Autistic Acceptance Community of Practice Action Board by Karen Timm

Your Feedback Matters! Please complete this brief survey to help inform the development of future modules. Kudos and Critical reflections are appreciated!

karentimm — 2024-04-08 05:04:45 UTC

Feedback on Allies Take Action for Autistic Acceptance

While the "Allies Take Action for Autistic Acceptance" modules are fresh in your mind, your feedback would be so appreciated!

The questions are all voluntary, but anything you can share will be reviewed, considered and factored into updates and additions to this learning experience, as well as upcoming modules. The goal is to make all the materials and learning tools responsive to the changing needs of educators who are seeking to be allies!

Your voice matters, so thanks in advance!

Scenario 1: Awareness

karentimm — 2024-04-09 05:46:15 UTC

A grade 7 student approaches you to ask if they can create a bulletin board for World Autism Awareness Day. The student shares that they have an older cousin "who suffers from Autism" and they want to show their support. They have printed some materials they found while doing a Google search and want to include these on the bulletin board. These materials include puzzle pieces, and a poster from a well known "Autism Organization" encouraging the community to "Light It Up Blue".

What would you do?

What tools or resources may be helpful as you navigate this situation?

Can you find anything within the Take Action for Autistic Acceptance resources which may help you or someone else who encounters this situation?

Scenario 2: Whole Body Listening

karentimm — 2024-04-09 06:16:03 UTC

You are walking to the work room during a prep and pass by a kindergarten classroom. There is music playing, and when you pass by the door you see it is a popular kids' YouTube channel being projected on the screen. The linked video is playing.

What would you do?

What resources would help you navigate this situation?

Scenario 3: "You are more than your Autism"

karentimm — 2024-04-09 07:24:40 UTC

During an Area Team meeting with your school board clinicians, a colleague proudly shares that they were recently diagnosed Autistic, and lets the group know she uses Identity-First Language (Autistic). As the conversation continues, one of the attendees tells her, "You are such an inspiration. You are more than your Autism", and proceeds to refer to her and any Autistic students using Person-First language ('has Autism') during the meeting.

What would you do?

What key factors are important for determining next steps?

Are there any resources that may help you on this journey?

Scenario 4: What Are We Reinforciong?

karentimm — 2024-04-09 07:36:31 UTC

A partial speaking multi-modal communicator is in the grade 4 class next door. When you visit the class to borrow a resource from your teaching partner, you overhear the Educational Assistant telling the student to "First Use your words" and "Then you may go the bathroom."

What would you do?

Scenarios

karentimm — 2024-04-09 16:31:18 UTC

A sampling of scenarios is provided for your reflection.

Options for Using the Scenarios:

You may use these to practise applying your own learning from the modules, adapt them to help build capacity of colleagues (e.g., staff meetings or inquiry based professional learning)

Feel free to comment below the post with your thinking, reflection and wonderings. The goal is to establish this padlet as a tool for our growing Community of Practice related to Taking Action for Autistic Acceptance.

Share your Successes because #RipplesBecomeWaves

karentimm — 2024-04-09 16:57:00 UTC

A great way to stay motivated and build capacity in our schools and communities is by sharing successes and providing examples for others to emulate and take inspiration from. The Neurodivergent Infinity of Educators (NINE) is actively seeking to showcase the actions that allies are taking to foster #AutisticAcceptance in our schools and beyond!

Please share anecdotes, photos, feedback from your school community, and other evidence of impact to help cross-pollinate ideas and build our community of practice.

karentimm — 2024-04-11 17:45:09 UTC