Teacher Script: Understanding Autism

Introduction & Warm-Up (5 minutes)

(Display Our Amazing Classmates Slide Deck - Slide 1)

Teacher: "Good morning, everyone! Today, we're going to talk about something super important: how we can all be amazing classmates to everyone in our school. We're going to learn about a special way some people think and experience the world. It's called autism.

First, I want you to think about this: What makes each of you special and unique? Turn to a partner and share one thing that makes you, YOU!"

(Allow 1-2 minutes for partner sharing. Bring the class back together.)

Teacher: "Wonderful! I heard so many amazing things – different hobbies, different ways of learning, different talents. It's true, we are all unique, and that's what makes our classroom and our school so interesting! Just like we all have different hair colors or favorite foods, our brains can also work in different ways. And that's what we'll explore today."

What is Autism? (10 minutes)

(Display Our Amazing Classmates Slide Deck - Slide 2)

Teacher: "So, what exactly is autism? Autism is not a sickness or something that needs to be fixed. It's simply a different way a person's brain is wired. People with autism might:

• Think and Learn Differently: They might be really good at some things, like remembering facts or numbers, but might find other things, like understanding social rules, a bit tricky. Everyone learns differently, right?
• Feel Things More or Less Strongly: A loud noise that doesn't bother you might feel really, really loud and uncomfortable to a student with autism. Or, they might not notice when someone is upset as easily.
• Communicate in Different Ways: Some students with autism might not talk much, or they might use different words or ways to show what they mean. They might also like to talk a lot about their favorite topics!
• Love Routines: Many students with autism feel safest and happiest when things happen in a predictable order. Changes can be hard.

It makes them unique and amazing! Think of it like this: some computers run on one operating system, and some run on another. They both work great, just a little differently. People with autism are just like that – their brains have a different 'operating system.'"

Teacher: "Does anyone have any questions about what I just shared? Remember, it's okay to be curious!"

(Address a few questions, keeping explanations simple and positive.)

Amazing Classmates Activity (10 minutes)

(Display Our Amazing Classmates Slide Deck - Slide 3 and Slide 4)

Teacher: "Now that we know a little more about autism, let's think about how we can be the best, most amazing classmates we can be! I have an activity called Amazing Classmates Activity for us. We will read some situations, and I want you to think about what you could say or do to be a kind and understanding friend."

(Distribute the Amazing Classmates Activity worksheets.)

Teacher: "Let's do the first one together. Listen carefully:

Scenario 1: During recess, a student with autism in your class is flapping their hands and making soft noises. Another student laughs and points.

Teacher: "What do you think is happening here? And what could you do or say to be a good friend?"

(Guide students to understand that flapping can be a way to calm down or express excitement, and that laughing and pointing is not kind. Discuss options like ignoring the pointing, sitting with the student with autism, or kindly asking the pointing student to stop.)

(Continue with the remaining scenarios, facilitating discussion for each one. Encourage students to come up with their own ideas and reinforce positive behaviors.)

Cool Down & Wrap-Up (5 minutes)

(Display Our Amazing Classmates Slide Deck - Slide 5)

Teacher: "Great job everyone! You've had some really thoughtful ideas about being an amazing classmate. Remember, everyone in our school is unique and valuable. When we take the time to understand each other, our school becomes an even better place.

For our Cool Down: One Kind Thing, I want you to think about one kind thing you could do or say to a classmate with autism, starting today or tomorrow. It could be something simple, like sharing a smile or inviting them to play.

(If using slips, have students write it down. If using a board, have them share aloud.)

Teacher: "Thank you for being such thoughtful and empathetic listeners today. I know you will all be amazing classmates!"

Amazing Classmates Activity: Being a Friend to Everyone!

Sometimes our classmates experience the world in different ways. Let's think about how we can be kind and understanding friends to everyone, including our classmates with autism.

Read each situation below. Then, write or draw what you could SAY or DO to be an amazing classmate!

Situation 1

During quiet reading time, a student with autism starts humming softly and rocking back and forth. A few other students look over and whisper.

What could you SAY or DO to be an amazing classmate?

Situation 2

At lunch, a classmate with autism always sits alone at a table, even when other tables have space. They seem to enjoy looking at a book.

What could you SAY or DO to be an amazing classmate?

Situation 3

The teacher asks everyone to work in groups of three for a project. A student with autism looks nervous and says, "I don't know who to work with." They seem a bit shy.

What could you SAY or DO to be an amazing classmate?

Situation 4

During playtime, a student with autism really wants to play with a specific toy car and gets upset when another student picks it up. They start to get teary-eyed and say, "Mine!"

What could you SAY or DO to be an amazing classmate?

Cool Down: One Kind Thing

We learned today that everyone is special and unique, and that includes our classmates with autism. Thinking about what we discussed, what is ONE KIND THING you can DO or SAY to a classmate with autism in our school?

Write your idea below, or draw a picture.

Remember, a small act of kindness can make a big difference!