30 Things to Do During Autism Awareness Month
We love getting EVERYONE involved in Autism Awareness/Acceptance Month. We like to take a goal focused approach to our autism activities by choosing projects that facilitate autism awareness & acceptance, positive attitudes, and autism & communication learning. We pass out materials, have contests, go to events, do extra talks, and try and engage EVERYONE we know and even some we do not know. We do a lot of shopping (with small amount of money, but we have to EAT and accessorize). Our families, pets, friends, and students all participate. It is a month filled with purposeful fun. Here are some of the things we will be doing. Please share any activities or projects that you know about.
- Read & share 5 references that support the use of AAC & Autism (evidence based research)
- Check out the Online Autistic Carnival which is currently accepting submission of various video documentaries (music, art, writing, acting, etc.) from autistic people
- Learn & Share information about Autism Safety – Be AWAARE!
- Learn about ASAN (Autistic Self Advocacy Network)
- Check out the visual supports for learning conversational and social skills from Joel Shaul Autism Teaching Strategies.com
- Become involved with the National Autism Association’s Move Autism Forward to help all autistic people have a voice
- Know about the pre-requisites for AAC by getting the facts & myths from the American Speech & Hearing Association & Speech & Language Kids (By the way there are none)
- Start following an autism self advocate’s blog or facebook page (some great ones- Karla’s ASD Page, Zoe- Illusion of Competence, Autocast, Paula Durbin-Westby
- Read and Share Assistive Technology Family Resource Guides (English & Spanish) to facilitate communication opportunities.
- Read or recommend another book about autism. Try the Autism Society of North Carolina’s Bookstore for ideas.
- Organize, attend, or volunteer at a autism & sensory friendly event such as a video game fundraiser, lego building fundraiser (legothon), etc.
- Listen and share a great on-line module. Autism Internet Modules are excellent and free.
- Read about Thinking Person’s Guide for Autism Acceptance Month.
- Create some visual supports for a student, teacher, or family who needs them. Then wrap them up as a present and say “Happy Autism Awareness Month“
- Learn about Autism Acceptance Month
- Teach literacy to ALL learners. Share free resources that are for beginning readers at any age- Tar Heel Reader
- Learn more about literacy, AAC, technology & ALL learners by following Jane Farrall’s blog
- Print and laminate some free visual supports to use with students. Try Boardmaker Share or PreK ESE Dade County
- Watch Language Stealers to learn about CORE WORDS & AAC to facilitate language
- Learn more about Core Words & AAC for teaching language from the AAC Language Lab or ASHA- A Few Good Words
- Support a business for people with autism or other developmental disabilities. One that promotes autism and micro enterprising is Artists with Autism
- Watch a video about positive behavioral and visual supports. Learn about the behavior-communication link
- Go to a Bakery that is celebrating autism awareness month. Panera Bread teamed up with the Dan Marino Foundation to make DELICIOUS cookies. Our super friend Jay, brings them each year & they are a ‘must have’ again. Lee & Marie’s Cakery Company is another amazing bakery that you must try (locations in Miami & New York).
- Attend an autism awareness event in your area.
- Mentor a new speech-language pathologist or teacher in the area of communication and autism
- Bake, share, & eat some desserts. Need inspiration?.. try these Puzzle Piece Rice Crispy Treats
- Learn more about technology and communication for autism. An easy way to get started is to follow some Pinterest Boards: Apps for Communication & Autism or any of Lauren Enders Boards
- Follow a parent autism blog such as Momma Be Good; Small But Kinda Mighty, Autism from a Father’s Point of View
- Learn some new fun activities for autism that help create meaningful language experiences
- Stay current about AAC and language learning! Subscribe to PrAACtical AAC EVERYONE should have access and support for communication strategies.
Filed under: PrAACtical Thinking
This post was written by Robin Parker