You Don't Look Autistic! and Other Myths About Autism - Ages 9-13

This is an interactive lecture-style class. I will be using a Google slide presentation to help me present the information and will give lots of opportunities for students to ask questions and share their experiences. 

Topics that will be covered 

"But you don't look autistic!" - Does autism have a "look?" (Spoiler alert: it doesn't!) 

What does it mean that autism is a spectrum? 

The tendency of the autistic community to prefer identity-first language (autistic instead of a person with autism). 

"It is very rare for girls/females to be autistic." - Why people believe this and why it is not true. 

Autism is either a great thing or an awful thing - or maybe it's not either one ... 

Autism is more common now than it used to be - and why this is not necessarily true. 

"I never would have guessed you have autism!" And why I don't consider this the complaint people seem to think it is. 

"Autistic people are "not creative" or "have no empathy" and other untrue generalizations. 

We are not puzzles and do not need to be fixed - we will briefly and in an age-appropriate manner discuss how some people and organizations like Autism Speaks seek to cure autism when this not what the major of autistics want. We also talk about the puzzle piece symbol, why many autistic disapprove of it, and alternatives that can be used instead. (Under sources I have linked an article with more information on this topic to help parents understand what we will be covering). 

This class is inclusive, which means students of all abilities are welcome. If your student needs any accommodations please let me know and we will work together to ensure the best possible class experience. 



Disclaimer: This class was designed by an autistic adult (myself and used feedback from other autistics as well). Although I am doing my best to present the views of the majority of the autistic community there are autistics with opposing opinions and I can not claim to speak for the entire autistic community.