Autism Awareness … …and now you knowSusan Matyuf

Sterling Middle School

April is Autism Awareness Month

Each day during announcements, we will learn something new about autism.

On Fridays, take the weekly quiz in the library. A winner will be chosen from each grade from the correct entries.

What do you know about AUTISM?

And now you know…

The puzzle pattern on this ribbon reflects the mystery and complexity of autism.

The different colors and shapes represent the diversity of people and families living with this disorder.

The brightness of the ribbon signals hope for the future.

From: http://www.houstonchapterasa.org/

And now you know…Look around the room…

You see different faces, different hair,

different clothes,different shoes.

Our differences make us unique and who we are.

People with autism think and behave differently. We will learn why this is to build our

understanding and awareness.

And now you know…Autism is a neurological disorder that affects

the way a person’s brain and body works. That means a person with autism

thinks and behaves differently.

People with autism may have trouble:communicating, interacting with others, and behaving in expected ways.

And now you know…

From: http://www.barberinstitute.org/autismINsight/disorders.php

Autism is a called a “spectrum disorder.” That means no two people will have the exact same symptoms and characteristics. So… just like other teenagers, not all people with ASD are the same.

“ASD”

And now you know…School can be a frustrating place for

someone with autism:-it’s noisy-the hall is crowded-classes are long-lots of changes-no time to relax-lots of writing

- no friends It can be exhausting!

And now you know…Some people with autism have difficulty taking

in information from their senses.

They may get sensory overload when there is too much:

noise smells light movement touch (and different texture)

They may become upset

and not know how to calm

themselves down, or find

the words to tell you what

is wrong.

And now you know…FAST FACTS:

No one really knows what causes autism. -- may be a combination of genetics and environmental causes There is no cure for autism; it is lifelong. 1 in 110 people in the U.S. have autism. 4 times more boys than girls have ASD. Autism affects all races, economic classes,

and religions. Individuals with autism look like you and

me.

And now you know…Asperger’s Syndrome is:

on the autism continuum a developmental disorder

Individuals with Asperger’s have: great memory for facts intelligence social skill challenges: conversations, eye

contact unusual interests/behaviors a desire for routine

And now you know…People with ASD have trouble with social

skills, like: not making eye contact OR staring when talking to you keeping a comfortable distance~ staying in personal

space

understanding facial expressions and body language

waiting

And now you know…People with ASD have trouble with

surprises and changes: unexpected changes in routines like the library is closed fire drills and bus changes menu changes homework

Confusion can lead to unexpected behaviors.It helps to get a “heads up.”

And now you know…People with ASD are literal thinkers. They

have a hard time with:

sarcasm (“Get over it!” or “Chill out!”) idioms (“That’s as easy as pie.”) expressions (“Let’s hang out.” “That’s

sick!”)

Check out this video to understand… http://www.wrongplanet.net/postt96041.html

And now you know…Sometimes people with ASD seem… rude: shouting out or making comments about

people unaware of other peoples’ feelings mean But…they don’t understand the rules for keeping

thoughts in their head or how to think about what others are thinking or feeling.

And now you know…People with ASD have trouble with

receptive communication… they may not understand what’s said to them

at first they need time to process information multiple directions are confusing and they

want to just shut down. SO…

Keep it simple, give them time to think, show them…it really helps!

And now you know…People with autism have expressive

communication problems: some people never learn to communicate

verbally, and use pictures or other devices to communicate

some people repeat whatever you say. That is called, “echolalia.”

some people use big words and sound like adults talking.

some people are brutally honest and it comes across as rude.

And now you know…People with ASD have trouble with the rules for

conversation: don’t know how to start a conversation interrupt because they don’t always read the

cues around them sometimes only talk about what’s interesting

to them repeat lines from movies or favorite shows

That’s o.k…help them out! Invite them to join your group. You may

learn something new and interesting!

And now you know…Some people with autism: rock, or pace when they are anxious or not plugged into what’s happening flap their hands when they are excited Spin thingsThese repetitive behaviors are just like what we do to

calm ourselves or to get rid of nervous energy: Tapping our feet, pencil, or fingers Shaking a leg while listening

We are coping with incoming information in our own way.

And now you know…People with ASD have trouble with… organization It’s hard to know where to put papers It’s easier to carry all the books and binders

than to decide what’s important. It’s hard to remember to turn in homework,

even when it’s done. It’s easier to not try when you don’t know how

to start.SO…

Write lists, give examples, set routines

And now you know…People with autism are fascinating

people! We can be:

patient, caring, friendly, andunderstanding with people

who think differently than we do!

AND… THAT’S WHAT LIFE IS ALL ABOUT!

And now you know…Check out ….Temple Grandin:

Temple Grandin is a world

famous animal scientist,

author and autism self-

advocate.

From: http://www.templegrandin.com/m

ovie

book

s

awar

dsHer successes should encourage us all!

• Did not speak until 3 ½ years old

• Parents told she’d never talk and should be institutionalized

• Now she has a PhD, is a world renown speaker and author who happens to have autism!

Referenceshttp://www.cindysautisticsupport.com/awareness/asa_growing_teens.pdf

http://www.autismsociety-nc.org/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=90&Itemid=321

Image: http://www.istockphoto.com/stock-illustration-1457667-confusion-1.php

http://www.cdc.gov/ncbddd/autism/index.html