Helping peers understand autism

About this time each year we look for ways to help peers better understand autism. Peers may be thinking about a kid in their class and trying to make sense about things that s/he sees them do. There's a great book that you can borrow from your autism PST that has great suggestions for how to do peer sensitivity training about autism.

"Walk awhile in my autism" - written by local autism consultants Nan Negri and Kate McGinnity - is a book you should check out. Written by experienced teachers and trainers, this unique and important guide contains 18 experiential activities that can be used to teach neurotypical students how individuals with autism perceive the world around them.

Each activity is presented with a complete description, set up guidelines, materials and space requirements, and related key points. The exercises address issues such as: celebrating diversity; cognitive styles; feeling stuck; sensory differences; being excluded; social barriers; and giving and receiving help. Personal stories and quotes from persons with autism are provided throughout the book, and tips on how to modify activity content and presentation are also included.

Talk with your autism PST about this book and how you can help students better understand, help, and support students with autism.