LU disability office, student club foster inclusion and community during Autism Acceptance Month

With 1 in 31 children in the United States diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder, Liberty University strives to ensure every student with autism feels accepted, included, and understood on campus. In honor of Autism Acceptance Month, Liberty’s Office of Disability Accommodation Support has partnered with the LU Autism Advocates club to host several events throughout April.

To commemorate the start of Autism Acceptance Month, the Freedom Tower was lit up in gold, the color that represents autism, on April 2.

“Gold is inspired by its chemical symbol, which is AU on the periodic table of elements, and it serves as a fitting connection for the word autism,” Dr. Ester Warren, senior executive director of ODAS, explained. “Gold represents value, acceptance, and pride, reinforcing that autistic individuals are inherently valuable and worthy.”

Also on April 2, ODAS hosted a panel discussion in the Montview Student Union, Alumni Ballroom, titled “Understanding Neurodiversity and Building Belonging at Liberty University.” Panelists included Jillian Greer, an honors student with autism and a member of LU Autism Advocates; Toy Hine, director of Special Needs Ministries and Care at Thomas Road Baptist Church; Dr. Ginny Cashion, assistant professor of Psychology at Liberty and mother of a daughter with autism; and Dr. Lucinda Spaulding, director of Special Education at University of Lynchburg. Each speaker shared their personal experiences of advocating for acceptance and inclusion, focusing primarily on academic spaces and church ministries.

“The panel helped us gain a deeper understanding of what autism is to discuss ways that we might create a more inclusive and accessible campus informed by a biblical worldview,” Warren said. “We’re all created in God’s image, and we all have inherent worth and value. This panel helped us learn how we can truly demonstrate Romans 12: 4-5 and what that looks like in everyday interactions with individuals with autism.”

On April 30 from 4-6 p.m., ODAS will finish out the month with an Autism Prayer Walk that is open to the Lynchburg community. The walk will start at the bottom of the Freedom Tower and proceed through the Academic Lawn. Four different prayer stations will each highlight a different aspect of autism.

“Our hope and prayer is that through these events, our campus community members will have a greater awareness of autism which will foster a greater appreciation and acceptance of one another,” Warren said.

Warren, who has a son with autism, also supervises LU Autism Advocates, a club under the Student Government Association that encourages community among students with autism through social activities, seminars, and self-advocacy opportunities at biweekly meetings.

“The point of our club is to create a safe space for people with autism spectrum disorder and other neurological conditions as well,” said freshman writing student Adam Wilson, events coordinator for LUAA. “We’re trying to create a space where they can feel safe to be themselves, where they can feel seen and respected and not just tolerated but genuinely welcomed and advocated.”

On April 8, the club painted Liberty’s beloved Spirit Rock in front of DeMoss Hall with a pastel gradient, an infinity symbol, and the words “Happy Autism Acceptance Month.” Junior psychology student Joelle Frazee, the club’s president, said she hopes the message can spread inclusion and awareness to people who pass by.

“Our goal is for others to have the right understanding of what autism really is, and what it really looks like,” she said.

“I want people to be willing to foster belonging outside of the club atmosphere, like in the classroom, on our campus, in the church community. We want to really have the spirit of inclusion, especially living out the model of the body of Christ that we find in 1 Corinthians.”

Frazee said as a student with autism, she’s found community and belonging on Liberty’s campus.

“I have autism, and when I came to Liberty this club was one of the first places where I felt like I truly belonged,” she said. “I found people who were like me.”

Frazee has mentored other students through ODAS’ Beyond Barriers Summer Transition Program.

LUAA also held a Tie-Dye Night on March 31 and a College For A Weekend panel on April 10 for prospective students. The club meets biweekly in the Jerry Fallwell Library and will end its Autism Awareness Month efforts with a Luau Party at the LU ONE Lounge at 6 p.m. on April 28.