy Family Foundation, a component of the Community Foundation of the Mahoning Valley.
Tricia Perry, the center’s events coordinator, said that before the garden’s installation, the children’s outside activities were limited to walks around campus.
Characteristics of children with autism manifest in behavior excesses and behavioral deficits.
“Sometimes, the classroom can be sensory overload,” Perry said.
Being outside offers some relief, providing a change of scenery and escaping the demands of the classroom, she said.
Trent Frisbee, 7, of New Springfield, prepped a spot for peach impatiens, scraping the earth with a garden spade.
“I’m digging,” he said.
J. Georgia Backus, Rich Center director, said the garden helps children’s motor skills, teaches them about plant life and fosters teamwork.
“I just can’t say enough about it,” she said.