Around 10,000 schools across Australia will receive a DVD aimed at helping school children understand, accept and support children with an Autism Spectrum Disorder. 

 

What are you doing?, a short film presented by Autism Awareness Australia, written by Michael Whelan and narrated by comedian and television personality Tom Gleisner, features interviews with friends and young family members about what it is like to know someone with autism.

 

Parliamentary Secretary for Disabilities and Carers, Senator Jan McLucas and Parliamentary Secretary for School Education, Senator Jacinta Collins said the Australian Government is providing $80,000 to support the distribution of the DVD to schools across Australia.

 

Senator Collins said the DVD will raise awareness in schools and encourage acceptance and understanding of children with ASD.

 

“I encourage all schools to show this DVD to their students and get behind this important initiative,” Senator Collins said.

 

The DVD is accompanied by a Teacher Resource Kit with pre and post film classroom activities.

The Resource Kit has been developed by Autism Awareness Australia, which has been educating Australians about autism since 2007.