DANVERS — Brother and sister duo Jackson and Taylor Skane, of Danvers, have been advocating for autism most of their lives. On Friday, they were at three elementary schools in Peabody and Danvers to help bring awareness to the neurological disorder and kick off April as Autism Awareness Month.
Jackson, a high school senior studying dental assisting at Essex Tech, was diagnosed with autism at age 3. His younger sister Taylor, a junior studying culinary also at Essex Tech, has been by Jackson’s side supporting him as they spread the word about autism to communities on the North Shore. On Friday, they visited students at the Brown School in Peabody and the Great Oak and Smith schools in Danvers.
For nearly 15 years, the siblings have been strong advocates for autism in their neighborhood, schools, and with other organizations, working to raise awareness. They started by giving out blue light bulbs to friends, neighbors, and their schools, and that grew into larger events and opportunities.
Jackson is one of two student representatives for the Essex Tech School Committee, a member of the Student Council, DECA, an advisory board member for the school’s dental programs, a National Honor Society recipient, and an assistant at North Shore Dance Academy for a class for students with a disability. He is also a youth Board of Director to the Northeast Arc’s board where he is the youngest member, speaking to the interests and priorities of young people with disabilities and autism. He has been part of the Northeast Arc since he was a young child.
Jackson plans to study special education in college next fall.
Taylor is a member of the Youth Board for The Rock The Spectrum, a volunteer at The Northeast Arc and Citizens Inn/Haven from Hunger, and an assistant at North Shore Dance Academy for a class for students with a disability. She will graduate next year and also plans to study special education in college.