Introduction

Can you imagine finding out your child is diagnosed with autism? Can you imagine watching the world around you and know that you are different. You are not like anyone else? Can you imagine being that teacher trying so hard to find a way to help them learn, or just simply help them out? Can you even imagine being a brother or sister, sticking up for them, taking care of them, or just helping them live in this world? Autism is a reality, and can be found among some in the world around us. Some individuals need assistance in almost all aspects of their daily lives, while others are able to function at a very high level and can even attend school in a regular classroom. All people with autism have difficulty with social interactions and relationships. Parents often describe their child with autism as preferring to play alone and making little eye contact with other people. There is no standard or “typical” person with autism. Many people with autism also have other conditions, such as below-normal intelligence or mood problems. There are so many different types of reactions an autistic child might take. Over 500,000 people have autism or a similar disability. Not many people know about it or even understand the disorder. In this webquest I have information that can help many understand what autism is and how it effects a parent, the autistic, the teachers, and the siblings.

The Quest

HOW DOES AUTISM AFFECT A CHILD'S BEHAVIOR?

The Process and Resources

In this WebQuest you will be working together with a group of students in class. Each group will answer the Task or Quest(ion). As a member of the group you will explore Webpages from people all over the world who care about AUTISM. Because these are real Webpages we're tapping into, not things made just for schools, the reading level might challenge you. Feel free to use the online Webster dictionary or one in your classroom.

You'll begin with everyone in your group getting some background before dividing into roles where people on your team become experts on one part of the topic.

Phase 1 - Background: Something for Everyone

Here are some basic questions that can help you understand what the realities of autism are. Use the internet links below to help you answer the questions.

1. What are the features of autism?
2. Based on this site discuss any causes of autism?
3. How would you classify the symptoms of autism?
4. How would you categorize who is affected?
5. Discuss the methods of diagnosing autism.
6. Identify any medications to help treat autism?
7. What kind of support will autistic children need?
8. What conclusions can you draw on how to help children with autism in school?

• Learn More About Autism - After using this link you will have a better understanding of autism.
• Center For The Study Of Autism - This site just provides many links that anyone can use.

Phase 2 - Looking Deeper from Different Perspectives

INSTRUCTIONS:

1. Individuals or pairs from your larger WebQuest team will explore one of the roles below.

2. Read through the files linked to your group. If you print out the files, underline the passages that you feel are the most important. If you look at the files on the computer, copy sections you feel are important by dragging the mouse across the passage and copying / pasting it into a word processor or other writing software.

3. Note: Remember to write down or copy/paste the URL of the file you take the passage from so you can quickly go back to it if you need to to prove your point.

4. Be prepared to focus what you've learned into one main opinion that answers the Big Quest(ion) or Task based on what you have learned from the links for your role.

PARENTS

Use the Internet information linked below to answer these questions specifically related to PARENTS:

A Mother's View

1. After reading the passage 'A Mother's View', do you agree or dissagree with this mother's opinion on what is most important for children with autism? Defend your response.

2. What do you believe is the mother's tone through out this passage?

3. Does this passage give you a different perspective on what is most important when facing autism? Explain your answer.

What Is Autism?

1. In your own words explain what the difference is between a medical diagnosis and a mother's diagnosis.

2. What is the difference between this mother's feelings compared to ' A Mother's View' feelings?

3. After reading this passage, if you were a parent whose view would you agree with and why?

Parent Of Autism

1. Why is autism described as having a triad of impairment?

2. In your own words describe why autism is a developmental disorder.

3. In your own words describe why autism is a spectrum disorder.

• A Mother's View - This site really provides the emotional value this mother has for her autistic son.
• What Is Autism? - This site explains not the medical definition of autism, but a mothers definition on what autism really is.
• Parent Of Autism - This link is to provide information to parents and others about autism.

THE AUTISTIC

Use the Internet information linked below to answer these questions specifically related to THE AUTISTIC:

An Inside View of Autism

1. After reading the experience of an autistic woman, what do you think was the most difficult thing to cope with, and why?

2. What method does this woman use to view things; for example, a good relationship with someone?

3. How does this woman describe herself as a child?

A Pioneer Of Autism

1. Why would a doctor tell her parents that she 'would be better born an idiot'?

2. How does this woman differ from the story that was read above?

3. What other illnesses accompany her in addition to autism?

A Place For All

1. How does this woman describe herself living with autism?

2. Being autistic frustrates her a lot. What does 'normal' mean to her?

3. 'Autistic people can do marvelous things. They need the space and opportunity to bloom, and the freedom to be themselves.' That is the last line of this passage. What would you do so that autistic people have space and opportunity to bllom, and have the freedom to be who they are?

• An Inside View of Autism - In this site you will understand what life is with autism.
• A Pioneer Of Autism - This site was written by a 49 year old autistic woman. She describes what her life has been like.
• A Place For All - This is a beautiful link that I recommend for all to read, it delivers much inspiration.

TEACHER

Use the Internet information linked below to answer these questions specifically related to TEACHERS:

Educating Children With Autism

1. If you were a teacher and found out you would have an autistic child in your class, what adaptation would you make to your class? Explain why.

2. If you were a teacher, what teaching tips would you feel appropriate to work with on the autistic children?

3. If problems were to develop what do you feel would be the best approach to resolve the problem?

Teaching Tips

1. If you were trying to teach reading or math to an autistic child, what would be the best method to use? Explain your answer.

2. Many autistic children have problems with sequence. What kind of approach would you use to help with sequencing? Why would you use that approach?

3. Some autistic children can sing better than they speak. Why do you think that occurs?

Tips For Teaching People with Autism

1. If a student with autism seems to not be learning something properly what kind of approach would you use so that they can be able to learning the material?

2. Why do you think it is important to use and interpret speech literally?

3. Give one example of each on how you can be positive, be creative, and be flexible with an autistic child.

• Educating Children With Autism - This link includes wonderful tips on how to aquire some teaching techniques and adaptations for the classroom.
• Teaching Tips - Using this link will provide useful teaching tips for children and adults with autism.
• Tips For Teaching People with Autism - This site has a lot of important tips that teachers can use.

SIBLINGS

Use the Internet information linked below to answer these questions specifically related to SIBLINGS:

Support For Siblings

1. What kind of problems do younger people that have siblings with autism come across throughout their lives? Why do you think this occurs?

2. 'Being a sibling of a person with an autistic spectrum disorder is not necessarily all bad.' What conclusions can you draw from this statement, why isn't it bad?

3. Why do you think siblings worry about taking care of their autistic brother/sister when their parent die?

Siblings Of Autism

1. What would be some of the things you would realize if you were a sibling of autism? Explain why you would realize them.

2. After reading her feelings on being a sibling, how do you think you would feel if you were put in the same position?

3. How exactly does autism effect the siblings, describe how it effects the maturity, self-concept and social competence, insight, tolerance, pride, and loyalty of the sibling?

We The Siblings

1. After reading 'My Story' in this site what do you think it feels like to be a sibling of autism?

2. What does she remember as being a 5 year old and finding out her brother was autistic? Explain the different emotions she felt.

3. This web site was made by a young girl to provide information on siblings, coming from a sibling. What kind of information did you learn from this?

• Support For Siblings - This link is very helpful for all siblings to have a better understanding of what autism really is.
• Siblings Of Autism - This is a support site. It contains information for all the siblings of autism.
• We The Siblings - This site was written by a sibling of autism.

Phase 3 - Debating, Discussing, and Reaching Consensus

You have all learned about a different part of AUTISM. Now group members come back to the larger WebQuest team with expertise gained by searching from one perspective. You must all now answer the Task / Quest(ion) as a group. Each of you will bring a certain viewpoint to the answer: some of you will agree and others disagree. Use information, pictures, movies, facts, opinions, etc. from the Webpages you explored to convince your teammates that your viewpoint is important and should be part of your team's answer to the Task / Quest(ion). Your WebQuest team should write out an answer that everyone on the team can live with.

Phase 4 - Real World Feedback

You and your teammates have learned a lot by dividing up into different roles. Now's the time to put your learning into a letter you'll send out for real world feedback. Together you will write a letter that contains opinions, information, and perspectives that you've gained. Here's the process:

1. Begin your letter with a statement of who you are and why you are writing your message to this particular person or organization.

2. Give background information that shows you understand the topic.

STATE THE TASK / QUEST(ION) AND YOUR GROUP'S ANSWER.

3. Each person in your group should write a paragraph that gives two good reasons supporting the group's opinion. Make sure to be specific in both the information (like where you got it from on the Web) and the reasoning (why the information proves your group's point).

4. Have each person on the team proofread the message. Use correct letter format and make sure you have correctly addressed the email message. Use the link below to make contact. Send your message and make sure your teacher gets a copy.

5. Create a survey to show how informed our society is on autism, you can ask questions like, Have you heard of autism before? Calculate your answers and create a graph showing your results.

6. Create a poster that provides information for autism that includes the following: Statistics, Definition of autism, the myths concerning autism, graphs, or charts, manifestation, teaching tips, include the graphs showing results from your survey, and pictures. Display these on a science tri-fold poster display board.

7. Create a brochure including information for autism that includes the definition of autism, the myths concerning autism, manifestations, and teaching tips.

Your Contact is: Ms. Donna Thompson

Conclusion

Autism lives among us. Not many are educated about the realities of autism. I hope that many of you have understood all the information I have put out there for you. Autism is something I have worked with and have first-hand experience on. I wanted to share with you some interesting and important information. Hopefully all of you were able to learn from this and have found something valuable in the time you have spent here.