They may forget what you said but they will never forget how you made them feel.

-- Anonymous

What isAutism Spectrum Disorder

Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) is a term used to describe a group of developmental disorders including the following:

-Autistic Disorder

-Asperger’s Disorder

-Pervasive Developmental Disorder – Not Otherwise Specified

What is Autism Spectrum Disorder?

Autism is a lifelong, developmental disability. Affecting the

cognitive processing part of their brain. That means, people with

Autism develop skills differently than most other people. But, they

can learn and grow up to have jobs just like you.

People with Autism may also have a different way of seeing, hearing,

or feeling things. Like when you have gloves on in the winter and

you try to pick up your pencil. It may be a little harder to pick up, but

it feels different than when you don't have gloves on.

What is Autism Spectrum Disorder?

People with Autism may have difficulty communicating. Some kids

with Autism cannot speak, so they may learn to use computers or a

board with pictures on it to tell people what they want or how they

feel.

Having Autism is like living in a foreign country where you don't

know the language, or like trying to learn the rules of a very difficult

game.

How am I different from someone with Autism?

Some people with Autism may have trouble talking. There are some

people with Autism who don't speak at all, others who speak

sometimes, and some who talk just like you.

You may hear a person with Autism repeat a word or phrase that

someone else said to them. This type of response is called Echolalia.

Echolalia echo·la·lia

the often pathological repetition of what is said by

other people as if echoing them.

How am I different from someone with Autism?

They do not often ask for what they want, need, or talk about their

feelings. People with Autism may act a little differently from other

people. They may spend much of their time alone or seem like they

are not paying attention. They may act as if they can not see or hear

other people.

How am I different from someone with Autism?

Some people with Autism may rock their bodies back and forth, flick

their fingers, or do other things which seem different. This is called a

Stim or Stimming.

Stimming

(often done unconsciously) that self-stimulates one or more senses in

a regulated manner.

How am I different from someone with Autism?

It is not easy for people with Autism to make friends, because they

may act differently. But, everybody Is different. That is what makes

being friends with different people fun. You can learn a lot from each

other.

1 in 150 Children in the United States are diagnosed with Autism (CDC 2007)

1 to 1.5 million Americans have ASD

ASD is the fastest growing developmental disability

ASD has an 10 - 17 % annual growth

Annual cost of ASD is $90 billion

90% of costs are in adult services

Cost of lifelong care can be reduced by 2/3 with early diagnosis and intervention

In 10 years, the annual cost will be $200-400 billion

Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD)Facts

Myth vs. Fact

Children with autism never make eye contact.

Many children with autism establish eye contact. It may be less than or

different from the typical child, but they do look at people, smile, and

express many other wonderful non-verbal communications.

Myth vs. FactInside a child with autism is a genius.

The myth that a genius is hidden in a child with autism may exist because of

the uneven nature of the skills that many children exhibit. Children with autism

may have splendid physical skills, but no functional language. A child may

remember the birthday of every child in his class at school, yet be unable to

determine when to use the pronouns you or me appropriately. A child may

read with perfect articulation and not understand the meaning of what he has

read. Children with autism exhibit a full range of IQ scores. Most children with

autism will exhibit significant delays in some areas of mental processing. A very

small percentage exhibit above normal intelligence; an equally small

percentage of children exhibit very low intellectual functioning.

Myth vs. Fact

People with autism do not talk.

Many children with autism develop good functional language. Most

other children can develop some communication skills, such as sign

language, use of pictures, computers, or electronic devices.

Myth vs. FactPeople with autism cannot show affection.

Probably one of the most devastating myths for families is the misconception that

children with autism cannot give and receive affection and love. We know that sensory

stimulation is processed differently by some children with autism, causing them to

have difficulty expressing affection in conventional ways. Giving and receiving love

from a child with autism may require a willingness to accept and give love on the

child‘s terms. Sometimes the challenge for parents is waiting until the child can risk a

greater connection. Parents, grandparents, aunts, uncles, and friends may not

understand a child‘s aloofness, but can learn to appreciate and respect his/her

capacity for connection with others.

Things you need to knowfor the Peer Mentors

• Our students can look and listen to you, but there are times they can not do both. Choose the listening option.

• Introduce yourself, take, and shake their hand. This will help the student learn to converse, and knowing people in their environment.

• Remember to Sign in and Out

• Remember to check the white board

In a Potential Crisis Situation To The Teachers/Students

• If they are hitting or screaming, Do not be alarmed we can handle situations concerning our students.

• Wait for Mr. Taylor, Ms. Morgan, and or Mr. Tipton to assess the situation before you react.

• Try and read the Autism staffs body language as to how to react if there is a major problem.

Famous People With AutismStephen Spielberg

Director / Producer

Famous People With AutismStephen Wiltshire

ArtistStarted drawing when he was 8

Famous People With AutismJason McElwain

High School Basketball player

within a four minute period at the end of the game, McElwain seemingly entered “The Zone”

scoring one two-pointer and six three-pointers. His last three-pointer was the final shot of the game.

Famous People With AutismSir Isaac Newton

Revolutionized the world of science and mathematics through his theory of gravity and the three laws of motion.

Famous People With Autism

Albert EinsteinPhysicist

Meet in the MiddleGuidelines for Kirby IB World Academy

• Offer friendship and availability

• Praise effort and good performance

• Be a support to the mentees in critical situations

• Assist with academic development

• Set a good example in and out of class

• Help staff redirect negative behaviors and attitudes

• Help students identify strengths to be maximized

• Help students minimize stress levels through out the day

I, state your name, as a peer mentor for Meet in the Middle at Kirby IB World Academy, promise to offer my fellow students friendship and availability, to praise their efforts and good performance, to assist with their academic development, and bridge the gap between all students. I understand that it is an honor to be a peer mentor. So, I must continually reflect positive behaviors and attitudes through out the day.

Meet in the Middle Kirby IB World Academy

I hear, and I forget. I see, and I remember. I do, and I understand.

-- Chinese Proverb

Thank You!

autism-ascc.org/kids.htm

http://www.autism-society.org

www.scautism.org/myths.html

Anne Anderson, LSSP Autism Specialist

Resources