i want to run an autism awareness workshop.

Post Reply New Topic

I want to start an awareness workshop at my community college. starting that Autism isn't a bad thing, It's a difference, and that the lack of acceptance of the way a person is erects the communication barrier between verbal people with autism and the unaffected. with the nonverbal persons, there's no way to project their personality to the outside world, so other people, even the affected persons parents feel "robbed" in some way. What i don't understand is how there's a grudge against the whole autism spectrum of disorders? What is Autism speaks' true mission?

Any ideas of how to run an awareness workshop? is it possible to record and podcast it?
Questions to ask participants:
Raise your hand if you've seen an "person with autism/autistic person" in the last 24 hrs.
I am suggesting you are autistic. why would you be offended at that suggestion?
How are ppl in the spectrum categories different from "normal people"?
What is wrong with being autistic?
How does each participant tell if someone's autistic?
*assign roles to participants consistent with spectrum disorder literature* have participants "act" like they have autism.
How do affected individuals think in pictures?
thanks,
-Tom

I think it is a fantastic idea, I'd definatly try and go for it! I would say yes you probably would be able to do it as a podcast if you know how to, or even put it through YouTube and get a wider audience. I think some of the things you have suggested are great questions but I believe there are a lot of people who wouldn't be honest with their answers. I think you should definatly give this a try, I'd maybe say to try and do a fact or fiction thing where you could ask things that are known cliches of autism such as people with autism can't speak and ask your audience whether they think these things are true or not, this might mean you can really surprise them. I hope everything goes well!