SPECIAL NEEDS ACCEPTANCE
MaryAnneSullivan-Scott
WE ARE ALL DIFFERENT
We all have different
skills that we are good
at, and other things that
are difficult for us.
I AM GOOD AT…
One thing that
I’m really good
at is ...
IT’S HARD FOR ME TO…
Something that is very
difficult for me is ...
HOW I FEEL…
When I can’t do
something very
well, I feel ...
SPECIAL NEEDS
People who have special
needs have challenges that
are extra-difficult for them.
SPECIAL NEEDS
Let’s take a look
at a few types
of special needs
and the
challenges they
present:
CEREBRAL PALSY
-may affect muscle control
or any of the 5 senses
CYSTIC FIBROSIS
-affects breathing and
energy
VISION IMPAIRED
-limited or no sight
HEARING IMPAIRED
-limited or no hearing
DOWN SYNDROME
-have an extra chromosome
that affects the way they grow
and learn
LEARNING DISABILITY
-an example of a Learning
Disability is Dyslexia
A sentenec mghit look tihs lkie
tehm to.
AUTISM
-affects the way the brain
works and how we react to
the world around us
Today, we are going to take
a closer look at AUTISM.
People with AUTISM are NOT
stupid, deaf, or wrong. They
are just different in some
ways.
Some of the things that are
easy for you-like talking,
learning, playing…
…and making friends, may
be very hard for some
people with
AUTISM……………
…and may be scary or
upsetting. One thing that
sometimes makes me
feel scared is …
People act differently when
they are upset. Some may
cry, get mad, and yell.
Others like to be quiet
and alone. When I’m
upset I usually ...
Can you name the 5 senses.
Some people with AUTISM
feel their senses very,
very strongly…
…and all the
information they
receive from their
senses can be very
overwhelming and
distracting.
Everyone settle and listen
to the soft, background
noises in your classroom.
Write down 1 noise that
you can still hear.
Now, imagine that
all the background noises
in your classroom are as
loud as the noises in the
cafeteria or gym…
…and you are trying to
complete a reading
assignment. Would the
reading assignment be
hard or easy for you to
complete?
How would that make you
feel?
That’s how it is all the time
for some people with
AUTISM.
Some people with AUTISM
have lots and lots of sights,
sounds, smells, tastes, and
touches that bother them
all the time.
How would you feel if
someone shined a
flashlight in your eyes?
Name 1 noise
that makes
you want to
cover your
ears.
What is your
least favorite
smell?
Sometimes things are
too hot, too cold, too
sharp, too slimy, or
too rough to touch.
What is something
you don’t like to
touch?
What food do
you never,
ever want too
eat?
Now, imagine all those
things you just thought
about occurred all day long.
How would
you feel?
Can you understand why
some people with AUTISM
seem upset, frustrated, or
overwhelmed at times?
Some people with AUTISM
may notice many, many
details; and may not like
clutter.
Now imagine
that you
studied for a
reading test
last night…
…and your teacher gave
you the test today but it
was written in German.
How would
you feel when
you tried to
take the test?
How do you
think you
would do on
that test?
Some people with AUTISM
become upset or nervous
when things change or
surprise them…
…sometimes they
will try to make
themselves feel
better by thinking
of something else,
or maybe even
somewhere else...
…other times they may
stim to feel more secure.
Stimming is repeated
movements, usually with
the hand(s).
Some people with AUTISM are
extremely uncomfortable with the
unexpected. Following a routine
schedule helps them
feel more comfortable.
Think about a
time when your
mom or dad
wasn’t able to
tuck you in at
night…
…or when the fire
alarm first goes
off, or even when
it is announced at
the end of the day
that there is a
change in your
bus number?
How do you feel when this
happens? Some people with
AUTISM feel this anxiety
with the slightest of
change in their daily life.
Some people
with AUTISM
play games
differently than
you.
How do you feel when your
friends play a game you
don’t like or aren’t good at?
Some people with
AUTISM do not talk.
Other times, they
may just repeat what
you say instead of
answering you.
Now, let’s imagine that you
are really, really sick but
you aren’t able to tell your
mom.
…what would
you do or how
would that
make you
feel?
Some people
with AUTISM
may not
understand
the way you
use certain
words.
They may think
the words or
expressions you
use, mean
exactly the way
they sound.
For example “that’s cool”…
…“can you
lend me a
hand?...”
“… or “what’s up?”.
Think about how we rely so
much on facial expressions
—
…your
teacher’s
glare when
she’s upset
with the
class…
that “look” your mom gives
you when you are not
behaving at church or at
the grocery store…
…or just a
simple
smile.
How would you feel if you
could not see or
understand a simple smile?
Some people with
AUTISM may not
understand facial
expressions, and
may not react to
your
conversation as
you may expect.
You may think
they are not
listening or
not interested
in what you
are saying.
Things to remember…
and…
and…
and…
and…
and…
Today, 1 in
68
children
have
Autism
according
to the
CDC.
Today, I hope you
have learned that
people with
AUTISM
are very
interesting and
they are very
brave to try hard
to do things we
take for
granted…
…and it’s very important to remember…
How can you be a better
friend to someone you
know who has AUTISM?
Here are a few helpful suggestions…
The End