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	When peers understand what makes your child different they are less likely to bully them.
	When peers understand about a disability they are more likely to help.
	When peers understand that your child’s actions or inactions are not by choice, they are more likely to accept them they way that they are.
	When peers look past the outside of what they see in your child, they are more likely to become their friend.
I'd like to share a little about what difference autism awareness can make. In the 4 years that my son Austin has been in his elementary school, we have worked with his teachers and others in creating autism awareness programs for the entire school. We are fortunate that we are in a school that is proactive and very supportive of all kids with and without disabilities. My son is moderately affected by autism, which means he has some language, but generally not real conversational skills, he doesn’t interact in a socially typical manner, and has behaviors that include, screaming and hitting. With all of this factored in, it goes without saying that he doesn’t have a typical childhood that encompasses having friends that invite him over or many that we invite over. But at school, he is accepted. He is greeted by his peers; they sit with him at lunch, play with him on the playground and go out of their way to engage him in small talk. They are tolerant of his behaviors and understanding when he doesn’t return their attempts to engage him in conversation. This past year my son was turning 10. I thought about his birthday party and who to invite. In the past we have always invited other kids from the community who have autism also (with the exception of one very special friend; Josh), but this year his aide at school suggested we invite his “typical” peers from school. I was pretty nervous thinking that most wouldn’t show, but went along with the suggestion. We mailed invites to 11 of his friends and buddies from school and in the invitation I included a list of things that Austin likes (it can be hard to buy for children with autism). I can’t ell you how surprised I was when his birthday came and all 11 kids showed up for the party. What surprised me even more was that 9 out of the 11 kids brought Austin his favorite thing….an elephant. I had totally misjudged the kids, they new him much better than I gave them credit for and they had taken the time to choose a present that they knew he would like the most. The parents went out of their way to thank me for inviting them and to let me know how often their kids talk about Austin and how much they like him.

If that isn’t enough reason to start an awareness program at school, I don’t know what is!

Autism Awareness…..where to start

Post facts about autism on large puzzle pieces around the school

	1 in 150 kids have autism
	More boys than girls are born with autism
	Autism is not Contagious
	Autism is a disability that makes it hard to talk to other kids
	Having autism makes it hard to know how to play with other kids
	Some thing like lights and noises bother kids with autism more than they might bother you
	Everyone is different, being different is not a bad thing, we are all different
	Kids with autism look just like you and I do
	Kids with autism like to have friends they just don’t know how to make them as easy as you do
	Kids with autism have feelings just like you and I do

Post things that kids can do on large puzzle pieces around the school

	Learn about kids with autism
	Talk to your parents about what autism is
	Say hi to kids with autism
	Be a good role model
	Invite a friend with autism to play

Post Names of Famous People with Autism around the school

Famous People with Autism
Matthew Laborteaux – "Albert Ingalls" (Little House on the Prairie)
Crispin Glover – "George McFly" (Back to the Future)
Temple Grandin – Professor – Author – Architect
Thomas Jefferson
Albert Einstein
Jonathan Lerman – Artist
George Widener – Artist
Donna Williams – Author
Satoshi Tajiri - Creator of Pokémon
Bhumi Jensen - Thai prince
Stephen Wiltshire – Photographic memory Artist

* It is believed by many that Thomas Jefferson and Albert Einstein had forms of autism

Famous People with Autism in the Family
Matthew Laborteaux – Actor - "Albert Ingalls" (Little House on the Prairie)
Crispin Glover – Actor – "George McFly" (Back to the Future)
Sylvester Stallone’s son,
Dan Marino’s son
William Christopher‘s
Will Clark’s son
Doug Flutie’s son
Hermie Sadler’s daughter
Doug Flutie’s son

Ask the School Library to set books about Autism out on display through April
Ask to read books about Autism to the classrooms
Suggested readings:

Taking Autism to School
Trevor Trevor
A is for Autism
I have autism…what’s that?
Adam's Alternative Sports Day: An Asperger Story
Of Mice and Aliens
Wishing on a Midnight Star
Andy and His Yellow Frisbee
Ian's Walk: A Story About Autism
Joey and Sam
My Brother Sammy
Please Don't Say Hello
Looking Out My Window – click here