I'm thinking of speaking to schools in my area about autism?

Question

As a parent of a child with autism I have gone through a lot & learned a lot over the years my son used to be very autistic but because of therapy is now mildly autistic and is now attending a public school. I've often been frustrated with teachers & parents being so uneducated on the subject that I would like to go to the schools in my area to educate them on autism and was wondering is this something I should charge the schools & if so how much. I'm not doing this for money so I'm not sure if I'd feel comfortable taking the money unless maybe I donate it to autism research. What do you all think?

Answer 1

I think that's a great idea... apart from being paid. You could always say that if they wanted to do a bake sale that week then all the money from that could go to an autism charity.

having just done a project at uni on savant and autism then I have discovered so much more about the topic, and I know it's important to teach children (and misguided adults) the importance of dealing with different needs. Assemblies would be good, maybe other parents you know would like to help out - that way you could do different areas and not have to travel so much.

You should approach all age groups from primary to high school as at every stage children will take it in and use this information to go forward with their lives.

if you contact the schools then they might be able to tell you the teacher who deals with these bits and then you can discuss how to go about it!

Good luck!!!

Answer 2

Hello Janice,

I know you are not going to like hearing this...  but you will probably not get permission to do this from your child's school or school district....  so no real need in  giving thought as to whether to charge them.    Speakers of credibility.... like the police, or fire department or motivational speakers are there to address the students... not the teachers... and come voluntarily.  If you want to address the individuals that can implement change,  you are going to have to ask for and arrange allotted time during a monthly school board meeting.  If they think your information is beneficial to their schools' faculty they will set dates and times to  address teachers and principals.   But it is very doubtful they will.   Unless you are a Dr. or other professional with expertise in autism....  you have little chance of influencing certified teachers and principals who work with these children daily.

That is hard to hear... but in the real world that is how it is... whether we like it or agree with it or not.

Answer 3

As a professional public speaker myself, I think you should absolutely get paid.

As a matter of fact, some will not take you seriously if you don't.

The requirement of joining the National Public Speakers Association, which will get you in doors is that you have been paid to speak.

Further, when you do it for free, you make it harder for those of us who are trying to earn a living doing this.

As to giving the money to research, that is your choice. However, if you were to write a book and self publish, you will need thousands of dollars to get started.

The money you make will only further your ability to educate the society we live in.

If you speak at a college, you should charge about $2500.

They have a tremendous budget for just this. Think of it. Colleges have the future teachers and future parents of kids faced with this. If you try to do it strictly our of charity, you will go broke, unless your independently wealthy.

Don't be afraid to be successful.

Best wishes on how ever you proceed.

Answer 4

This is a great idea, however I don't think you should charge the schools, it takes away from the goal: to promote awareness. Your goal isn't to make money, but to educate others, so just educate.

I understand that might take up a chunk of time to go around to schools and such. But see what the administrators say, usually assemblies are a great way to reach out to the school, but it might be ]hard to schedule. You can make pamphlets for students and teachers to take home and reference (it can accompany the assembly or it would stand alone).

I also would talk to the middle school and high school newspapers and ask them if they could do an article on autism for their paper. As editor of my school newspaper, I get parents who ask to put certain topics in (autism included) more often than one thinks. It will not cost you anything, and you won't be spending too much time while still reaching your audience.