Science Ambassador Lesson Plans
Middle School Lesson Plans - Autism
Autism and the Brain (PDF)
This lesson may be used to introduce the concept of autism spectrum disorders in middle school and introductory high school biology or life science classes. It will allow students to explore brain structure and function, investigate emerging research, and write a letter to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) identifying new research they think is needed in the area of autism. To complete these activities, the students should be familiar with basic biology and the scientific method.
Autism - What Is It? (PDF)
Students will use resources from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) to investigate the symptoms of Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASDs) and compare expected child development to development that might indicate a diagnosis of ASDs. A final project will be the preparation of posters showing the signs of ASDs. These posters will be displayed in a community library, clinic or other public building.
What's Really True? Discovering the Fact and Fiction of Autism (PDF and PPT - WinZip)
In this lesson, students will learn about a topic that has been in the news a lot recently—autism and autism spectrum disorders (ASDs). During the course of this lesson, they will evaluate information on several websites about ASDs and then make an informed decision about the truth of what they have read.
High school lesson plan topics - Autism
Autism Spectrum Disorders: The New Rainbow (PDF)
This lesson is designed for use in a 9th- or 10th-grade biology class to introduce students to autism spectrum disorders (ASDs). The lesson gives a basic overview of ASDs through literature, lecture, and group discussion. It concludes with a creative-writing activity where students demonstrate what they have learned about ASDs.
Autism and Autism Spectrum Disorders: Disorders Extending Beyond the "Norm" (PDF)
Students develop an understanding of autism and autism spectrum disorders (ASDs) by being exposed to and making observations about items that create sensory extremes. Using an inquiry-based discussion, students discover the wide range of defining characteristics of ASDs. Then, students create posters about developmental characteristics that might occur in children with developmental disorders.
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Page Last Modified: January 25, 2006
