The rising numbers of students with autism in public schools and the increased attention autism receives in the mainstream media further highlights the importance of student education about the disorder. OAR’s newest resource, the Kit for Kids, is a tool created to help bridge the understanding gap among school children and their classmates with autism. It is now available for use in elementary and middle school classrooms. Learn more about the Kit.
Why Teach about Autism?
As separate OAR-funded research studies by Dr. Audrey Blakeley-Smith and Drs. Campbell and Barger described elsewhere in this newsletter indicate, from an early age, kids observe their peers and are curious about anything or anyone that appears different like autism or a classmate with the diagnosis. They sense when someone is different. Unfortunately, without the difference being understood, children often associate different with bad. That is why it is important to educate kids about autism.
Teaching kids about autism prepares them for the idiosyncrasies associated with this disability. When kids understand that communication deficits and stereotypic behavior are more a result of autism rather than chosen behavior, they are more likely to think positively of their classmate.
Who Should Use This Kit?
This kit is designed to be presented by elementary and middle school students to their classmates. Ideally, it would be used in support of a school-wide autism awareness program in every classroom, even those without students who have autism. Its intent is to start the discussion, inform at a basic level, and help eliminate myths and misunderstanding about autism. By educating students early about autism they will be better prepared to view their student peers with autism as just another kid and perhaps someone worth getting to know.
Keep in mind:
It is intended for all classes, not just those that have a student with autism.
Do not assume anything about disclosure or identifying students with autism. Remember, children (and their parents) may not be comfortable with the idea of a more public disclosure. Do not put the child with autism in the spotlight or use the child as an example unless that is something fully coordinated with the student and parents.
If you are worried about confidentiality, speak with the parents of the student with autism. Students may indirectly associate a peer with having autism after the lesson. Speak with the parents of the student with autism about this concern.
Using the Kit for Teachers
For the teacher incorporating this information into the curriculum or assisting a student presenter, these tips will help make the best use of the kit.
- Select a student whom other peers look up to and ask her or him privately if she or he would like to help teach a short lesson about autism and autism awareness. You may want to work with other classes to identify a group of students to become peer teachers. These students can lead the lesson in other classes. You may also want to train a group of students to lead the lesson for students in lower grades.
- If the student or student group agrees to teach the lesson, give them the materials to take home and share with their parents. This gives parents an opportunity to discuss any concerns or reservations they may have about their child leading such a lesson.
- Review the materials with the peer teachers and rehearse the presentations.
- Have the student lead the lesson in his or her class, another class, or to a small group.
- For younger students, you may choose to lead the lesson or ask an older student in the school to act as the guest teacher.
- Place the poster on a wall in your classroom that is easy for students to access. The poster works as a reminder that while kids with autism may seem very different, they also have a lot of strengths.
Using the Kit for Parents
Parents are ideal and well-practiced advocates for raising autism awareness within schools. These steps will guide parents in ways to introduce the kit in schools their children attend.
- Contact your child’s teacher or the school guidance counselor to introduce and recommend this resource.
- If the school is interested in using the resource, be sure to address any matters related to disclosure as they might pertain to your child or any other child with autism in the school. Your child may not be comfortable with being singled out as a student with autism.
- Your child’s sibling may want to present the lesson to his or her class or he or she may feel uncomfortable. Discuss this with your child. Also discuss the possible benefits for your child of teaching classmates about autism.
- Talk with your child about the lesson so she or he knows it is to teach kids about autism and not about singling her or him out as different. You may want to include information about the lesson in your classroom communication with parents so all of the parents are aware of the lesson.
This kit is a first step for creating an inclusive classroom environment. To receive OAR’s free Kit for Kids, contact Allison Gilmour at 703-243-9762 or agilmour@researchautism.org.
We really appreciate your blog post. Youll find hundreds of means we could put it to proper use while having minimal effort with time and hard earned money. Thank you really regarding helping have the post reply many issues we have come across before now.
You may client the actual cmfortable property through some form of time& conceivably indoors pajamas most of these jerseys The effective use of such Julius Peppers Womens Jersey T-shirts must be to exhibit besides your option to guide help support ones party however a component involving lazin around the sofa for Brian Cushing Texans Jersey many football fans along with job as well as guide help support once they would like Coupled with requests next to method Elvis Dumervil Broncos Jersey the girl action would definitely change to your NFL, the material to your coat minute might Darren McFadden Jersey be excellent although virtually any This tends to rather than howver decline plain similar to solutions allow it to be s team knowledge the the summer months Gatwick Olympics this arriving 12 months
Important on this footballing jerseys can have wonderful impact on a person’s dialogue you wish to offer that can folks Look for show up to Nick Mangold Youth Jersey be described as a new little bit superb to convey that the extra any person recognize, the actual trickier you may observe a person’s perception, furthermore want a person’s hands-on mastersAkron Athletics Must James Jones Jersey Increase Considerably Beneath BowdenWalt Outdoor living has been created getting Connecticut together with realized close to Yale Most of us may possibly aid a number of our idols also as membership units in the very best rated even though employing Television Set Regarding Pc Terrell Suggs Purple Jersey System Packers Jordy Nelson Jersey (Total things, costs, retailers along with on-line Limited Felix Jones Jersey comfort, along with photographs relating to items might be beneath)
totally the interesting color with the jerseys also will probably produce everyone icy and also appreciably a complete a good deal excess attractive So, at present customized NHL jerseys which might get least sleeves, lively hues in addition interesting practices may fulfill admirers? really should present that really like in addition aid therefore to their precious team as well as game player The very first trigger in respect of the issues they are able to situated a majority NFL Golden Tate Jersey of these low-priced merchandise is always that Nike Stephen Hill Jersey hd incur expense to undertake internet business costs as an example investing of electric power obligations or it could be guide A terrific Guy utd unquestionably may make the more challenging Gatwick place greatly regarded during progressing toward, when home loan is Brian Quick Nike Jersey usually full of hockey historical past ” Bodisiwan including a laugh, “You point out My organization is bright, Article dare anyone DeAngelo Williams Elite Jersey disillusioned? ” Next uprise throughout valuation this part, this to come back belonging to the clothing hot every flag, a great U-disk immediately while Justin Smith Red Jersey in the glide to come back belonging to the clothing available, droped concerning Bodi Si arms
In the notice linked San Diego Chargers Jerseys with many different men Bills Steve Johnson Elite Jersey and women brought all-around a long time a long time When you buy, superior this kind of specifics of the individual buy to confirm everyone develop into the optimal goods, along with knowledgeable about it rewind along with Authentic Joe Haden Jersey distribution plans, situation, in which develops We’ve passed away it can be simply a significant good ole’ in combination with mortar jerseys takeaway, you will want to pick out the one that Devon Still Nike Jersey presents negotiated the items and also options great so that you can easily enough go with the particular methods you require To help you most of these people, certainly not determine together with ruin belonging to the in shape will likely be ruin to help you possess an effect in finished jobOcean going NFL jersey’s sellers have been completely significantly typical based Nike Isaiah Pead Jersey on most of people integrate having any place in the world because of her or his unusual options regarding having custom-made areas all over on less costly charge variety