Now that my kids are starting school I realize that I have neglected to directly talk with them and teach them about people with differences and disabilities. I mean, sure, I teach them to love others and treat others with kindness, but I’ve never actually had a good talk with them about children of different abilities or asked them their thoughts on the difficult subject.
One disorder that is particularly hard to understand and therefore to explain to our little ones is Autism. Here are a few ideas to make it a little easier.
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5 Tips for Teaching Kids About Autism
1. Know the Facts
Young kids might not need to know all of the details, but it will sure help you as a parent to know the facts before deciding how and what to teach your kids. Check out Autism Speaks to learn more…
Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and autism are both general terms for a group of complex disorders of brain development. These disorders are characterized, in varying degrees, by difficulties in social interaction, verbal and nonverbal communication and repetitive behaviors. They include autistic disorder, Rett syndrome, childhood disintegrative disorder, pervasive developmental disorder-not otherwise specified (PDD-NOS) and Asperger syndrome. ASD can be associated with intellectual disability, difficulties in motor coordination and attention and physical health issues such as sleep and gastrointestinal disturbances. Some persons with ASD excel in visual skills, music, math and art.
2. Get First Hand Accounts
Besides just learning the facts, try to gain an understanding from someone who has it or who is a parent or teacher of an autistic child. If you don’t know anyone first hand, read some of the great blogs on this list of autism resources at Kitchen Counter Chronicles.
3. Ask Questions
Sometimes it’s easier to get difficult conversations started with kids by asking them questions first. Like “Are there any kids in your school that act or look different than you?” or “How do you think that kid feels about being different?”
4. Teach Through Play
Children learn best through play, so try teaching them about autism or other differences with things like puppets, dolls, or role playing.
5. Read a Children’s Book
My kids love the book Chicken Boy by Gregory G. Allen. It’s a fun book about one boy with autism…
“I have a superhero inside my head. I call him Chicken Boy” proclaims our hero. What others may see as odd “quirks”, a child living with autism explains as all a part of his being a superhero. Told in the first person perspective, Chicken Boy offers a small glimpse into the mind of one child who wants others to understand they shouldn’t fear someone simply because that person is a little different.
Gregory Allen was kind enough to send along an extra copy of Chicken Boy for one of you! Just enter to win below…
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Tammy says
This book sounds great! If I don’t win it, I’ll definitely be buying it. One of my sons has autism, and the other doesn’t. As they get older, we find that we’re challenged to find ways of talking about it while stressing the fact that everyone is special.
Kat says
My nephew is autistic and he loves he read so would love this.
Jamie Leigh Martin says
I can't seem to tag you properly.. It will not show up with a link, with or without the hyphen.
https://www.facebook.com/jamie.l.martin.50/posts/279054775541989 Could you please help?
Krissy Sherman Bonning says
Hi, Jamie. So sorry to confuse you. My facebook page is actually @B.Inspired instead of @Binspiredmama like I had said. I saw your post. Thanks for sharing!
Jamie Leigh Martin says
We explain that we all bleed red, and that we are all human, no matter what.
maryanne @ mama smiles says
We talk about different people being good at different things and different things being hard for different people. We have first hand experience with autism spectrum, but not autism. Two of my kids had pretty significant speech delays, so they understand what it's like to not be able to do something that all their friends take for granted.
.ambre. says
We talk about how everyone's the same under their skin. 🙂
ambre.sautter@ gmail dot com
Maegan Morin says
I do not have first hand experience with autism but I try to teach my children that everyone is the same and no one person is better or worse than another.
Gregory G. Allen says
It is so great reading all the comments on this blog. I hope that all those that don't win the giveaway will still check out the book for your classes, homes, friends. Thanks so much for the support! BAHCAAAAAAH!
Courtney says
Thanks for hosting this giveaway! I teach at a preschool for both children who are typically developing and those with special needs. We talk about caring for one another and being a good friend to everyone from day one. I always have a few students on the spectrum and I feel this book would help the children understand some of their friends' behaviors and allow them to be more understanding.
Nichole K says
Thanks for giving an idea of another book to use. My son was diagnosed with Asperger's Syndrome this summer and I've been looking for books to help people understand. His AS isn't as bad as most but it makes his social issues somewhat worse. He knows he is different than other kids but can't really figure out why. He gets very anxious about social things unless they are with our family or really close friends. He is also gifted which makes some of his behavior harder for others to understand and deal with.
Katie Thibeault says
I love this! I have a son that is on the autism spectrum and is also gifted. He has a difficult time building relationships with children in his peer group. They just don't know how to play with him. He thinks differently and talks differently. At six years old, he is also starting to notice that he is different than the other children his age. I think that it is wonderful that you and others are teaching your children how to be friends with a child like mine. This is the exact kind of acceptance and awareness that we need in the world. I am very excited to read this book to my son. I would love so much for him to know that he is not alone, and that there are other children that have similar attributes as he does. We do not look at his autistic qualities as a disability here, we focus on his abilities and gifts. This post has truly brought joy to my heart and tears to my eyes! Thank you so much for sharing this!
Bee W Bedard says
I work with families that have a child on the spectrum – we use books to share with other children
Shay says
My daughter has autism and other disabilities and developmental delays. While she's too little to understand her brother and I [he's 5] speak about different people. Loving people for who they are in the theme I strive to make clear every time it comes up. Everyone is who they are meant to be and they are lovable.
Anonymous says
I teach preschool and we teach acceptance of others who are different throughout the year. I think the key is to teach young children to be empathetic and caring. We do many activities that encourage a discussion of differences such as painting with plastic bears – one of them is missing a leg. When the children notice one of the bears is making a different “track” it starts a natural conversation about how the bear can still get around just like people who use a wheelchair, etc.
Janice says
Fantastic perspective! What a wonderful idea presenting as a Superhero inside his head.
Judy says
My son has Aspergers, and we often send books to school for the teacher to read to the class. We live in a school district that is really on the ball with special needs.
Kim says
This is exactly what I was looking for today!! I teach PreK and have an autistic child in my class this year. She is actually PDD NOS. I believe the other kids are at the stage where they are begining to notice differences and am looking for ideas about how to explain it to them. This is great information and I would love to have this book to use to help them understand.
Promise Mata says
My son has autism and I plan to share the book with friends to teach their children about autism. It can be a bit challenging trying to explain it to them. I think this book would really help them.
Morgan says
I have a friend whose son was recently diagnosed as autisic. She is worried of course. I think her biggest worry is always having to “treat” him and not really getting to just enjoy the wonderful little boy he his.
Michelle says
My son has Aspergers & its reallt tricky to explain his diagnosis to him. Though I'm lucky in that he accepts everyone just as they are, including himself! We are so blessed to have him!
Michelle says
My son has Aspergers & its reallt tricky to explain his diagnosis to him. Though I'm lucky in that he accepts everyone just as they are, including himself! We are so blessed to have him!
Susan D says
There's a picture book called Understanding Sam and Asperger Syndrome by Clarabelle van Niekerk that I really like. It also has information in the back of the book about things kids can do if they want to be friends with someone with Aspergers. I think ultimately it comes down to empathy and reminding our kids to think how the other person feels.
Gregory G. Allen says
Thank you all, for taking an interest in the book! It is based on my godson and so near & dear to my heart.
Rebecca says
This book would be an amazing addition to my house. It would teach my sons about people that are different from themselves. We read many books about all kinds of people. They would enjoy and learn a lot from this book.
Anonymous says
This book would be an amazing addition to my house. It would teach my sons about people that are different from themselves. We read many books about all kinds of people. They would enjoy and learn a lot from this book.
Angie says
This book would help me a lot to teach Jordan's friend and cousin's how to be around him since he is on the spectrum.
Kerry says
I've do an activity with my preschool classes, where I ask them to say one thing they can do really well, and one thing that's really hard for them. Almost always, there's some things listed in both columns, which gives us a chance to talk about how we can help one another by using our strengths.
Lenka says
I am happy to see conversations open up about children and how we treat each other. Along the lines of noticing differences, I would ask children, “What is the same about you and ____?” Children often need support building common ground, but once they notice things like- we both like animals, or we both eat bananas, they are more likely to be friends.
It's also fascinating to ask children, what is different about you? What makes you different? Most children have at least one area where they are working on skills- sitting still, reading, temper flare-ups, and it helps them notice we are all learning and we can all use support now and again. Building common ground 🙂
Thanks again for encouraging connections! Children can be amazing with each other if we give them the tools 🙂
Best wishes!
In Lieu of Preschool says
We'd love to win the book! Thanks for the post. I've been needing to talk to the kids about differences and disabilities because we have a neighbor who is disabled, so now maybe I'll finally figure out a way to approach it! 🙂