Media Alert
For immediate release
Contact: Theresa Komitas
Phone: (630) 608-5031
E-mail: tkomitas@SD308.org
Oswego, Ill. (April 25, 2023) — The students at Wolf’s Crossing Elementary school, in recognition of April being National Autism Awareness month, welcomed Sandy Sotzen, author of Why Do They Do That? to their school. Sotzen has a Master’s Degree in Education, has been a Special Education Teacher for 35 years and resides in the suburbs of Chicago. She has two sons, the youngest of whom, Tyler, is nonverbal and has Autism.
Sotzen shared with this group of kindergarten through second grade students that Tyler, who is now 29 years old, was the inspiration for her book. She told stories to the students about Tyler and his journey with Autism. She indicated that when they went to Disney World, Tyler wasn’t interested in all the usual things, but when he found a toy drum from the gift shop, he was excited and entertained for hours. She also shared a few challenges, like how Tyler can’t go with to her favorite restaurant, because the noises and the smells make it too difficult for Tyler to eat there.
She spoke to the children about not being afraid to say “hi” to a person with a disability, and to invite them to play or just to be a friend. The person may not be able to jump rope, but they can watch and feel included. Sotzen also explained how some students carry devices around with them that help them speak, which lets others know what they are doing or may need, and she explained how other students wear headphones because noises bother them.
Prior to the book, Why Do They Do That? being read to the students, Sotzen shared with them a slide of a penguin with the following quote for them to remember: “Nobody thinks less of the penguin because it can not fly. It’s simply a different kind of bird. Different. Not Less.” by Stuart Duncan
Stozen ended with questions from the students. The first “question” that was posed to the author was, “I love Tyler.”
Sand Sotzen’s book, Why Do They Do That? is available at Amazon.
“Samantha is a little girl who asks a lot of BIG questions! Samantha's BIG questions help her learn about children who don't seem to look or act the way she does. Samantha learns that we are more alike than different from one another and she makes some new friends along the way!Why Do They Do That? opens the conversation about children with Autism, disabilities, and special-needs. This story is intended to help curious little minds begin to understand those who may not behave or look like they do.”
