Two students who competed in the Special Olympics....

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Two students who competed in the Special Olympics make progress in

Middle School's autistic class, and one moves up to Sickles High.

By JOSH ZIMMER, Times Staff Writer

© St. sburg Times, published December 28, 2001

Two students who competed in the Special Olympics make progress in

Middle School's autistic class, and one moves up to Sickles High.

ODESSA -- P.J. Hoagland takes bakery orders at Middle School and

delivers the goods to thankful recipients. Emmanuel Truxton helps keep order

at as part of the school's 300-member crime watch. And Chelsea Millar,

a former student, is taking dance and gymnastics lessons, and leaving

classmates at Sickles High School teary-eyed with her book reports.

Since they were featured earlier this year while training for their first

Special Olympics, P.J., Emmanuel and Chelsea have continued to expand the

boundaries of their autistic world, developing new skills and gaining a

greater sense of independence, according to the people who know them best.

P.J., 16, and Emmanuel, 15, are still in 's autistic class, a carefully

groomed program that is not available at many schools in Hillsborough County.

Though not mainstreamed in classes with other students, they often mix with

other students and are constantly venturing out in the world so they learn to

interact in society, principal Kathy Flanagan said.

Recent field trips included visits to a local supermarket and 's,

where they made holiday crafts.

" They're doing great, " Flanagan said. " You can really tell since they've been

here they've blossomed and the real positive thing is how independent they're

becoming. "

As always, Flanagan emphasizes the benefit of the interaction for the

students in regular classes, some of whom spend time with P.J., Emmanuel and

other students with disabilities through 's Best Buddies Program.

" We're always worried about handicapped kids getting used to the world, " she

said. " I think it's very fortunate the regular education kids to be around

handicapped kids and realize in life there are people with limitations. "

At Sickles, Chelsea is the only child with serious autism who is

mainstreamed, said her mother, Debbie Millar. Millar describes it " as a

learning experience for everyone. "

Now 14, she attends regular classes, and algebra is her best subject, Millar

said. Her aide at followed her to Sickles, making the transition

easier. So far, she said, Chelsea has been treated well.

" She's really made a good transition to the high school, " said Millar, a

special education teacher in Pasco County. " The administration was wonderful

in providing (student helpers and friends) that she has for each class. "

She communicates through a laptop equipped with a vocalizer that puts sound

to her thoughts. A recent book report on Gilda Radner, the comedian who died

of cancer in 1989, drew tears and applause, Millar said. She told the class

afterward that she could relate to Radner because of her autism.

Parents of autistic children tote the painful experience of having watched

their sons and daughters suddenly withdraw from them at a very young age, a

characteristic of the mysterious condition. Stuck in their insular worlds,

they rarely learn to speak and often shun affection.

P.J., Emmanuel and Chelsea are not the most extreme cases. P.J. and Emmanuel

talk intermittently. They aren't afraid to be touched and often reach out to

others.

But there are people who never stop dreaming bigger things for them.

P.J. is showing much improved communication skills, Flanagan said. While

delivering baked goods recently he gave his full name, address and telephone

number. She also heard him singing Christmas carols, she said.

Emmanuel's father, Roy Truxton, said he is putting money into a college fund

for his son. As for the Millars, they desperately want to hear Chelsea talk.

Not long ago they took her to the Autism Research Center in Palm Bay for a

special two-day treatment involving the infusion of a brain serum. Many

parents with similar hopes have traveled there and found that the $12,000

treatment helps their autistic children's brain performance, including

speech, Millar said.

The second infusion is scheduled for early February.

" We probably won't know anything until the fourth infusion, " she said. " She

did not get sick, which was good. We're looking forward to great news here. "