Blog #248: Why I Hope to See “This is Autism” as a School Wide Summer Reading Book?

In my previous blog, I talked about some summer reading ideas to promote awareness and acceptance of neurodiversity to possibly read over the summer. One of the books that would make me happy to see as a possible school wide summer reading book is the book that I contributed to, “This is Autism” by Jessica Leichtweisz and Aidan Allman Cooper.

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Well, aside from the fact that yours truly was one of several individuals who contributed to this book, I think that the personal stories that myself and my colleagues shared can relate to those who are not only neurodiverse themselves but leave an impact on a school wide community.

The main objective for creating “This is Autism” in the first place was to open doors and build bridges within the community as a whole. Neurodiversity is everywhere and with the diagnosis ratio at 1 in 44, the need for awareness and acceptance is greater than ever. No place that the awareness and acceptance can be demonstrated as more as in the school environment.

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When schools select school wide summer reading books, each one has a tremendous qualification to become one because it shares a universal theme that the school community can relate to. By reading, taking notes and doing other assignments with the book, students and teachers can start to gain an appreciation for what autism and neurodiversity means before they come together for the new school year in a few months.

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By reading “This is Autism,” you can not only gain an appreciation for autism, but also other forms of neurological or physical conditions such as down syndrome.

Schools strive to create a Diverse, Equal and Inclusive environment for all and sometimes with the summer, students forget what it means to promote DEI in the classroom, in the cafeteria and on the sports field or in an extracurricular activity.

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So, if you want to make “This is Autism” a school wide summer reading book for your town or district, then why delay? Add it today and give your school an insight to the world of neurodiversity and disability as a whole!!

“This is Autism” by Jessica Leichtweisz and Aiden Allman Cooper

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Catch you all later!!

#Diversity #Disability #Neurodiversity #Equality #SpecialEducation #Autism #Education #Inclusion