Secondary Educator’s Toolkit

Autism Ontario has developed a series of classroom activities for school students as an introduction to autism and neurodiversity. The goal of the activities is to promote awareness, inclusion, and acceptance of autism and neurodiversity, as well as create awareness of each student’s unique strengths and needs. Autism Ontario is committed to raising awareness of autism so all Ontarians can make their communities a better and more inclusive place for people on the spectrum and their families.

Join us in making your school and community a more inclusive place for autistic students and download your toolkit today!

• Secondary Educator’s Toolkit – English
• Secondary Educator’s Toolkit – French

Videos

Engage your classroom in discussion after each video by downloading the Video Classroom Discussion Guides included in the above Toolkit PDF.*

What is Neurodiversity?

A simple explanation of what Neurodiversity is, for anyone of any age.

Human Neurodiversity Should be Celebrated

One in 59 children are identified with autism spectrum disorders and millions of children have been diagnosed with ADHD — yet psychologist Devon MacEachron, PhD believes that there is too little attention given to enabling people with neurologically different minds.

The Sensory Experience

Our environments are filled with sensory information.

Watch these videos to help further understand sensory differences, and how to make an environment more inclusive for individuals on the autism spectrum.

Click here to watch the videos

Plain Language: The Importance of Clear Communication

Many people with neurodiversities have trouble understanding verbal instructions. This activity shows what it might be like if you cannot speak or cannot understand what people are saying.

VLOCKNAR: The Importance of Clear Communication

Lots of people with neurodiversities have trouble understanding verbal instructions. Using a made up word, “VLOCKNAR”, this activity shows what it might be like if you cannot speak or cannot understand what people are saying using a made up word.

Understanding Meltdowns

Sometimes children and youth get so upset that they may have a “meltdown”. A meltdown, also known as a tantrum, can happen anywhere, at any time, and can seem to happen for “no reason at all”. We know that that isn’t the case. This video shows how seemingly “small” problems can add up over the day to create a lot of stress, and even a meltdown.