News and Knowledge

When a child meets a classmate with autism, they may notice something different about them that they can’t quite understand or explain. Their classmate, for example, may be allowed to work one-on-one with a classroom aide when no one else can. If they are unfamiliar with autism, they may think their classmate has special privileges.

OAR’s What’s Up with Nick? story clears up misunderstandings like that and gives children a space to ask questions about autism and better understand what it is and the behaviors and characteristics that are part of autism.

What’s Up with Nick? is a story that has been told more than 135,000 times since it was first introduced back in 2012 through the Kit for Kids peer education program. Nick’s story can be shared during reading time or as a special presentation to celebrate April’s National Autism Awareness Month. After reading the story aloud, students can answer reading questions and reinforce their learning by filling out fun activity workbooks.

Since 2017, Nick’s story has also been told in colorful animation and sound through the interactive Autism Tuned In website that features videos and fun computer games. Teachers can create their own free accounts and track student progress. To preview the website, go to www.autismtunedin.org and enter johndoe/ TestAccount1 for student access and Test@autismtunedin.org /TestAccount1 for teacher access.

For more information, bulk order resources, or help to launch a peer education initiative at your school, please contact us at programs@researchautism.org.