
Your plan should have five components:
- Who presents the information
- What’s your intended outcome
- Who is the audience
- The length and number of lessons and
- What content you’re going to deliver
Here’s an example of a successful autism awareness and acceptance plan for students aged 13 to 21.
Who will present the information?
I will present the information to the class with the special education teacher.
What is the intended outcome/goal?
Students will be invited to ask questions in a judgment-free and open environment. This will increase their understanding of their autistic peer.
Who is the audience?
My science class. The students are 16 to 17 years old. Most have had a student with autism in their class for many years.
How many lessons and how long will each be?
Each lesson will be 10 to 15 minutes long, at the start of class every day for one week. This program will be revisited every two months.
What content and how will it be delivered?
Types of Content
Descriptive information: Highlight strengths and similarities between autistic student(s) and peers.
Examples of Activities:
- Tape up poster paper on the wall and write various strengths and qualities that your students may have.
- Provide each student with post-it notes to write their names.
- Have students place their notes on the strengths that describe them.
Explanatory information: Provide an explanation for behaviors that may be encountered at school, such as sensory sensitivities, repetitive behaviors, and social-communication difficulties.
Examples of Activities:
- Read: The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time by Mark Haddon and The Reason I Jump by Naoki Higashida.
- Watch: Select videos from Amythest Shaber available online.
- Attend: Find a conference where students can participate in workshops led by members of the autism community.
Directive information: Direct information will help peers understand what to do in specific situations. This guidance should be tailored to each autistic student.
Examples of Activities:
- Introduce a question box for students to anonymously ask about autism. Use these questions to guide the directive information.
- Invite the special education teacher to address the questions and provide directive information.
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