Raising money and awareness for autism

First the Lawrence Middle School students in the Applied Behavioral Analysis special socialization program and art classes made puzzle piece pins, magnets, pencil toppers and beaded bracelets for sale Autism Awareness Month.

Then the students held a bake sale outside the school’s cafeteria on April 26. Teachers Nicole Miller and Keri Johnson helped the students sell an assortment of snacks including chocolate pretzels, Rice Krispie treats, mini cupcakes, chocolate-covered bananas and puzzle piece lollipops.

Nearly $1,000 was raised and will be donated to Autism Speaks, an organization that funds medical research, increases awareness and advocates for the autism community. The puzzle piece is a symbol of autism’s baffling nature and its varying degrees of disorders.