ROBERTSDALE, Ala. — The Center for Autism and Asperger Resources honored a number of teachers, administrators, paraprofessionals and others for their work with students Friday night at the site of the former First Baptist Church in Robertsdale.

Reaching students with different needs takes patience and understanding, said Mary Thweatt, CARR director. About 60 people were on hand to see the awards presented, which included a certificate, a flower, and an item donated by a local merchant. WKRG meteorologist Jere Hough served as master of ceremonies. Attendees were also treated to a dessert buffet.

Judy Como of Foley knows firsthand what a difference alert educators can make in a student’s life. Her grandson, Bruce Malinowski, 10, was just diagnosed with Asperger’s syndrome last January.

“It is so confusing,” said Como. “There are so many things to try, and the picture (Bruce) presented looked like so many other disorders. He’s so honest and outspoken, and it’s good to be with other people who have gone through the same thing.”

The program began with the presentation of two videos, called “Open Your Eyes” created by students at Spanish Fort HIgh School. Both showed how “normal” students and “special needs” students can enrich each other’s lives.

According to Scott Parks, a special education teacher and faculty coordinator for Project Reach (A school project developed for youngsters with autism) and Project Outreach, a student-run program,”…none of us feel like Hall of Famers.”

One eye-opening statistic from the video says that there are more people diagnosed with autism and autism spectrum disorders than there are people diagnosed with AIDS, cancer and diabetes combined.

The Spanish Fort programs, Parks added, “encourage students to stand up and fight for others.”

While Parks isn’t sure, he hopes one of the benefits of the “outreach” programs might be to inspire students to become special education teachers.

“If there’s one thing (this program will bring) is that we’ll make sure there’s never a shortage of special education teachers,” Parks said. “I feel like I am replicating myself. Some of these kids will follow in my footsteps.”

For Rachel Smith, a Spanish Fort High 11th grade student, involvement in Project Outreach came as a result of “weird scheduling.”

“I was in the (special education) room for independent study,” Rachel said. “I got interested and decided to join the club.”

One of the joys is seeing a student start to respond, Rachel says.

“One student has been parroting me for a while,” Rachel said. “He started talking to me just before spring break.”

The benefits are obvious to special needs students, Parks says. “They are no longer islands in the school.”

Special needs students are not the only ones to benefit, however.

“I always felt I was wasting my time in school,” said Kelsey Smith. “This (Project Outreach) makes me feel like I am doing something.”

Honored Friday night:

Robertsdale Elementary: Janie Sawyer, Tresa Carey, Lynn Golfos, Carol Nimrod, Nancy Sullivan, Grorge Fontaine, a bus driver.

Gulf Shores High School: Jenny Stokes.

Swift School: Marcia Agee, Jody Robinson, Joanne Garris, Danielle, Dunlavey and Sandra Thorpe.

Spanish Fort High School: Kristen Box, Beverly Spondike, Scott Parks, Lynn Miller.

Rockwell Elementary: Tima Kronenberger.

Foley High School: Patti Owens.

Magnolia School: Angela Morri, April Brockett.

Daphne Elementary: Stephanie Davis, Kelly Smith, Delta Elementary, Leah Ann Overstreet, Sarah Francis.

Elberta Middle School: Marilyn Edwards, Sonya Price, Scotia Steadman.

Fairhope Elementary: David Jones.

Fairhope K-1 Center: Margaret “Pecky” Morgan, Sheila Holcomb.

Foley Elementary: Jasmine Toledo, Jen Harrell, Tammy Ethridge, Robin Switzer, Barbra Byers, Robert Files, Jackie Barkley.

Rosinton Elementary: Paula Payne.

South Baldwin Center for Technology: Teresa Ostrowski.

J. Larry Newton School: Victoria Barrington, Shelby Santa Cruz, Tammy Manuel, Lisa Young, Bobbie Evans, Theresa Frank.

Special Services: Susan Hollinger, Lynn Rockwell.

Child Nutrition Program: Erin Miller.

Special Services: Susan Hollinger, Lynn Rockwell.

Child Nutrition Program: Erin Miller.