Geek Club Books, Inc., an autism nonprofit, today announced Autism EDU, a collection of free educational tools for educators and parents to teach autism topics in inclusive classrooms. Video files, e-books, apps, student handouts and curriculum guides are downloadable via Geek Club Books website.
Autism EDU consists of three modules: 1) "Mighty League: The Terrible Taunting" has themes about bullying, friendship and understanding autism and Asperger's Syndrome, 2) "Mighty League: The Horrible Hug" has themes regarding social and emotional learning (SEL), and self- and peer acceptance, and 3) "Bluebee TeeVee Autism Information Station" dispels the myths surrounding autism through entertaining, educational pop-culture webisodes.
Each module includes curriculum guides developed in collaboration with clinical partners and educational specialists.
"The tools were developed to capture and engage students' attention, ignite their curiosities and inspire discussions," said the organization's spokesperson and President, Jodi Murphy. "We want to make the topics of autism approachable through children's stories and pop culture-style webisodes. The companion curriculum and activity guides make it easy for educators to integrate into their lesson plans."
"When I was growing up, I knew very little about my autism," said Autism EDU contributor, James Sullivan. "Neither did my teachers and especially not the other children my age. Autism EDU videos and stories will help them understand some of their peers who are different."
Access to Geek Club Books' Autism EDU tools at geekclubbooks.com/autism-edu.
Watch an Autism EDU video - Horrible Hug - below!
Congress adopted April as the national awareness month for autism in 1984, which originally began as an awareness campaign by The Autism Society of America in the early 1970s. Today the month is an opportunity for autism organizations to draw the public's attention to the diagnosis and separate fact from myths and misperceptions.
Geek Club Books, is 501c3 autism charity with an autism education and empowerment mission. They produce interactive children's story apps, enhanced e-books, curriculum, digital media and webisodes to change perceptions and end stigmas surrounding autism. The nonprofit partners with clinical advisors and educational specialists. A team of autistic adults collaborate and contribute their talents to everything the organization produces. For more, visit geekclubbooks.com.
Pictured: James Sullivan, host of Bluebee TeeVee Autism EDU educational webisodes.