Why should we talk about autism to our students?

Many parents don't want you to mention anything about autism to the classmates. When it is possible, a miracle occurs: the other children become the best advocate for the child on the spectrum.

I had a non-verbal child and the class he was in, was quite difficult. From day one he was very reactive to new surroundings and was crying a lot. Fortunately, the parents were open to the idea of explaining autism to the other children. The anxiety level decreased.

There areexcellent books about autism for the children. I first explained that the connections in the human brain (on the smartboard) is different in a child with autism. I then talked about what they had in common: to be loved and accepted. Although he could not speak, he understood everything that was said and needed  to be understood as well. They asked me if one day he would talk and I admitted that I did not know. 

One month after our little conversation, I had to miss one day and a sub unknown to my class replaced me. Well, it was the student that you always think that did not listemed, who explained to him everything, the brain, the needs, everything.

One year, during autism awareness day, parents read books to their kid's classmates explaining the day to day life for them. Ignorance create prejudice, knowledge create bondings. 

If the parents are open for discussion then educating  your class will create a network. Parents are afraid of stigma. We have to respect it, may be one day they will change their mind. I can understand but ASD is not like diabetes there is some signs that do stand out and cannot be ignored by others.