2. About

3. PEOPLE WITH AUTISM THINK IN A UNIQUE WAY
When you see something in front of you, a person with autism might see something different than you.
Sometimes their brain interprets things in different ways.

4. Example 1: what you see
Find X.
4 + X = 9
Your answer:
X=5

5. Example 1: what someone with autism might see
Find X.
4 + X = 9
Their answer: X is here.

6. Example 2: what you see
Ugly Shark

7. Example 2: What someone with autism might see
Goblin shark. A rare, deep sea shark that eats cephalopods and crustaceans near the sea floor.
It’s elongated, flattened snout is able to sense minute electric fields produced by nearby prey….

8. My likes and dislikes – How are we the same?
I like to play video games and sports like soccer and basketball
I like to play with friends
I like to read
I like sweets and milk
I like it when people listen to me
I don’t like writing
I don’t like to practice piano
I don’t like many vegetables
I don’t like it when people are loud
I don’t like it when people are bossy
Do you like any of these?
Do you dislike any of these?

9. Being a good friend – how are we different?
I enjoy telling kids everything I know about the subjects I find interesting, even if no one else is interested.
I like to make silly jokes that people don’t always understand or like.
I feel unhappy when people don’t understand what I am talking about, or think I take too long to finish things.
It hurts my feelings when kids don’t follow the class rules and I get in trouble for tattling.
Is this something you would do?
Have you thought about this?

10. Kids with autism can’t help their distracting behaviors
Sometimes kids with autism feel the need to repeat the same facts over and over again and you might wonder why!
You will see me talk about things that interest me, so I can share what I know well.
Other times, autistic kids need to do things with their hands or bodies to calm themselves down.
You will see me chew my shirt, or pick at my socks, or hear me humming, so I can concentrate. This also helps me when I am upset.

11. When we get upset – what do we do?
I need go out of the room to a quiet place for a “brain break”.
I need the person to listen to my full explanation, or give me theirs.
I need to move my body around and engage in my “distracting behavior”.
You may need to get out of your chair for a minute to get some water.
You may just need to say, “Stop it!” You may just need an apology.
You may need to sit quietly and relax. You may need a hug.

12. Autism is becoming more common
Right now 1,600 children in Michigan are diagnosed with some form of autism.
In 10 years, there will be over 10,000 children diagnosed with autism in Michigan.
Many kids with autism are in regular classrooms just like you.
Most kids with autism have unique ways of expressing ideas, and many of them can remember amazing facts, and solve complex problems.

13. Even though kids with autism think differently, they still want the same things
We want to have friends.
We want to learn.
We want to have fun.
We want to be independent.