In the News: Buffalo State’s Contribution to Au-Some Evenings Featured on WGRZ’s ‘Most Buffalo’
Each month, students from Buffalo State’s Exceptional Education Department volunteer at the Ralph C. Wilson Explore & More Children’s Museum’s Au-Some Evenings, which provide free opportunities for children with autism and sensory processing needs to learn and play together in a supportive environment. Au-Some Evenings were featured on the December 10 segment of WGRZ’s Most Buffalo.
The segment, “Au-Some Evenings at Explore & More Museum,” interviewed Mara Gordon, Explore & More’s education coordinator, who said that the Buffalo State students from Buffalo State’s Exceptional Education Department, are a big part of the evening’s success.
“Part of the people who make Au-Some Evenings so awesome is all of the amazing students who are part of the exceptional education program at Buff State,” Gordon said. “They come and participate at Au-Some Evenings on the floor interacting with families.”
Au-Some Evenings were created in 2010 by Kathy Doody, Buffalo State professor and associate chair of graduate programs in exceptional education, and Jana Mertz, certified autism specialist. Doody said the event arose from a need to tailor events to the sensory needs and preferences of children in a “developmentally fun and engaging way.”
“The Exceptional Education program at Buffalo State values our partnership with Explore & More as we appreciate the opportunity to provide a warm, welcoming, and inclusive event for children and their families a wonderful venue,” Doody said. “Our teacher candidates meaningfully engage children by encouraging play, language development and social interaction. We look forward to working with Explore & More, as well as the SPCA's Paws for Love program for many years to come.”
Au-Some Evenings are held on the second Friday of every month during the school year from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. The January 10 Au-Some Evening will be held at an earlier time, from 5:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m.
Photo courtesy of the Exceptional Education Department and Explore & More.
