Pinedale Elementary School has been designated as a certified natural wildlife habitat by the National Wildlife Federation.
Autistic students at Pinedale, along with Joan Maberry, a paraprofessional at the school and the organizer of the habitat, created the area for birds and other wildlife to provide the animals with food, water, shelter and a place to raise their offspring.
The habitat has been an area for the autistic students to visit and explore, providing them with the opportunity to focus on one specific thing, which can be difficult for individuals diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder.
Students watch the birds with binoculars, which helps them focus. The binoculars, along with trees and monetary contributions, were donated by local organizations.
Mayberry says many teachers and parents have seen improvements in some of the autistic students’ communication and socialization skills since the habitat was created.
The autistic students at Pinedale are not the only ones enjoying the habitat; other students at the school, as well as community members, frequently visit.
Not only will the backyard habitat attract various types of birds – students have already seen mockingbirds, blue jays, hummingbirds, woodpeckers and cardinals, to name a few – but it will also attract other animals, such as butterflies and frogs.
"Building the habitat has been a rewarding experience for everyone," Maberry says. "It delights me to see how much the children enjoy the habitat and how happy it makes them."
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