Autistic students have a field day in Aberdeen BY JOHN SUTTON Correspondent PHOTOS BY ERIC SUCAR staff Above: Timmy Daone, 6, waves Old Glory during the "Salute to America" field day event held by the Bayshore Jointure Developmental Learning Center in Aberdeen on Friday. At right: Adam Leventhal, 7, shows his excitement as he crosses homeplate during a kickball game Friday. ABERDEEN - As Bob Baroska sat in his office, he was congratulated on a job well done after an event which concluded his fifth year operating the Bayshore Jointure Commission. In response, Baroska simply responded, "It's all about the kids." This attitude was common among all present Friday for the Bayshore Jointure Developmental Learning Center's "Salute to America," a day for some 50 Bayshore area autistic students to participate in activities with their classmates and parents. Some of the activities included a patriotic parade, kickball and singing "Take Me Out to the Ballgame" and "Yankee Doodle Dandy." Each child and class were given the opportunity to shine as they came out with separate activities. Lorainne Dowling, a teacher's assistant at the school, helped the students participate in the day. She felt that it was a great chance for both the children and the parents to spend time with others who are in their same situation. "This gives the parents a chance to see their children interact with other kids. It is something that they normally do not get to see their children doing," Dowling said. Ellen Gray, of Aberdeen, was among the parents assisting their children in the activities that day. Her son, Dylan, just completed his fourth year in the school. When looking for a place to send her son, Gray felt that the Bayshore Jointure Commission provided the best atmosphere for her child to thrive in. "We looked at four other schools, and this one here made us feel like the people were one big family," Gray said. "You want to send your son to a place where you feel comfortable, and when I send him here, I feel like he is with family." Joanna Lajewski, the music therapist at the school, ran the festivities and could see the effect which the day had on many of those in attendance. "When I looked out into the people I could see some eyes starting to tear up, and even mine began to tear up as well," Lajewski said. The event marked the end of another year for the jointure, based in Aberdeen, where staff members work to help children with autism. The primary goal of the school's curriculum is to work on improving students' communication skills, which is the primary problem that autistic children face, said Baroska. The staff works on this through language groups, educational activities, fitness and music therapy to help students better function in society. Baroska's primary goal is to see his students included in the normal everyday events that someone without autism would be involved in. He feels that as his students grow, so must his school, and believes that the future is bright for both his school and his students. "Everything is geared toward helping the students maximize their skills and to the greatest extent possible, participate in society," Baroska said. "This is my philosophy - I don't want our kids sitting on the sidelines, I want them out there throwing the football."