4+Autism

A U T I S M Created by: Jeff Kubina; Autism Myth #8. **Step Index:** **Step 2:** Read the questions to keep in mind during the course of the unit. **Step 3:** Read the paragraph about autism and follow the links to read those articles as well. **Step 4:** Watch the "Autism Awareness" video and answer the questions following the video. **Step 5:** Watch "Open Your Eyes" by Sean Delaney and answer the questions following the video. **Step 6:** Express your ideas, opinions, and thoughts about autism on paper. **Step 7- End Project:** Present everything you have learned about autism. Essentially, this is the L (Learned) part of the KWL chart that was started in Step 1.
 * Step 1:** Make a KWL (Know, Want to know, Learned) chart about autism but exclude the L (Learned).

**Step 1:** Before you start to research autism, you should make a KWL chart on what you Know, Want to know, and have Learned. The "L" part of the chart will be part of the end project for this class. So, this part should only include the K and W. To present what you Know and Want to know about autism, you could make a: -[|Voice Thread] -Power Point -Movie Maker -Poster -Movie -Or any other means of presentation These are just ideas... Any other form of presentation or organization is welcome and can be used instead.

Your presentation should include the following: -What you know about autism -What you want to know about autism -Why you think autism is related to savants -Or any other subject you feel would be important to include

Here is an example of the project: media type="custom" key="3241848"

**Step 2:** This part of the unit is the main part. You must answer the questions following each presentation. You will not have to answer the red questions until the end project but you should keep them in mind as you are learning about autism. Be sure you keep the following questions in mind: -How do autistic people behave that is different from the average person? -What causes autism? -What other health factors are common with autism? -What is the "definition" for autism? -How does autism differ from other mental disabilities? -What are your experiences with autistic people? Be sure to answer these questions as well as your questions from Step 1 at the end of this project. Read the paragraph below on autism and click on these two links to read about autism: 1. Autism is a spectrum disorder. The spectrum which I am referring is called Pervasive Developmental Disorder (PDD). Disorders on the spectrum can range in severity and symptoms like sensory issues or language disorders. People who fall on the PDD spectrum can lack reciprocity. Reciprocity is a mutual exchange by two parties. In other words, trying to talk to someone with PDD may be very difficult. You may find yourself in a one way conversation. Some other disorders on the spectrum are Autism, Aspergers, PDD NOS (Pervasive Developmental Disorder Not Otherwise Specified), Childhood Disintegrative, and Retts. Diagnosing PDD can be very difficult, although new research being done is working to diagnose it as early as six months. People who fall on the PDD spectrum can lack reciprocity. Reciprocity is a mutual exchange by two parties. In other words, trying to talk to someone with PDD may be very difficult. You may find yourself in a one way conversation. 2. [|Great Website] 3. [|Very Reliable Website] You do not have to do anything for this step except read the articles. **Step 4:** [|Autism Awareness Video] 1. What was your first reaction after watching this video? 2. What are some facts that you did not know before this video? 3. Would you have considered yourself judgmental of parents and kids with autism before viewing this video? 4. Who was facing a bigger injustice here, the parents or the kids? 5. What would your first reaction be if you had to take care of someone with autism? 6. What is one thing you want to tell the parents in this video?
 * Step 3: **

**Step 5:** 1. What message do you think the artist was trying to get across? Was he successful? 2. What kinds of things could you do to "open your eyes" to autism? 3. In what ways could you get involved with autism and help raise awareness? 4. Has this video changed your view on autism? If so, how? If not, why? media type="youtube" key="cSdfCN5ewHY" height="344" width="425"

Write an essay, short story, paragraph, poem, anything, about what you have learned, think, noticed, loved, hated, about autism. Write anything and everything you want to portray. The only requirements for this assignment are they have to be relevant to the topic. In other words, do not write about your favorite shoe store or best friend's birthday coming up. Just express your ideas about autism on paper.
 * Step 6 **

<span style="color: rgb(0,0,255);">**Step 7- End Project:** Present everything you know about autism in some kind of presentation format. It can be as short or as long as you want it to be. Some ideas might be: -[|Voice Thread] -Power Point -Movie Maker -Poster -Movie -Or any other means of presentation Make sure your end project answers the red questions: <span style="color: rgb(0,0,0);"><span style="color: rgb(255,0,0);">-How do autistic people behave that is different from the average person? -What causes autism? -What other health factors are common with autism? -What is the "definition" for autism? -How does autism differ from other mental disabilities? -What are your experiences with autistic people? Essentially, this end project is the L part of your KWL chart. The K and W parts should have been completed in the beginning of the class.

Bibliographies: Dowshen, Steven. Wendelin, Burdo-Hartman. "Autism." __Kids Health.__ 24 February 2009 <http://kidshealth.org/kid/health_problems/brain/autism.html>. "Autism Fact Sheet." __National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke.__ 24 February 2009 [|<http://www.ninds.nih.gov/disorders/autism/detail_autism.htm]>.