Autism Awareness Linky Party

Some of my favorite Bloggy friends and I teamed up to bring awareness to Autism by hosting  an Autism Awareness Linky Party April 1 - 12th.  April 2nd  is also World Autism Day.  April is also Autism Month.  Together, we can do our part to bring awareness to the teaching community.  

Each of the fabulous Blogs you will be visiting feature an Autism-friendly freebie to use in your classroom. We are so excited to share these materials with you, and to also bring awareness to Autism.  

Autism Facts & Statistics - Did you know?

• Definition of Autism: A developmental disorder that affects the brains normal development of social and communication skills.  Most children develop the disorder by time they are 3 years of age.
• 1%  of the child population in the U.S. ages 3-17 have an Autism Spectrum disorder.
• Now,  1 in 88 children will have autism. (1 in 54 boys)
• Autism is the fastest growing developmetal disability in the U.S.
• Boys are about 5 times as likely to have Autism than girls.
• There is no detection or cure for Autism.

(Source information: Autism Speaks, CDC, Autism Society,  and Google.)

I have worked with children with Autism.  If I had one tip to share with those who create learning resources it is to keep it simple.  Even though we all LOVE and appreciate cute products,  when the printables become too "busy" it is harder for children with Autism to be able to focus on the images (That goes for a few other learning challenges as well).  You can still make cute products, but keep in mind how the items will be used and by the groups of children.

Many of the products you will find in this Blog hop are created specifically for this Hop or were adapted to fit the needs of Autistic children.  I hope that you will enjoy all of the items provided, and give a big thanks to the wonderful ladies who took the time to share their creative talents to participate in this event!  

Autism Sources

• Autism Speaks
• Autism Society
• Autism Science Foundation
• National Autism Association
• Autism Classroom News

Autism Freebies

Click the cover to download from Google Docs

Click the cover to download from Google Docs

Autism Awareness Giveaway!

To add a little FUN to this link up, we have a fabulous GIVEAWAY package for one lucky winner! This is a gift pack valued at over $125.00 which includes the items listed below!

(The drawing will be held on April 12th in the afternoon.  You can check back here on the 12th, as I will have the winner name posted, as well as contacting via email. :)

• Identifying Emotions, An Autistic Friendly Pack from Primary Paradise
• Tick Tock Measuring Time - from Ms Smarty Pants
• PECS Printable Books (Shapes, Colors, Numbers, Alphabet) from Crayonbox Learning
• Tunes for Teachers (Book)  from Susan Paul of The Fun Factory
• Autism Pack from Kathy and Susan of The Fun Factory
• Token Boards - From Chalk One Up for the Teacher
• Differentiated Essay Writing Unit from Arlene Manemann
• Missing Pieces Vowels from Life in Special Education
• Missing Pieces Long Vowels from Life in Special Education
• Color Words Unit from Merinda Powell, Pirate Girl Education Invasion
• Ice Cream Measuring from Teach with Laughter
• Autism Fairy Tales Story Box from Practice Makes (Almost) Perfect
• Spring Into Literacy from Cynthia Vautrot, 2nd Grade Pad
• Goats Don't Bathe - Personal Hygience Social Skill Story from Peggy Simpson
• Jenna's Brother Has Autism (Book) from Amber Fernbach, Author
• $25.00 Teachers Pay Teachers Gift Card from Teachers Toolkit

  

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Special thank yous:
To Karla for working so hard on the beautiful linky graphic, the wonderful bloggy friends who contributed to the giveaway:  Wendy, Martha, Samantha, Arlene, Merinda, Cyndie,Christi, Laureen, Mel,  Susan, Kathy, Cynthia, Lesley.  To Peggy Simpson who graciously donated a packet to the giveaway, and to Amber Fernbach who donated a copy of her book. Thank you to Margaret Bucklew For allowing me to use her puzzle piece graphic for the Giveaway.