1. April is autism awareness month

2. The Autism Awareness Ribbon
The puzzle pattern of this ribbon reflects the mystery and complexity of autism.
The different colors and shapes represents the diversity of people and families living with this disorder.
The brightness of this ribbon signals hope-hope through research and increasing awareness in people like you!

3. Meet our class!!

5. DID YOU KNOW?? Autism now affects 1 in 110 children and 1 in 70 boys
Boys are 4 times more likely than girls to have autism
More children will be diagnosed with autism this year than with AIDS, diabetes & cancer combined
There is NO medical detection or cure for autism
Autism is the fastest-growing serious developmental disability in the U.S

6. I am a person with Autism.
I can be loud.
I have a hard time understanding things in our environment.
I don’t always know how to communicate what I am thinking.
I struggle to socialize with people around me.
Sometimes I prefer to play alone.
I might repeat words or phrases that I have heard or seen.
I like to have the same routine.
Sometimes I repeat movements like rocking, spinning or hand flapping.

7. What is Autism????
A neurological brain disorder that affects a persons communication, socializing and independence skills.
A person with Autism (ASD) has different brain functions than yours.

8. Meet Kevin!! I like to ride my bike!! I love school!
Sometimes I am loud.

9. Meet John!! I love music! My favorite class is band!
I have a great memory!
I love music! My favorite class is band!
I love to jump off the high dive at the pool!
I am learning how to communicate with my friends.

10. I am working on being a team player in track.
Meet Tavian!!
I am a GREAT friend!
I know a lot about cars!
I am working on being a team player in track.

11. I am working on how to communicate
Meet Lawrence!!
I like to swing!
I love to eat!!
I am working on how to communicate
I like to paint!

12. Meet Eric!! I like to write Disney movie titles. I love pizza!!
Sometimes I repeat what you say.
I am working on sharing with my friends.

13. I am learning how to control my anger.
Meet Sam!!
I am very creative!
I love Star Wars!
I am learning how to control my anger.
I like to go fishing.

14. Meet Elijah!! I like to play Yu-Gi-Oh cards.
I like to play on the ipad.
I love to eat snacks!
I am working on how to manage my emotions

15. HOW CAN YOU BE A FRIEND TO SOMEONE WITH AUTISM??
Accept your friend’s differences
Protect your friend from things that bother him/her.
Talk in small sentences with simple words.
Use pictures or write down what you want to say to help them understand better.
Join your friend in activities that interest him/her.
Be patient-understand that your friend doesn’t mean to bother you or others.
Invite your friend to play with you and join you in group activities.
Sit near your friend whenever you can and help them.
Help others learn about autism by telling them about your special friend.
Devonte is a great friend to Kevin!!