Autism Acceptance Month
Did you know that 1 in 54 children lives with Autism? April is Autism Acceptance Month, and a great time to learn about ways to make your classroom and school a more inclusive one. See below for five ideas on how to do just that.
Add Books with Autistic Characters to your Elementary School Library
A great way to spread autism acceptance in your classroom is to add books with autistic characters to your elementary school library!
Two great examples are “The Girl Who Thought in Pictures” by Julia Finely Mosca and “My Brother Otto” by Meg Raby.
“The Girl Who Thought in Pictures” is about world renowned scientist Dr. Temple Grandin, who has autism and has used her gifts to create incredible change in the scientific community (specifically with her studies of animal science).
“My Brother Otto” is about a pair of siblings, one of whom has autism. It celebrates differences and encourages kindness & inclusion.
Add Books with Autistic Characters to your Middle or High School Library
Great books with autistic characters are not limited to the elementary school classroom! If you are a middle or high school teacher, consider the representation of autistic individuals in your robust classroom library.
Two great examples of books to feature are “Haze” by Kathy Hoopman and “Buster and the Amazing Daisy” by Nancy Ogaz.
“Haze” tells the story of Seb, an autistic character who is brilliant with numbers but struggles with social interactions. Seb gets caught in a web of computer fraud and lies and has to ask for help from new friends.
In “Buster and the Amazing Daisy”, the main character is Daisy who is autistic. In this adventure story, Daisy overcomes her bullies and her fears with the help of Buster, a very special rabbit.
Learn About the Experiences of Autistic People from Autistic People
When we want to learn about autistic people, we often gather information from books, web searches, and other people who are not part of the autism community. Instead, we should seek input from autistic students and adults. Not only do they have a voice, but they want to be heard. Ask questions; be curious; listen. Learn about their experience of school and really hear it. Bring in autistic guest speakers, listen to podcasts with autistic hosts, and read interviews of autistic individuals across a variety of career paths.
Go to the source. Then use the information gathered wisely as not to put the burden of further explanation and accommodation on the autistic individual. Instead, use these opportunities to take further action toward building acceptance, inclusivity, and authentic relationships across lines of difference.
Consider the Design of School Events to be More Inclusive
One way to take action toward building acceptance and inclusivity of autistic students & their families is to consider the design of school events. Work with your family engagement staff and/or PTO to assess the accessibility and inclusivity of school events, such as “Meet the Teacher” nights, seasonal festivals, or even clubs & activities.
Your team should seek the input of autistic students and adults, but generally should consider these features at school events: having sensory-friendly spaces available to escape high noise levels; providing visual directions throughout the space; offering parent greeters or student buddies to guide families through the event, and sharing or previewing materials ahead of time so families are familiar with the agenda & layout of the event. These small changes can have a large impact on the accessibility & friendliness of an event!
Here are several helpful guides!
Speak Out
In inviting voices of autistic individuals into your classroom spaces, libraries, and family events, you will also become more aware of comments or efforts put forth that are disrespectful or demeaning to autistic individuals. Say something when you hear something. Use your energy to speak out so that an autistic person does not have to.
Further, speak out to your school team and administration. Advocate for more training for your team around topics that impact our ability to serve autistic students well. Request resources that will increase the accessibility of classroom environments for all of our students. This will benefit not only your autistic students, but you and the rest of your school community. See five reasons that this is true!
