This is the powerpoint that I presented to my students and peer mentors to kick off the Meet in the Middle program.

1. They may forget what you said but they will never forget how you made them feel. -- Anonymous Meet in The Middle

2. What is Autism Spectrum Disorder Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) is a term used to describe a group of developmental disorders including the following: -Autistic Disorder -Asperger’s Disorder -Pervasive Developmental Disorder – Not Otherwise Specified

3. What is Autism Spectrum Disorder ? Autism is a lifelong, developmental disability. Affecting the cognitive processing part of their brain. That means, people with Autism develop skills differently than most other people. But, they can learn and grow up to have jobs just like you. People with Autism may also have a different way of seeing, hearing, or feeling things. Like when you have gloves on in the winter and you try to pick up your pencil. It may be a little harder to pick up, but it feels different than when you don't have gloves on.

4. What is Autism Spectrum Disorder ? People with Autism may have difficulty communicating. Some kids with Autism cannot speak, so they may learn to use computers or a board with pictures on it to tell people what they want or how they feel. Having Autism is like living in a foreign country where you don't know the language, or like trying to learn the rules of a very difficult game.

5. How am I different from someone with Autism? Some people with Autism may have trouble talking. There are some people with Autism who don't speak at all, others who speak sometimes, and some who talk just like you. You may hear a person with Autism repeat a word or phrase that someone else said to them. This type of response is called Echolalia . Echolalia echo·la·lia the often pathological repetition of what is said by other people as if echoing them.

6. How am I different from someone with Autism? They do not often ask for what they want, need, or talk about their feelings. People with Autism may act a little differently from other people. They may spend much of their time alone or seem like they are not paying attention. They may act as if they can not see or hear other people.

7. How am I different from someone with Autism? Some people with Autism may rock their bodies back and forth, flick their fingers, or do other things which seem different. This is called a Stim or Stimming . Stimming (often done unconsciously) that self-stimulates one or more senses in a regulated manner.

8. How am I different from someone with Autism? It is not easy for people with Autism to make friends, because they may act differently. But, everybody Is different. That is what makes being friends with different people fun. You can learn a lot from each other.

9. 1 in 150 Children in the United States are diagnosed with Autism (CDC 2007) 1 to 1.5 million Americans have ASD ASD is the fastest growing developmental disability ASD has an 10 - 17 % annual growth Annual cost of ASD is $90 billion 90% of costs are in adult services Cost of lifelong care can be reduced by 2/3 with early diagnosis and intervention In 10 years, the annual cost will be $200-400 billion Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) Facts

10. Myth vs. Fact Children with autism never make eye contact. Many children with autism establish eye contact. It may be less than or different from the typical child, but they do look at people, smile, and express many other wonderful non-verbal communications.

11. Myth vs. Fact Inside a child with autism is a genius. The myth that a genius is hidden in a child with autism may exist because of the uneven nature of the skills that many children exhibit. Children with autism may have splendid physical skills, but no functional language. A child may remember the birthday of every child in his class at school, yet be unable to determine when to use the pronouns you or me appropriately. A child may read with perfect articulation and not understand the meaning of what he has read. Children with autism exhibit a full range of IQ scores. Most children with autism will exhibit significant delays in some areas of mental processing. A very small percentage exhibit above normal intelligence; an equally small percentage of children exhibit very low intellectual functioning.

12. Myth vs. Fact People with autism do not talk. Many children with autism develop good functional language. Most other children can develop some communication skills, such as sign language, use of pictures, computers, or electronic devices.

13. Myth vs. Fact People with autism cannot show affection. Probably one of the most devastating myths for families is the misconception that children with autism cannot give and receive affection and love. We know that sensory stimulation is processed differently by some children with autism, causing them to have difficulty expressing affection in conventional ways. Giving and receiving love from a child with autism may require a willingness to accept and give love on the child‘s terms. Sometimes the challenge for parents is waiting until the child can risk a greater connection. Parents, grandparents, aunts, uncles, and friends may not understand a child‘s aloofness, but can learn to appreciate and respect his/her capacity for connection with others.

20. Famous People With Autism Albert Einstein Physicist

22. Oath I, state your name, as a peer mentor for Meet in the Middle at Kirby IB World Academy, promise to offer my fellow students friendship and availability, to praise their efforts and good performance, to assist with their academic development, and bridge the gap between all students. I understand that it is an honor to be a peer mentor. So, I must continually reflect positive behaviors and attitudes through out the day. Meet in the Middle Kirby IB World Academy