Developmental Disabilities month celebrated

March 13-- Mar. 13--ASHTABULA -- Administrators at Happy Hearts say they are excited about creating opportunities for young people with developmental disabilities and helping the community understand the needs of students faced with unique challenges.

March is Developmental Disabilities Month, and Happy Hearts Principal Patrick Guliano said it is important for the public to understand the need to help educate those with developmental disabilities and encourage families to take advantage of available services. He said the task should not fall on families alone.

"Not all the kids with disabilities are here," Guliano said.

More than 80 students are helped by the program, which includes 35 to 40 at the Happy Hearts campus in Ashtabula and another 40 who are educated in programs throughout the county run by various school districts.

Administrators said they wanted to highlight the need for community support and encourage families to have their children evaluated.

Guliano said in some of the younger grades children often learn "incidentally" from each other more than from direct instructions. As they get older, one-on-one instruction is needed.

Older students also need opportunities in the work place and several area businesses have stepped up and allowed Happy Hearts students to visit and learn. Guliano said it is important for the older children to have opportunities to work, and the visits to businesses not only teach students about potential job opportunities but also real-life lessons, such as how to shop.

"It is amazing how these kids have progressed," he said.

Students are often evaluated for needed services through a school psychologist, but they can be recommended earlier by a doctor. He said the earlier challenges are dealt with, the better opportunity there is to create a plan for success.

He said students with developmental disabilities are very "real" in their relationships and daily interaction with staff and each other.

"There is no show. What you see is what you get," Guliano said.

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