Autism & Classmates

As school has started back I have realized once again the need to explain autism to classmates. We always start with our book My brothers keeper a kindergartners view of autism ( you can order it on here ) we always asked the teacher to let us have 15 minutes to read to the class and have question and answer time.

1. Start with the basics: Begin by explaining what autism is and that it is a neurological condition that affects how people communicate and interact with others. We also start with naming different traits all the students have. Red hair , blonde hair , tall , short.

2. Emphasize individual differences: Highlight that each person with autism is unique and may have different strengths and challenges.

3. Promote empathy and understanding: Encourage classmates to put themselves in the shoes of someone with autism and imagine how they might feel in certain situations. Explain how to help their classmate with autism in case of meltdowns.

4. Use visual aids: Visual aids such as diagrams, pictures, or videos can help classmates better understand and visualize the experiences of someone with autism. There are a lot of great children’s books out there now.

5. Encourage questions: Create a safe and open environment where classmates can ask questions and seek clarification about autism.

6. Share personal stories: If comfortable, individuals with autism or their family members can share personal stories or experiences to provide a more relatable perspective.

7. Discuss sensory sensitivities: Explain that individuals with autism may have heightened sensitivities to certain sounds, lights, or textures, and how this can impact their daily lives.

8. Promote acceptance and inclusion: Emphasize the importance of accepting and including individuals with autism in social activities and treating them with kindness and respect.

Remember, it’s important to tailor the explanation to the age and understanding level of the classmates, and to ensure that the person with autism is comfortable with sharing their experiences. We also put a pop up tent in each of Justin’s classrooms up until 6 th grade. All the children enjoyed it.