Essay Contest

Everyone Belongs:
Celebrating Differences

The Autism Society Affiliates in Wisconsin are proud to jointly host this Annual Statewide Autism Essay Contest. The Annual Autism Essay Contest is a great way to facilitate a meaningful dialogue about how schools, teachers, and students can support those with autism in the classroom. The contest is designed to assist students in gaining a deeper understanding of autism and how their peers with autism experience the world.

Download the Entry Form

Grades K-5

Students and/or classrooms K-5:

 

We highly encourage teachers to go to http://researchautism.org/education/students-corner/kit-for-kids/ and watch the Kits for Kids Program video from the Organization for Autism Research as a class and consider doing all or parts of the Kit for Kids Activity sheets as part of a lesson.

Essay Entries should include:

  • 1 – 2 things you learned about autism and how autism might affect you or your classmate(s)
  • To be successful, students need different support at different times. Think about a time you needed extra help in an assignment or activity to be successful. Who helped you and how did it make you feel? How can you help your peers with autism be successful when they need help?
  • Written or illustrated examples, using captions for all illustrations
OR
  • As a student with autism, what do you wish other students knew about you? What makes you unique?

 

Deadline to Submit an Essay: March 30, 2020

Grades 6-12

Students Grades 6 – 12

 

Read more about autism here: http://researchautism.org/education/students-corner/hs-get-informed/

Essay Entries should include:

  • Write about 3 things you learned about autism and describe how autism might affect your classmate(s), using examples
  • To be successful, students need different support at different times. Write an essay about what steps you could take to make your classroom or school a more supportive environment for students with autism. Use examples. Consider how you can extend support to community settings.
OR
  • Interview a person with autism and find out what makes them unique. What are their strengths and what do they need extra help with? How could others best support them to be successful? What do they wish others knew about them? Write a summary of what you learned.
  • Include your own reflections about the interview and how you can take steps to make sure your school is a supportive environment for students with autism.
OR
  • As a student with autism, how does autism affect you and what do you wish other students knew about you?
  • What makes you unique? What are your strengths and what do you need extra help with? How could others provide better support for you?

 

Deadline to Submit an Essay: March 30, 2020

How to Submit

Essay Submission

 

Complete the entry form and staple to your essay.   All essays should be mailed, and postmarked by March 30, 2020, to:

Autism Society of Greater Wisconsin

RE: Annual Essay Contest
1477 Kenwood Dr.
Menasha, WI 54952

 
Divisions:

Essays will be divided into 4 groups, based on grade level.  The contest reviewing committee will choose 1st, 2nd and 3rd place winners in each division.

  • Division 1: K-2nd grade
  • Division 2: 3rd-5th grade
  • Division 3: 6th-8th grade
  • Division 4: 9th-12th grade

 

Winning Essays:

Teachers will be contacted by email by early-April if their student has placed.  All 1st place winners will be honored at & invited to the Family Reception at the Autism Society of Greater Wisconsin’s 31st Annual Conference in Wisconsin Dells on Friday, May 1, 2020.

 

Prizes:
  • 1st Place Winners in each category will receive a $100 Amazon gift card
  • 2nd Place Winners in each category will receive a $75 Amazon gift card
  • 3rd Place Winners in each category will receive a $50 Amazon gift card