Nov 17, 2009 5:36 pm US/Central
Autism School Thinks New Neighbor Will Be Too Loud
Educators Say Children With Autism Struggle In Noisy Environments
LISLE, Ill. (CBS) ―
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Officials at the Giant Steps school for autistic children worry that a possible new neighbor, the Navistar truck company, could create too much noise for the kids at the school.
CBS
Something "sounds" awfully troubling to a school for children with autism about their possible new neighbors. CBS 2's Vince Gerasole listened to their concerns.
Many scientific studies indicate children with autism are especially impacted by their surroundings, from loud noises to fumes in the air.
It's what led a school called Giant Steps to invest millions in a peaceful suburban office park setting in Lisle over the summer. But they're worried about who could possibly be moving in next door: a major U.S. engine firm, with research and development plans that stand to drastically alter the environment.
That Quenton Palluau can calmly take part in coordination lessons is a major feat for the 19-year-old with severe autism.
"He was originally in a regular school with other kids but noise levels are difficult for him – a therapeutic setting is really the best for Quenton," said his mother, Thais Palluau from Naperville.
There are 60 students just like Quenton enrolled at Giant Steps in Lisle. Director Bridget O'Connor said sound can be very difficult for these students to interpret.
The school paid $9 million for the facility last May and moved there only 10 weeks ago. But the silence of the suburban office park could soon be shattered.
On the 89-acre site next door – once home to Lucent Technologies – Navistar, the truck maker and defense contractor, planned to open its new world headquarters with engine research and development facilities.
"The buildings you see there will be torn down and the testing center will be built right there," O'Connor said, pointing to a piece of land at the opposite end of the school's parking lot.
Specifically, school directors pointed to plans given to them by Navistar, that call for the storage of 162,000 gallons of diesel fuel and labs where the company would have room to test dozens of engines at once.
Navistar's written studies indicated sound levels at the proposed site would not exceed maximum community standards. But educators at Giant Steps said it still would be enough to threaten the successful treatment of their students.
"All the things this project will bring to the neighborhood makes it unacceptable for our children to be here," O'Connor said.
A spokesperson for Navistar told us they support the work of Giant Steps and they look forward to working closely with the school.
But the school's real frustration lies with The Village of Lisle. They said all through the summer, as they worked with the Village to retrofit the facility, no mention was made of the possible new neighbor.
A spokesperson for Lisle said that by midsummer they were aware of Navistar's initial intentions. All this will be discussed at a planning commission meeting Tuesday night.
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