Autism Awareness Curriculum for K–12 and College
Ready-to-use autism awareness lessons for every grade band, from elementary school through college. Each resource includes a lesson plan, student worksheets, an assessment and a teacher guide, so you can bring the conversation into your classroom without starting from scratch.
GO AUTISM!
RIZZ'EM WITH THE 'TISM
AUTISM ISLIT
DIFFERENT, NOT LESS
GO AUTISM!
Grades K–5 · Elementary School
We’re All Unique — And That’s a Superpower!
This unit gives younger students a positive first introduction to autism and neurodiversity. Through conversation, drawing and classroom activities, kids learn that everyone has different strengths and ways of thinking, learning and communicating. In this lesson, a “superpower” means any strength a student has, so every child finds one. The message running through it all is simple: different, not less.
Who it’s for
Elementary teachers, school counselors and principals, for use with students in kindergarten through 5th grade.
What’s Included
Lesson plan: “Super Brains, Super People!” (45–60 minutes)
“Design Your Super Self!” student worksheet
Kindness scenarios and “Choose Kindness” activity
“Our Class Is Unique!” reflection poster and classroom display activity
“My Autism Awareness Hoodie” creative coloring activity
Quick check assessment and exit ticket, including a K–2 version
Teacher scoring guide and implementation guide
Grades K-5 student packet: “My Superpower Book” with a word search, kindness pledge and certificate
Adaptations for K–2 and grades 3–5, with multiple ways for students to respond (drawing, speaking, writing, AAC)
Grades 6–8 · Middle School
Autism Myth Busters!
By middle school, students have already picked up ideas about autism from social media, movies and each other. Autism Myth Busters! gives them the tools to question those ideas instead of repeating them. Through hands-on activities and group projects, they learn that autism looks different in every person and that one person’s experience doesn’t represent everyone. It’s critical thinking and inclusion, taught in a way middle schoolers actually enjoy.
Who it’s for
Middle school teachers, school counselors and principals, for use with students in grades 6–8.
What’s Included
Lesson plan: “Autism Myth Busters”
“Guess the Myth!” worksheet
Myths vs. Facts organizer
Myth-busting group project (skit or poster option) with planning sheet and rubric
Discussion guide with real-life classroom scenarios
“Autism Trading Card” character activity
Assessment, exit ticket and teacher rubric
Middle school teacher implementation guide with a suggested 5-session schedule
Student activity packet with a “Certified Myth Buster” certificate
Multiple ways for students to participate (writing, speaking, drawing, partner work, AAC)
Grades 9–12 · High School
Neurodiversity in Real Life!
High school students get most of their information about autism from their phones. This unit teaches them to think critically about it. Students analyze how autism and neurodiversity show up on social media, write an essay on representation, and take part in a structured debate on whether social media helps or hurts public understanding. The goal is to move them beyond basic awareness toward respectful, informed opinions they can defend.
Who it’s for
High school teachers, school counselors and principals, for use with students in grades 9–12.
What’s Included
Lesson plan: “Neurodiversity in Real Life”
Social media reflection assignment, including a reflection on two @AutismChoseMe videos
Essay assignment on neurodiversity and representation (750–1,000 words)
Structured debate: “Does social media improve public understanding of autism and neurodiversity?” with prep sheet and rubric
Small-group neurodiversity workshop
Assessment, exit ticket and teacher rubric
High school teacher implementation guide with a suggested 5-session schedule
Student activity packet with a creative advocacy option and a “Neurodiversity Advocate” certificate
Multiple ways for students to participate (writing, discussion, presentation, visual projects, AAC)
College & Beyond
Lead with Neurodiversity!
This college bundle pairs a student workbook with a full instructor curriculum, so you have everything you need to teach the unit. Students move from understanding neurodiversity to acting on it, on campus and in their future careers. Through a case study of my journey, a campus inclusion audit, a group project, an essay and an optional panel with autistic speakers, they build a plan they can put into practice. It finishes with a personal leadership commitment and a certificate of completion.
Who it’s for
College students, professors and instructors, disability service providers and disability educators.
What’s Included
Case study: “Analyzing Gillis’s Story,” tracing self-advocacy → entrepreneurship → education
“Inclusion On Your Campus” discussion and rating activity
Group project: 10-Step Inclusion Plan for a future career field
Essay prompt: “The Neurodiverse-Friendly Workplace”
Optional guest panel notes page for a panel with autistic speakers or students
Instructor lesson plan with opening reflection and case study discussion
Campus Inclusion Audit (academic, social, sensory and communication)
College Career Inclusion Project guide with a 5–10 minute group presentation
Essay assignment: Neurodiverse-Friendly Workplaces (1,000–1,500 words)
College Neurodiversity Panel guide (45–60 minutes) with facilitator checklist
Certificate of completion in Neurodiversity Leadership
Assessment, exit ticket and facilitator rubric
Why I Made These
I was diagnosed autistic at five, and I’ve lived every stage these resources cover: elementary school, middle school, high school and college. When students learn about autism from these lessons, they’re learning from a primary source, someone who has actually been through it, not just studied it.
In my talks, I push for acceptance that goes beyond awareness. Awareness means knowing autism exists. Acceptance means changing how we treat each other in the classroom, the cafeteria and everywhere else. These resources are how I bring that message into classrooms between visits and long after I’ve left.
Every lesson is built with care. No student is ever asked to share a diagnosis or speak for every autistic person. Students are never asked to imitate autism. Kids can participate by writing, drawing, speaking or using AAC. It’s the kind of classroom I would have wanted growing up.
Questions About the Curriculums
What happens after I buy?
Each resource is a downloadable PDF. Once you’ve entered your details and paid, you’ll receive your download so you can print or share the materials with your students.
Which resource should I choose?
Pick the one that matches your students’ grade level: We’re All Unique — And That’s a Superpower! for K–5, Autism Myth Busters! for grades 6–8, Neurodiversity in Real Life! for grades 9–12, and Lead with Neurodiversity! for college students and young adults. Each one is written for that age group, so the activities and discussions fit where your students are.
Are these meant for autistic students specifically?
No. These resources are about autism understanding and acceptance, and they’re meant for whole classes. They aren’t therapy, a special education program, or individualized instruction for autistic learners. They’re a way to help every student understand autism and treat each other with respect.
How much class time does each resource take?
It depends on the grade level. The K–5 main lesson runs 45–60 minutes, with extra activities of about 20–30 minutes each. The middle school and high school units include a suggested five-session schedule. The college curriculum includes a group presentation and an optional 45–60 minute panel. You can shorten or extend any of them to fit your schedule.
Do I need to know a lot about autism to teach these?
No. Each resource includes a teacher guide with language tips, discussion prompts and suggestions for handling student questions. If a student asks something you’re not sure about, the guide even suggests how to respond honestly and look for a reliable answer together.
Does the college option include both the workbook and the instructor curriculum?
Yes. Lead with Neurodiversity! comes with the student workbook and the instructor curriculum together. The workbook gives students their own pages to complete, and the curriculum gives you the lesson plan, assignments, rubrics and panel guide to teach it.
Can Gillis speak at our school or join our panel?
Yes. Along with these resources, I speak at schools, colleges, conferences and organizations about growing up autistic and advocating for myself. A talk can be a great way to start a unit, or to wrap one up. Request a speaking engagement and tell me about your audience.
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Autism!