Autism is something close to my heart. I have had wonderful students in my years as an SLP who happens to have autism. During those 5 years of helping them communicate, I have come to join these children in their colorful, fascinating, and interesting world. This is why I advocate teaching about autism awareness.
This post is sponsored by Kay Abdi, the creator of the Rio Book Series. Rio is an amazing poem-based book that teaches all kinds of children about how autism is like by describing Rio and why he does certain things. Simple yet poignant in its own way, Rio is a must-have book for parents of children with autism as well as schools and learning facilities who want to participate in teaching about autism awareness to students. You can find the book on Amazon.
Other helpful links:
- Instagram: Rio Book Series
- Amazon UK: Rio: Autism Awareness
- Kay Abdi’s Email
The Lack of Awareness in Autism
Lately, the headlines talk about teaching students about diversity in terms of race and culture. While that is a good thing, I believe that diversity also means differently-abled people. This is why I advocate autism awareness because many people can often make ignorant assumptions and judgments about what autism can look like. There are also misconceptions that make others avoid or contribute to the negative stigma of differently-abled people.
In this post, I will be sharing tips inspired by Rio in teaching about autism awareness.
Teaching About Autism Awareness: Tips and Strategies
Diversifying the face of Autism
Unlike some genetic conditions with physical features, autism can seem invisible to the untrained eye. Bystanders are quick to assume that actual sensory meltdowns are “spoiled children due to bad parenting” which is totally false. Someone who looks typical from the outside may display mannerisms of those with autism, such as Rio.
As you can see in the Rio: Autism Awareness book cover, you would notice that he is just like any other boy. As parents and teachers, our role is to tell children that autism doesn’t have any specific face. Teaching about diversity and inclusion means showing that autism can be present in anyone, regardless of their physical features.
Helping children understand the different ways to communicate
Younger children may also think that those with autism don’t want to talk because they are “snobbish” or don’t desire connection. Although children with autism need a break sometimes, this notion is not true! It is so important for us to teach children that there are different ways to communicate, and sometimes, speech isn’t the only way.
Rio: Autism Awareness pictures this exactly as one of the pages mentioned how he uses his flashcards to communicate. Some children use Augmented and Alternative Communication (AAC) to tell their needs and wants. Teaching children that sometimes, when they try to talk to those with autism, they may not respond right away and may use other means to communicate. This helps build awareness and understanding.
Explaining behaviors and possible reasons
Another important aspect of teaching about autism awareness is explaining behaviors and their possible reasons. Ignorance about autism comes from not understanding why they exhibit certain behaviors or do certain things. It can be challenging to make children understand these things when not explained simply.
In Rio: Autism Awareness book, there is a portion that shows how Rio started to spin. It was described that he is “happy” doing those things. One easy way to explain to children that some people with autism do certain unusual things because it makes them happy and calm. This can make it easier for you to discuss self-stimulatory behaviors, which is very common in people with autism.
Helping children understand that everyone is unique and special
One of the most important ways to break the negative stigma that comes with autism is imbibing values that show children that everyone is unique and special in their own way. No one is less or more because of who they are or what they have–everyone should be accepted and loved as they are.
The last pages of Rio: Autism Awareness ends strongly by showing that everyone–regardless of their abilities, race, appearance, or background should be loved. The difference of someone with autism should be accepted as much as someone who has a diverse cultural background or any other unique characteristic.
That’s it! I hope you found those tips useful. Don’t forget to check out Rio: Autism Awareness book, available in Amazon. I highly recommend it to any parent or teacher who wants to have a handy tool in teaching about autism awareness.
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This is a great way to learn about autism, and so that kids have a better idea of what it is. Always good to hear about spreading awareness!
Thanks for this information about autism. It will be very useful for children to learn about it, but also for some adults as well because not everyone knows about it.
I love this ideas. I love that there’s finally a way to let our kids know about disabilities and to help them develope their understand ing aout people with disabilties.
Great way to teach kids about how different their peers can be
I love that you are doing this. More people do need to become more aware of the issues people with autism face instead of avoiding them. This is a lovely way to teach children young how to be a friend to those with autism.
Thanks, for sharing. I have to be honest, I’m not very educated about autism. But, I do think when people don’t know or understand a topic it is important for them to do there own research.