WE’RE ALL THE SAME UNDERNEATH... How two schools in our community are changing the future one child at a time | By Demita Hollie
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utism. The word itself evokes a series of questions and emotions from a variety of people. From those who have family members who
are affected by autism to those who are only remotely aware of the condition and it’s effect on others in the greater community. Here in Fayetteville, there are some measures being taken to improve the quality of life for kids with and without autism. Two schools sponsored by Easter Seals United Cerebral Palsy serving North Carolina and Virginia have thrived since 2004. Both the Cape Fear Children’s Center and their sister school, the Dorothy Spainhour Center, offer a loving, fun and educational environment
with staff who know how to create a home away from home. The centers’ goals are simple. Place
typically developing children and children with special needs in one environment, from birth to age five, enabling them to learn and interact with each other. The Dorothy Spainhour Center,
nestled amongst the hustle and bustle of the learning and education centers at Fayetteville Technical Community College, is a vision of learning for kids with a bright future. Behind a gated playground strategically placed just across a sprawling green lawn, the laughter of children playing can be heard, adding a personal touch to the atmosphere of academia. Erica Little, the program manager for the Dorothy Spainhour Center, is proud
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