Training Peers About ASD Student Perspective Metro Parent Living with Autism April 15, 2016

Did You Know… …about me… Presentation by Ryder Rulison With help from my brother, Mason Rulison April 2016

What I LIKE? (Like most kids do…) Going fun places! Being active! Chicago, IL Gulf Shores, AL Nashville, TN

What I LIKE? (Like most kids do…) Doing fun things! Blue Angels! Bumper Cars at Michigan Adventure! Chillin’ with my brother and friends! Shooting hoops… Camping with friends… Water Park’n for my birthday with my buddy… Boating and wake- boarding.. Tailgating at MSU games…

What I LIKE? (Like most kids do…) Hanging with Friends & Family! Sports! TV, Playing Video & Computer Games! Check this out…Ryder for the STEAL: Food!!!

Check this out…. …get’n down on the streets of Nashville! Link:

Another thing about me…. I have AUTISM …

Autism… My brain is made differently so thinking and learning can be challenging…

Autism… You can’t see my autism by the way I look I was born with it, and will always have it Listening and focusing can be challenging It is not something you catch (like a cold!)

Autism… Some things are hard for me, some are easy Everybody with autism has their own kind of autism I work very hard to keep learning I am not dumb, it just takes me longer to think of the answer sometimes

Autism… How WE all are different Differences OUTSIDE the bodyDifferences INSIDE body Hair colorsHow brains think and are made Eye colorsKinds of blood Colors of skinFeelings

Autism makes it really hard to communicate…. ….and understand what people mean, say, and do with their words or body language Autism Whaaaaat??

Changing subjects about things I like to talk about like NHL, NFL, MLB, Toontown Rewritten, XBOX… Talking softly and not getting in your space What’s really hard for me…

When things don’t follow the rules… and I tell you so Understanding the meaning of how words are used Paying attention and staying focused… What’s really hard for me…

The downside of autism Since you can’t see my brain and how it works, some people don’t understand why I say or do certain things…it can be annoying…… Please stop!!!

Some kids have sensory issues…lights, sounds, smells, and touch bother them… I don’t have a lot of these issues, but sometimes when too much information is coming at me or I just need to move….I feel like I might EXPLODE ! Check out this video game that makes it feel like you have autism…

Some kids with autism are bullied for just being different…. Bullying is mean and hurts people! “I can’t help how I am made, just like you can’t help how you are made”…. Here is a video about how to be a friend if someone is being bullied…with or without autism :

I want to hang out and have friends, just like you…

Please be patient and it’s ok to tell me: “Hey, could you stop talking, please?” “Do you mind talking about something else?” “You are standing too close, could you back up a step or two?” “Do you mind lowering your voice, it’s really loud?” Or other things that might help me be a good friend or student…

Just telling me helps me understand what you are thinking …I don’t always get your body language…

You should never laugh at or make fun of someone with autism… All of these people, including me, have autism!

Would it be right to make fun of or laugh at these people? NO, it would not! You can see their disability…but you can’t see mine…

Even famous people have autism… These people ALL have (or are thought to have ) autism too!! Bill Gates Microsoft Founder Steven Spielberg Movie Producer of ET, Jurassic Park, and others Satoshi Tajiri Pokémon Founder Albert Einstein Scientist Thomas Jefferson U.S. President Dan Akroyd Actor and Comedian Daryl Hannah Actress Susan Boyle Singer

Thank you for listening… and thank you to all my friends who help me, include me, and accept me for who I am! Any questions?

Ryder’s presentation is available as a template for creating self-advocacy presentations for other students. This is only a guide and modifications are suggested to meet the needs, interests, personalities, and uniqueness of each person. Questions, input, or to get a copy: Stacie Rulison Presentation Information