Students Enhance Their Understanding of One Another with Different, Not Less Program

An inclusive and educational Aquebogue Elementary School program emerged this past spring. Third and fourth grade students participated in the Different, Not Less program, enhancing students’ understanding and appreciation of one another in school and out in the community. One student taught his peers about his augmentative communication device, which helps him to communicate in a manner other than talking. Students also heightened their knowledge of autism and neurodiversity, learned about the school’s Sibshops program for students with a sibling with special needs and met future service dog Bluebell. Aquebogue Elementary School and the Riverhead Central School District extend their gratitude to Corrine Taibi, Mary Cipriano, Jennifer Weintraub and Tina Wallace for making this meaningful program possible.

Students attentively learn about an augmentative communication device used by their peer

Future service dog Bluebell helps teach students about his work

Students learn about devices that assist their peers with communication

The educators who make the Different, Not Less program possible

Books used as part of the Different, Not Less program