April is the month of autism awareness and promoting acceptance! This disorder is characterized by challenges in social skills and repetitive behaviors. According to the CDC, 1 in 44 children has a diagnosis. With this high prevalence, I think it is important that our students and community work to gain a better understanding of the disorder. Below, you can find a list of 20 student activities that promote autism awareness and acceptance!
1. True or False
With Autism Awareness Month comes a great opportunity to discuss the myths of the disorder. You can present your students with various statements about the disorder. Then, they can guess whether the statement is true or false.
Learn More: The Autism Helper
2. Decorate Your Door
How about some classroom decorations to spread awareness for autism? You could check out the link below for some door decoration inspiration, or brainstorm with your class to come up with your own ideas. I love the one that uses painted hand prints to express individuality!
Learn More: Plymouth Rock
3. Bulletin Board
You could also decorate your classroom bulletin board for Autism Awareness Month. There are a variety of materials you can work with to bring this idea to life. This example covers the board in blue and adds colored tissue paper in a heart-shaped puzzle.
Learn More: Plymouth Rock
4. Public Art Display
You can consider volunteering your class to make a public art display for your local community center to shine a light on autism. This example uses a painted tree with colored puzzle pieces making up the leaves.
Learn More: Pinterest
5. Wear a Ribbon
For this Autism Awareness Month, consider wearing these supportive ribbons to spread awareness about autism. You could even consider selling these at a local charity event to raise funds for autism research.
Learn More: Eastern University
6. Use an Autism Awareness Bookmark
You can encourage your students to show their support with these glittery autism awareness bookmarks. This bookmark has a blue colored tassel and puzzle pieces- both of which are symbols of autism. Alternatively, they can create their own bookmarks using paper and other craft supplies.
Learn More: Glitter Me This & Things
7. More Bookmarks
You can print these black-and-white autism awareness bookmarks for your students to color and make their own! If you want these to last, consider laminating them.
Learn More: Teachers Pay Teachers
8. Study a Public Figure with Autism
Greta Thunberg is an example of a public figure with autism. She is a Swedish teenage climate activist. Your students can study facts about her or another public figure with autism. Other famous people, like Albert Einstein and Michelangelo, were suspected of having also had autism.
Learn More: Applied Behavior Analysis
9. Play with Sensory Toys
A common symptom of autism is sensory sensitivity to the environment. Because of this, there are various different gadgets and toys that people with autism use to cope. For example, fidget spinners are a great tool. Your students can explore the different types of toys that people with autism use.
Learn More: Stages Learning
10. Painting Activities for Sensory Stimulation
Making art can be a soothing activity for autistic individuals with sensory sensitivities. Consider hosting an autism-friendly art activity, such as painting, with your students. Maybe they can even create an autism acceptance picture!
Learn More: Hidden Treasures ABA Therapy Services
11. Everyone Fits in Here – Puzzle Art
This puzzle art can be made collaboratively among students or independently. You can print the puzzle templates, have your students color them in, and then add silly faces to finish them off. Then, cover the back with tape or glue the pieces onto cardboard to keep the pieces together.
Learn More: S&S Blog
12. Teach About The History of Autism
Another autism awareness activity could be to teach a lesson on the history of this disorder. Your students can learn about the first official diagnosis, common misconceptions that were debunked, and when autism became recognized as a spectrum disorder.
Learn More: Smithsonian Magazine
13. Teach About Neurodiversity
Neurodiversity is the diversity of brains and how people experience the world. People on the autism spectrum are often highlighted in the neurodivergent community. You can teach your class about this concept to promote acceptance of autism.
Learn More: The Pyjama Foundation
14. Coloring Pages
Following your lesson on neurodiversity, you can give your students these coloring pages. You should know that some people prefer the infinity symbol over the puzzle piece for supporting the acceptance of autism and neurodiversity.
Learn More: And Next Comes L
15. Read “Welcome to the Autistic Community”
There are many books on autism that you can read to learn more about the disorder! This one is written by autistic people. It discusses the history of autism and the life experiences of individuals living with it.
Learn More: Amazon
16. Support Autism-Friendly Businesses
Another autism awareness idea is to encourage your students and their families to support autism-friendly businesses. These businesses have initiatives that help to employ autistic individuals or have autism-friendly products and services.
Learn More: Very Well Health
17. Donate to an Autism Organization
Whether it is an autism research or advocacy organization, being charitable can help the autistic community. Make sure you research the organization beforehand!
Learn More: And Next Comes L
18. Autism Acceptance Unit
If you are looking for a complete autism awareness lesson guide, you could check out this one created by The Autism Helper. It includes book recommendations, discussion prompts, and worksheets for students.
Learn More: Teachers Pay Teachers
19. Autism Awareness & Acceptance Activities Bundle
If you want a month full of awesome autism awareness activities, you can try out this activity bundle. This set includes a true or false exercise, reading comprehension passages, coloring pages, word searches, and more.
Learn More: Teachers Pay Teachers
20. Watch “Fast Facts About Autism For Kids”
Videos can be a great, no-prep addition to regular lesson instruction. This kid-friendly video teaches fast facts about the experiences of people living with autism. Perhaps you can show this video as an introduction to teaching your students about autism.
Learn More: Autism Explained
Mastering Adverbs: 20 Engaging Activities To Boost Your Students’ Language Skills