One of the effective ways to make a classroom more inclusive is to present a peer awareness session, focused on helping students recognize and understand individual differences. When they learn about autism, and the strengths and challenges those with autism have, students gain empathy and become more accepting. Some will step up and serve as role models in and around the classroom.
These sessions will vary based on the student’s age and comprehension level. One way to make your lesson resonate is to use a book, video or case study based on a student about the same age as the group you’re teaching.
Four elements of a successful peer awareness lesson
- Introduction: Raise awareness about diversity and the importance of respecting similarities and differences.
- Autism information: Deliver information about autism using videos or stories to illustrate its main features.
- Simulation activities: Talk about how autism affects people in different ways. Encourage compassion by discussing how experiences make autistic people feel.
- Consolidate: Discuss specific ideas of how peers can better support one another and students with autism.
Age appropriate: considerations by grade level
Kindergarten:
- Focus on similarities and differences.
- Emphasize the importance of celebrating differences.
- Talk about how students can be good friends.
Grades 1-3
- Introduce the term “autism,” using a video and/or story.
- Emphasize that everyone has strengths and challenges.
- Use a simulation activity to help students understand how it might feel to have autism.
- Emphasize commonality – that everyone likes to have friends and be included.
- Talk about how students can help one another and be good friends.
Grades 4-8
- Focus on similarities and differences.
- Explain autism with a video and/or story.
- Use multiple simulation activities to help students understand specific difficulties/challenges.
- Talk about how students can be more inclusive and identify specific actions they can take.
High school
- Introduce the concept of inclusion, specific to people with disabilities.
- Explain autism with videos, articles and/or a novel study.
- Develop a greater understanding of what it’s like to have autism.
- Talk about how students can be more inclusive and supportive of those in their school community.
Facilitate an open dialogue about how to be more inclusive and understanding. Emphasize the strengths that people with autism have.