Cartoons on Autism ?

Question

Do you know if there is any videos of sesame street or children's shows that talk about children with different abilities?

Since April is Autism Awareness Month I want to show my kindergartners something they can relate to. Anything I can buy?

Answer 1

I cannot think of any at the moment.  But there are some people that they can be around and learn about it.  Like go to the sheltered workshops for the disabled people in your area, they may have some autism.

Answer 2

This is not exactly what you asked for, but you may want to check out this book, "All Cats have Asperger's Syndrome" by Kathy Hoopmann.  It is a very sweet book.  It shows pictures of adorable kittens with such captions as "He likes to be near those he loves, but doesn't want them to hold him." or "... where small things fascinate him for hours and he can do the same thing over and over again..."  I bought my copy at Barnes and Noble in the Special Needs section.

Answer 3

I have a little girl with Autism and I usually reccomend the book "my sister Katie."  I have no idea about any cartoons through, I have never seen one.

I also wanted to thank you for speading awareness to your students. It makes life a little easier on me and my child. Thank You!!! You seem like a great teacher and great person.

Answer 4

Autism is a disability,not a talent as a lot of loony special ed teachers and therapists like to have U believe.

1 with POD-NOS/Asperger Syndrome,with ADD besides. I just want to work @ a normal middle income job for once in my life.

Answer 5

There is one called 'the transporters' which explains emotions, but this may be more appropriate for children WITH Autism (from National Autistic Society).

Otherwise there is a book called 'My Brother has Autism' which i bought for my little girl (play.com).

And i think it is a lovely idea, what you are doing.xx

Answer 6

My favorite (coloring) book is called "My Friend With Autism"  It is absolutey fabulous!  It is a coloring book that you can reproduce it for all the students and it sheds such a positive light on Autism.  It says things like My friend with autism is good at many things....he has a great memory....and elaborates on why his memory is great....

You really must add this to your collection.  I find that it explains autism to adults even better.  I use this book for everyone....any age....any reason....

Answer 7

I'm afraid I don't know of any cartoons, but I just wanted to compliment you for planning to share this subject with your kindergarten class! I wish my daughter's classmates had had this kind of awareness when they were in kindergarten. Kids these days are bound to meet other children on the autism spectrum, and the more aware and comfortable they are about the issues, the better off everyone will be.

I agree that the All Cats book is a good idea, if you can't find any cartoons. There's a picture book called Trevor Trevor that might be good as well. It don't think it mentions autism by name, but clearly the little boy in the book has some version of autism, and it describes his strengths as well as his differences.

Answer 8

There's an NFB animator by the name of Shira Avni who often does animated shorts based on children with disabilities. She did an animated short called John and Michael about two kids with Down Syndrome. She's working on another film along a similar vein. You could try to get in contact with her.

You should be able to purchase John and Michael from the NFB website:

http://www.nfb.ca

And you can try to contact Shira at [e-mail].