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Grades 7-8

An animated image with three people sitting across from the main character. The image is drawn from their point of view - we see their hands and a coffee cup.

Strange (3 mins)

An animated glimpse into the life of an autistic author exploring friendship, trials, and the use of unique coping strategies.

Lesson: Students will gain a deeper understanding of what autism is and identify what “strange” habits they themselves have.
A boy dances in front of a mirror

JMaxx and the Universal Language (13 mins)

Jarell is an autistic teenager who has uses hip-hop dance as a means to communicate his true self to the world.

Lesson: Students will gain a deeper understanding of what autism is and learn the concept of neurodiversity – brain differences are normal, not deficits.
Unspoken film still of Emma running

Unspoken (26 mins)

Using her insightful writing as a catalyst and remedy to the fear surrounding autism, Emma Zurcher-Long presents UNSPOKEN as a collaborative self-portrait; a chronicle of a teenager who lives in the beauty beyond spoken language. Follow Emma’s journey as she enriches our understanding of what it means to be human.

Lesson: Students will explore the dangers of assumptions and stereotypes while also learning about Emma, an inspirational non-fluent speaking autistic teenager.
Spectrum: A Story of the Mind film still

Spectrum: A story of the Mind (24 mins)

An animated and live action documentary that explores the inner sensory experiences of autism.

Lesson: Students will investigate ASD and better understand sensory processing and how it can affect themselves and others.
A man in a football uniform carrying a football runs into other football players

Four Quarters of Silence (18 mins)

Located in Austin, the Texas School for the Deaf is the only school of out 1483 high school football teams that serves the Deaf.

Lesson: Students will discuss and reflect upon lessons that can be learned from this football team.
A boy stands with two women next to him. There is a torah in front of them.

Adam’s Bar Mitzvah (14 mins)

CANADA This short doc follows Adam as he prepares for his Bar Mitzvah, and illuminates Judaism, identity, disability and community.

Lesson: Students learn about assistive technologies.