Awareness and Bully Prevention

Ralston COF Group Spreads Schoolwide Awareness Through Daily Announcements

Shared by Kelly Madison

To celebrate the “AUSOME” (awesome) students at Ralston Middle School who have autism, our Circle of Friends groups voted on what they would like to do to mark Autism Acceptance Month. The most popular vote was having a group member read a fact about autism on the intercom during morning announcements. We had spring break during April, so we made the announcements during the last 2 ½ weeks of April. Group members volunteered to read the announcements and were given their announcements ahead of time so they could practice if they wanted to do so. Most of the students volunteered to read, and they all did a great job!! I received compliments from staff about what a nice job the students did! I was very proud of all of them! Here are a few pictures of some of the students.

Fremont Public School's COF Writes Awareness Book

Shared by Ariana Struck

Our class used the Student Treasures Publishing to make our own Circle of Friends book. This way my kids could explain Circle of Friends and autism in their own words. The kids loved it!

Disability, Invisibility, and Inclusion Free Curriculum for Grades 5-8

This free curriculum may be just the thing you're looking to teach disability awareness and advocacy. The following is provided for you:

History of disability invisibility slide deck
Shadow box project lesson
Please Don’t microaggression lesson
Disability policy activity ideas
Poster download

All materials are also available in Spanish.

Link to free materials HERE

Start your own Movement!

Shared by Eliyah Liel

My son's first grade teacher started her own "me too" movement. On the first day of class she had all of them stand and say what their favorite hobby is, or what their favorite toy is, or favorite food, etc. If you also like it, you must say, "Me too" and go stand within that group. The children had so many things in common they were continuously shouting, "Me too!", and moving from group to group. The children instantly realized just how much they have in common with their classmates and that made them less anxious, more relaxed and comfortable, laughing and talking quickly and making friends.

Student Created Autism Awareness Videos

Shared by Mandy Smidt, ESU 5

Like last year, I had my preschool, first grade, and third grade Circles of Friends help create videos educating the community about autism for Autism Acceptance month. The kids love doing it and are so proud to *star* in their videos. The principal posts them on Facebook as well. For the first week, there was an autism fact fortune teller (i.e. cootie catcher) give-away for all elementary students, the second week they received a rainbow infinity autism symbol sticker, the third week was a kit for making paper clip/perler bead fidgets. The fourth week we are creating group art projects in the Circle of Friends groups, and all other students are having a coloring contest (lower grades) or poster contest (upper grades) with the theme of Accept-Embrace-Celebrate.

Screenshot 2023-04-23 at 8.09.00 PM - Mandy Smidt.png

AUTISM ACCEPTANCE 2023--Week 2.mp4

AUTISM ACCEPTANCE 2023--Week 3.mp4

AUTISM ACCEPTANCE 2023-Week 1.mp4

School Wide Autism Awareness

Shared by Lachelle Zuhlke

Our COF staff and students prepared autism awareness materials for the entire school to do for a week during the daily homeroom lessons. The lessons shared information about what autism is and how students and staff can help spread kindness to others. The lessons were well-received by the students! Our COF students enjoyed the conversations we had in our own homeroom about autism and their personal journeys and experiences.

Lachelle’s Tip:

Engage your peers in helping to spread awareness through their words and actions.

In a Different Key

Get cozy, pour your favorite cup of coffee or tea, and watch the new PBS documentary A Different Key It's the story of the first person diagnosed with autism and the life he was able to lead due to community support. You'll hear from others who lacked this support and their recommendations for helping include individuals with autism. It's bound to affirm the work you're doing with Circle of Friends!

In A Different Key | PBSHow life turned out for the first child diagnosed with autism, and what acceptance means.

McCook's Circle of Friends in the News!

Shared by Jennifer Junemann and Cortney Crocker

Circle of Friends helps to see beyond differences. Read HERE about McCook's elementary, junior high, and high school's programs in their local news.

Disability Awareness Lessons Packet and Book

Bev Adcock and Michael L. Remus

COF facilitators may find these activities a good resource to teach disability awareness. Lessons include: autism, learning disabilities, communication disorders, hearing impairments, intellectual disabilities, physical disabilities, and vision impairments, along with a section on disability in the media. The lessons pair well with the book, Just Ask! Be Different, Be Brave (video on right) by Sonia Sotomayor. Check them out!

www.dvusd.org/cms/lib/AZ01901092/Centricity/Domain/1318/Disability%20Awareness%20Packet%202.pdf

Students at Tri-County Schools Create Amazing Autism Awareness Videos to Share Schoolwide--Perfect for sharing with your students.

Shared by Mandy Smidt, Tri-County Schools, Diller-O'Dell Senior High

For each week of April I had one of my Circle of Friends groups--one kindergarten class, one second grade class--help create videos to help people understand Autism better and learn how to show kindness and understanding of people with Autism. There was a handout item that all the elementary students received each week as they were shown the videos. Videos were shared on the school's Facebook page as well, explaining what the children had received and learned.

Week 1--M & M Autism Video (Students received a bag with each color M & M with slip that showed what each color/letter represented)

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1VnyoxhQGclEUFrlRhtZx4NJNwaRr5jAK/view?usp=sharing

Week 2--Autism Fact Spinners Video (Students received a "kit" with the template with Autism facts)

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1gB2AHRwz-qpUQuz1sw3nkmr1Vfr0nZX7/view?usp=sharing

Week 3--Circle of Friends Video (Students received a friendship bracelet)

https://drive.google.com/file/d/14I-hkiQDuM1N2niNw-whOP80s-3-mzaI/view?usp=sharing

Week 4--Blue Puzzle Piece (Students received blue puzzle-piece-shaped cookies)

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1JcfI5m44OUdyYpMFG4kzSNRN5NkWst4f/view?usp=sharing

The kids were so excited and proud of their videos. :)

Mandy

Tri-County Autism Awareness T-Shirt Fridays

Shared by Jenna Fehringer

The staff at Tri County Public Schools celebrated Autism Awareness month by wearing ASD shirts every Friday during the month of April. Attached is the picture we took on the last Friday of April.

Let's Connect--No One Eats Alone

Shared by Stacy Stewart, Selby-Rising City

Let’s Connect is a national program to help end social isolation and encourage inclusion. I signed up for the program(free) and they sent me a box of goodies(stickers, beach balls, bracelets, conversation cards, posters). Our Circle of Friends group used these materials to get to know each other more. Also we plan to use these materials during our No One Eats Alone lunch event. Link to info and free materials:

www.beyonddifferences.org/lets-connect/

Then, our Circle of Friends group hosted a No One Eats Alone event during lunchtime. It was a time to meet new friends and have conversations! The kids were given a color slip when they went through the lunch line and that showed them what table to sit at. Music was playing and conversation cards were on the table. It was a great event to build friendships!

Using Social Media to Spread Awareness

Have you considered spreading awareness about your groups to the larger community via platforms such as Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram? More and more schools have school activity social media accounts and encourage teachers to share on them. Idea: Select a few CoF kids to be your 'social media managers'--taking photos and sharing on school social media sites.

'Be Kind' Resources for Your CoF Groups

Here is a really awesome resource with free lesson plans for various aspects related to kindness (teamwork, empathy, etc.) And, it's organized by grade level. Check it out: Kindness Lesson Plans (HS teachers, look under "additional resources"). You do have to make an account to download the PDF's but it is FREE! The video on the right is just one of the many resources available.

Autism Awareness at Amherst

Shared by Stacy Ringlein

Amherst School is recognizing Autism Awareness the whole month of April. We are wearing our shirts every Wednesday during the month of April. Our shirt was designed by one of Circle of Friends members. First picture is most of our K-12 school and the second picture is our Circle of Friends group (missing some that were at other activities). It has been a crazy month of school activities!

What Is Your Circle of Friends "Brand"?

Shared by: Mary Schlieder and Jen Faz, Norris High School

We've found the longer your school continues to have a Circle of Friends group, it becomes part of the fabric of your school, just like the football team, FFA, and speech. It has in ours. Recently, students in art classes were asked to create murals for different hallways in our building. These girls, not in Circle of Friends, found the bully prevention message. The hand prints were done, signed and dated, by kids in our Circle of Friends, and staff members joined in as well. The Circle with student hand prints has evolved to become our official Circle of Friends symbol at Norris High School. These murals will serve as good reminders to all students on a daily basis.

The Movie 'Wonder'--A Teaching Tool For Your Circle of Friends Groups

The movie 'Wonder' is now at movie theaters and getting rave reviews. For those unfamiliar, the book is about a boy with a facial anomaly who leaves homeschool and a supportive family environment to attend regular public school. The themes include disability awareness, bully prevention, and friendship. We plan to take our Circle of Friends group to see the movie this month. Here are some resources to use with your students if you choose to go see this movie:

Just Like You Films: Facial Anomalies

Wonder Movie Trailer

Wonder Ideas on Pinterest

Student Activities for Wonder

Autism Awareness Video

Shared by: Ashley Kouba

After a few ice breaker, "getting to know you" activities, you're likely ready to begin some autism awareness with your groups. Thank you, Ashley, for sharing this particular video. If you scroll down here in 'Share Your Ideas and Resources', you'll find others for every age and grade level.

Amazing Things Autism Awareness

HTRS Circle of Friends Presents at Peru State College

The HTRS 5th grade COF spoke to Candy Blecha's Peru State College class in November. Candy began COF's at HTRS several years ago and began and led the 5th graders last year. Candy left HTRS in May of 2016 to begin her new position as an early childhood instructor at PSC. The COF students were thrilled to be invited by Candy and meet her students.

The 5th graders include 2 students with autism. Each one shared Powerpoints explaining what autism is like for them, followed with stations for all students to interact with each other. Stations included a few of the students' favorite games/activities that they play during meetings which included their very favorite, Go Noodle. To end their presentation, COF members took part in a panel of discussion with many questions asked of the group. After the class was dismissed, several students stayed to ask more questions and offer heartfelt compliments. One college student offered to give the COF's a tour of the college and the sports complex which they gracefully accepted with a huge amount of excitement after enjoying a wonderful nacho bar provided by Candy Blecha.

Friendship and Other Weapons: Group Activities to Help Young Girls Aged 5-11 to Cope With Bullying

Shared by: Jackie Engelhardt

Here's a link to a site with information on this book. It comes highly recommended by a teacher who was asked by her principal to work with a group of girls for whom this was a problem. Friendship and Other Weapons. Here's a testimonial to the program along with an explanation of how it can be used:

"We had a group of fifth grade girls two years ago that were particular nasty to each other. Our principal had girls coming to her every week complaining about being left out or teased by other girls in their class. She asked me if I would have a girls group with them to discuss issues and work on social skills girls need in order to build healthy relationships. Who can say no to a principal request? We met once a week during lunch recess and then ate lunch together. I used the book Friendships and Other Weapons. The book talks about girls, as young as five, are experiencing acts of bullying, disguised as friendship, that shake their self-image, personal values, and beliefs about peer relationships. The book offers thought-provoking discussions, engaging games, strength-discovering exercises, and confidence-boosting activities. It provides hands-on activities in Friendship. It helps build critical knowledge and friendship survival skills such as recognizing the red flags of girl bullying, responding assertively to bullying behavior, realizing personal strengths, becoming an ally to others, and resolving conflicts directly. There were book suggestions to read with the group and journaling exercises after each lesson. Even though the books were children books, they loved them. It was a ready-to-use group curriculum aimed at helping girls build constructive and fulfilling friendships. I personally felt that the book was a huge success. The girls seemed to enjoy our group and there were fewer and fewer girls reporting to our principal by the end of the year. It didn’t work into my schedule the next year to continue the group, but I had several girls asking me if we could continue so we worked it out to meet twice a month the next year. The power of bibliotherapy and discussion was evident."

Autism Awareness Materials

As you prepare to teach peers about their classmates with autism, you may find some useful books and videos on this list. The videos are free on the internet. The ESU may have some of the books in their lending library.

Peer Sensitivity Resources By Grade Level

Through Our Eyes: Living with Asperger's Documentary

This well-done documentary is a valuable tool in understanding this syndrome. It's appropriate to show teens and young adults as an awareness tool. The filmmaker is a girl with Asperger's.

Through Our Eyes: Living With Asperger Syndrome

I Am A Witness Anti-Bullying Website and App--Brilliant!

The I Am A Witness site explains the idea behind the iWitnessbullying app. Kids can use a special emoji to step in and stop bullying online. There's also a very cool link to Send Kindness to anyone they see being victimized online. You can read more about this campaign by clicking here. Introducing and explaining how this works to any students who are old enough to use social media would be an excellent Circle of Friends meeting topic.

Boon Central First Graders Learn About Autism and Celebrate Kindness

Shared by: Joelle Feeney

At Boone Central Elementary in Albion, we celebrated the end of our Circle of Friends group with a class party. Our group consisted of our target student and the 1st grade class. Students rotated in and out of Circle of Friends and all were able to learn about Autism and their special friend. Our target student wrote letters to each classmate, inviting them to the party. After letters were 'delivered' in the classroom, the group went outside for some fun. All classmates were given ice cream and a hula hoop to celebrate their kindness as a part of Circle of Friends!

9-Year-Old Explains Her Autism During Morning Announcements

Part of the process of learning to become a self advocate involves our students learning about their own autism...their strengths as well as their challenges. This 9-year-old took it a step further--She spread awareness in her own school during the morning announcements. This might be a helpful way to explain autism in simple terms to younger students. Watch Video Here

Everyone Has Something Lesson

Shared by: Nancy Briggs

Here is a lesson idea that we did at Shell Creek Elementary. It was very powerful for both the target students and the peers.

We read the book Everyone Has Something-Together We Can by Sarah Kesty. It is a book that inspires everyone to love their differences. The book talks about the various challenges we have and inspires us to overcome them. A repeating line in the book is: Everyone has something. Something good and something tough. When your something becomes challenging, you’ll find you’re strong enough. The books ends by saying: Your story can help people who are struggling like you. Your something will show others that they can triumph too! So hold tight to your something, to your courage and your might. With time and perseverance, everything will be alright!

We read this book together and then our two facilitators (an SLP and a Resource teacher) each shared a “something” that they have struggled with and had to overcome. The kids were amazed to realize their teachers had a “something”. We talked about how everyone has a “something” - some are just more noticeable than others. We asked the kids in our circle if anyone would like to share their something. Almost all of them were very anxious to. The session ended up being very powerful as all of the peers and target students ended up sharing their “something”. Some of the peers shared things such as, “I have really flat feet so I have to wear special arches in my shoes so my feet don’t hurt” and “In third grade I had a problem with my stomach and I couldn’t eat food so I had to have a feeding tube for months.” Hearing the peers share their struggles gave the target students confidence to share their own struggles and opened it up to great conversation about their issues and how they are overcoming them.

As we look back over the year, this was one of our most powerful sessions and was moment that we can pinpoint when we saw our kids bond and come together over what they had the same instead of focusing on how they were different. We all have struggles and we can all triumph!

Autism Simulation Videos

Shared by Beth Roelfs

I am working on building understanding of sensory issues with folks with autism and found this resource I wanted to share with the COF teams.

5 Autism Simulation Videos

Another great resource for helping peers understand the need for sensory supports and also full of good ideas for teachers:

Arnie and His Sensory Tools

Say Something Bully Prevention and Safety Program

Check out this initiative from the Sandy Hook Promise group. Schools can receive a free kit containing lessons, videos, and ideas for teaching kids to say something when an unsafe situation is brewing. There are activities for small groups, classrooms, as well as school-wide initiatives. It might be a good COF service project or learning activity.

Say Something Activity Guide

Say Something Sandy Hook Initiative

Brave Starts Here

This video, a 13 minute TED Talk by Lizzie Velasquez, a woman born with a condition affecting her appearance and the ability to gain weight, is a must see for CoF groups (appropriate for grades 5 or 6-12) learning how to be strong in the face of adversity. In addition to sharing the ups and downs of living with her disability, she details how she used an extremely hurtful cyber bullying incident to motivate her to be her very best. This video would be a good jumping off point for discussions on cyberbullying, becoming an upstander in a bully situation, overcoming adversity, and/or accepting individual differences.

A Brave Heart: How Do You Overcome Adversity?

More Resources for Teaching Peer ASD Awareness

Some excellent resources for peer ASD awareness can be found on the ASD Network Resource Exchange site. There are presentations, videos, and handouts for various age groups. No need to reinvent the wheel. Check them out!

Resources for Talking to Peers About Autism

Video Lesson: Think Before You Speak

This is a more serious video for adolescents on bullying related suicide prevention.

Think Before You Speak

New Autism Awareness Video: Just Like You Autism

Just Like You Videos has released a new film this year on autism awareness.

Just Like You Autism

Their other films on Down syndrome, burn victims, and cancer survivors are also excellent resources. They are currently working on a new project on the topic of children with facial abnormalities.

Just Like You Films

This would be a good video to show students in April for Autism Awareness Month.

Explaining Circle of Friends to Students

Shared by: Rosemary Patras, Elkhorn Valley Elementary

Kids that are not in Circle of Friends ask a lot of questions about it (and want to be in it). This lesson was a good way to explain it to the class, plus do an activity with the focus student and mentors' entire class.

Elkhorn Valley Elementary Circle of Friends decorated cookies for their classmates. After passing out their cookies, the mentors explained what Circle of Friends consisted of and answered questions from classmates. While the students enjoyed their cookies I (facilitator) read the book, Have You Filled a Bucket Today? by Carol McCloud. It explained that you filled your bucket as well as others' buckets by saying kind words or doing nice deeds. Just as you can fill someone's bucket, you can also take away from one's bucket by saying or doing negative things. The students were then asked how they feel when someone compliments or does a kind deed for them. We discussed how they feel when they do something nice for others. The students also gave examples of how they can fill others' buckets.

Student Created Public Service Announcement and Presentation on ADHD

Shared by: Sheila Hubbard, York High School

Our Circle of Friends group created a Public Service Announcement and presentation about being inclusive and ADHD. Jeremy was recommended to be a target student his freshman year at York High School. He did not want to be. This year as a 10th grader he came and asked to be a peer mentor. His presentation is being shared at two Circle lunch meetings the month of November.

ADHD by Jeremy

PSA Being a Positive Change in the World

Internet Videos on the Topic of Mental Illness for Middle and High School Ages

Hear directly from the experts--the kids themselves!

Mind Matters Part 1

Mind Matters Part 2

Mind Matters Part 3

Finding Lonely Students--Simple...Brilliant

Discover a simple method developed by a classroom teacher to identify students in need:

A Teacher's Inspiring Mission to Prevent Bullying

An Activity For Identifying Lonely Students

Creating a Caring Classroom Culture Symbaloo Website

Symbaloo

Eagle Elementary Circle of Friends T-Shirts

Shared by Abbey Manning

We had t-shirts made and the kids absolutely love them! We made them with school colors so on Viking Spirit Day the kids are very proud to wear them! Here they are pictured with our principal.

High School Yearbooks

Shared by: Betty Hatfield, Kearney High School

Betty shared that they have a Circle of Friends page in their high school yearbook. What a great way to increase visibility for the program! According to Betty, one COF student's parents allow no digital publishing of their child at all, but they made an exception for this feature in their yearbook.

More and more schools are including a Circle of Friends page in their yearbooks. At right is an example from the Norris High School 2016-17 yearbook.

School Hallway Meeting/Event Reminder and COF Photo Bulletin Board

Visual reminders are so important, and this bulletin board is one way our Circle of Friends group keeps up with meetings and events. We also put up pictures of the kids participating in various meeting activities. Not only do the kids in the group love seeing themselves on the bulletin board, it's good "advertising" for our group and one more way to promote awareness.

Using Technology for Meeting Notifications

Since older kids' phones are practically glued to their bodies, why not use them to make your life as a facilitator easier? Set up an email list with your Circle kids' numbers. Then, notify and remind them of meetings and events via text. Keep in mind you'll have to have an alternative way to communicate with kids who don't have this technology option. We do a combination of texts, emails, school bulletin notice, and an old-fashioned (but cute!) bulletin board located in a school hallway with meeting and event notices.

Teaching About Autism DVD's

Shared by Monica Gotschall

Some of my favorite resources have been two movies we've watched together this year. Intricate Minds shows many students with Aspergers in an interview format. It's a quick movie-short enough for a lunch period, and provides for fabulous conversation with both the focus student and their peers. Nice viewpoints. Also, we watched the movie,Temple Grandin, starring Clair Danes. We enjoy this as it shows a person with amazing talents, and some obstacles, excelling with those talents. We don't want to change people, we want to help them gain insight, grow and exceed. The movie does a great job of showing the highs and lows that people with autism experience in their lives. We go on to discuss how we can help support others in a kind and compassionate way.

Blue Out at Alma Public Schools

Shared by Tammy Wells

Being a little ‘BLUE’ never felt so good! April is World Autism Month and to help celebrate Autism Awareness Alma Public K-12 came together for a ‘Blue Out Day’ to show their support for APS students on the Autism Spectrum. On Thursday, April 13, 2017 you would have noticed several students and staff wearing the color blue. The morning kicked off with students gathering in the main gym for photo ops with frames made by the 6th grade Circle of Friends group and a main poster create by a staff member all in celebrating the awareness that all people are uniquely beautiful and that everyone deserves acceptance. Many stickers and tattoos were given out in support of autism as well as autism marked bookmarks, bracelets, stress balls, pencils, and more. The Alma Circle of Friends groups concluded their day with an outing to the local Dairy Barn for ice cream. Thank you to APS students and staff for their participation in making “Blue Out Day’ a success.

Light It Up Blue Autism Awareness at Fillmore Middle School

Shared by Jenise Straight

April 3rd was Autism Awareness Day at Fillmore Central Middle School! Circle of Friends participants wore their new April is Autism Awareness month t-shirts! Circle of Friends participants gave a puzzle piece sucker, a pen and sticker to every student and staff member during Pride and staff members received puzzle piece lanyards.

Students and staff wore "blue" to "light it up blue" to celebrate April as Autism Awareness month.

Autism Awareness at CMS

Shared by Lachelle Zuhlke

The students at CMS have been busy preparing for Autism Awareness month! They put together a presentation with facts about autism that was shared with the entire school during the first week of April. Our group also designed and ordered t-shirts. We used our grant money to purchase a shirt for each student participating in COF. We also opened sales to staff members in the building and added $1 to the cost to raise money for the Autism Action Partnership. We were able to raise $40 and help spread awareness!

Autism Awareness at Sunset Hills, Shared by Joan Tucker

Northeast Elementary in Kearney Celebrates and Educates for Autism Awareness Month, Shared by Amy Godinez

We took a school wide picture of everyone wearing blue. Everyone received a glow in the dark blue bracelet. We put blue handprints on a poster, we made a power point presentation, and had a pizza party.

Tri-County Elementary Autism Awareness

Shared by Jenna Fahringer

Tri County Elementary School kicked off Autism Awareness Month with our first and second graders all wearing TC Team Autism Shirts.

Alma Cardinals Autism Awareness,

Shared by Tammy Wells and Jessica Howsden

Questions were roaming about Alma Public School in Alma, NE on April 1, 2016. Where were you on March 31st, 2016? Can anyone vouch for your whereabouts? Do you have an alibi?

One student replied proudly, “I was decorating the school with my friends for Autism Awareness month!”

Alma Circle of Friends gathered together after school on March 31st for some food, fun, and friendship to honor our friends diagnosed with Autism. Each student involved was asked to create their own puzzle piece to display in the halls of our school. After enjoying pizza and cookies the students were turned loose in the halls of education to ‘share their awareness’. From elementary to the halls of secondary the awareness started to show through the students own designed puzzle pieces to banners, ribbons, puzzle piece hearts, and more. The excitement grew with each item that was placed on a wall or in a room, ‘Autism Awareness’ had arrived at Alma Public School.

Our faculty, staff, and the entire student body witnessed what the Circle of Friends had created within our building; and the Circle of Friends were proud to enter into a building that they had helped decorate the day before. April was kicked off with students receiving tattoos, stickers, bracelets, and pencils that helped promote Autism Awareness. When someone asked a Circle of Friends peer what is Circle of Friends? The response was heartwarming,

“It’s friends hanging together having a great time and being supportive of each other. The best part is that no one is judged for being who they are in that group. We are all different and enjoy being ourselves, together.”

Whether this group is going to the movies, decorating pumpkins, or decorating a school; they are an amazing group of ‘FRIENDS’.

Posters and Autism Video at Willowdale Elementary

Shared by Jessica Koza

During Autism Awareness month our Circle of Friends groups created posters about autism to be placed around the school and were encouraged to wear blue on World Autism Day. The whole school spent 30 minutes learning about autism in small groups and watching part of the Just Like You video. It was loved by teachers and students!

Autism Awareness at Northeast Elementary in Kearney, shared by Amy Godinez

April 2nd was AMAZING!! I am so proud of my CoF groups and overwhelmed by the turnout of our project. During the month of March my Circle of Friends groups worked hard to prepare a presentation that they presented to each grade level at Northeast Elementary. They discussed what autism is, the characteristics, causes, and facts. At the end of the presentation, my two students who have autism shared with the school that they have it. It was a real tear jerker. Also, everyone was given a puzzle piece to write on. They were supposed to write 'What makes you, YOU??!!'. The reason for this topic was because we have always talked about just because a person has autism, it doesn't make them any different. We are all different in one way or another. We also had a pizza party and I gave them Eileen's Cookies and their CoF t-shirts. They designed them and came up with the saying. In the beginning of the year my CoF group and kiddos who have autism didn't even know what it was, and check this out...now my whole school knows what it is and is raising awareness. My heart is full!

Autism Awareness at Alma Public School

Shared by Jessica Howsden

April 2nd started out as a normal school day for Alma Public School in Alma, NE. Staff, elementary, and secondary students started filing into the building one after another in a parade of BLUE! To top it off, the school also declared a hat day! What a heartwarming feeling to see the support for children and adults that face everyday adventures when faced with autism. Our kiddos with ASD here in Alma are surrounded with support from their parents, their teachers, their Circle of Friends, and many more people in the school and community.

Kenwood Elementary, Kearney Public Schools Staff T-Shirts Promote Student Discussion and Awareness, shared by Trisha Abels

Our staff was given the option to buy these autism awareness t-shirts and many chose to purchase one. We even took another order because even more were interested. The staff will wear our blue shirts every Friday during the month of April. What's neat is kids are asking what autism is after seeing so many teachers wearing the same shirts. Therefore, our TLC (Transitional Learning Center) sent all staff ideas of how to explain autism in a 'kid friendly' way. I'm proud to be part of such a caring and supportive staff.

Teaching Peers About Autism at Kearney Public Schools

Trisha Abels

Our school wore blue on April 3rd and I was amazed how many teachers and students participated. We really appreciated the stickers you provided us ("Ask me why I'm wearing blue"). Then one of our teachers prepared a presentation for each grade to teach them about autism. I asked my Circle of Friends group what autism was before the presentation. One 2nd grader thought autism was when a person can't hear. They had no idea! Then we watched one of those videos you shared. I forwarded the videos to all of our staff. My circle's 2nd grade teacher shared more of the videos and obviously did lots more instruction because the kids had many accurate details to share the following week. My focus student's parents have chosen not to tell him he has this label. However, the peers saw the connection between what they were learning and some of his behaviors. We have done several fund raisers this year so decided to wait until next year. Thanks for your support!

Posters for Autism Awareness at Seward Public Schools

Shared by Candice Bridgford

Our eighth grade group is doing a number of activities. Attached is a flyer of events and also some pictures of them making posters to put up in the hallway. I also sent teachers video links to share with their homeroom kids (scroll below to access videos). We will have several group members sharing facts about autism or tips on how to be a friend over the intercom each day.

Lighting It Up Blue! Autism Awareness at Creek Valley Schools

Shared by Erica Priest

Wall of Kindness, Norris High School

Shared by Matt Hager, Jen Faz, Lori Oelling, and Mary Schlieder

Our CoF group organized a Wall of Kindness for April Autism Awareness month. The kids went in pairs to all the classrooms in the building and read a script about characteristics of autism along with the names of famous, successful people with ASD. They then handed out puzzle pieces and asked students throughout the school to write about a kindness someone extended to them at some point. The wall is a reminder to extend caring and support to classmates with autism.

Autism Awareness In Your School Libraries

Our wonderful media specialists have put together a collection of both fiction and non-fiction books on the topic of autism for autism awareness month for staff and students. A notice was sent out in our daily bulletin to take a look. How awesome is that? Chances are, your media specialist would love to do this too! No books on autism in your school library? Make your media specialist aware of titles you think kids would enjoy and perhaps a collection could be ordered for next school year.

Autism Awareness Videos

Looking for resources for Autism Awareness Month? Check out the videos below!