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The JP Media Group Blog
Thoughts on autism, inclusion, storytelling, and raising readers who see themselves in the pages.
Building an Autism Awareness Month Reading List (April Ideas for Schools)
A week-by-week April reading list for Autism Awareness Month. Themes, books, discussion questions, and event ideas for K–5 classrooms and school libraries.
April is Autism Awareness Month — and for schools, it's both an opportunity and a bit of a trap. Here's how to build a classroom or school-wide reading list that goes deeper than a bulletin board, with four weekly themes and concrete activities teachers can actually use.
Autism-Friendly Books for Classrooms: A Complete K-2 Teacher's Guide
A practical guide for K–2 teachers on selecting and using autism-friendly picture books — including what to look for, how to lead discussions, and our top classroom-ready recommendations.
Roughly 1 in 36 children is identified with autism. Learn what makes a book truly classroom-ready, how to use it across SEL, morning meeting, and sensory awareness lessons, and how to get bulk sets into every grade level on a realistic budget.
How to Explain Autism to Young Children (With Books That Actually Help)
A simple guide for parents and teachers on explaining autism to kids ages 5–9. What to say, what to avoid, and the picture books that make the conversation natural instead of awkward.
Sooner or later a child is going to ask: "Why does my friend flap her hands?" Here's a one-sentence explanation that actually works, plus common follow-up questions and the best books to use as conversation starters.
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