OBJECTIVE To increase awareness about autism, Autism Speaks has created “Kids and Coins for Autism,” an initiative where students help those affected by autism spectrum disorder (ASD). This support raises funds toward public awareness, safety from wandering, bully awareness, family crisis assistance, job training, housing and research. By participating in Kids and Coins for Autism, students learn that they can make a difference in the lives of others. As an educator, we want to help you inspire your classroom or school to collect as many coins as possible and donate them to Autism Speaks. Our partnership with Coinstar makes it simple to donate your coins directly to Autism Speaks at over 11,000 kiosks in the United States!

OUR MISSION Our mission is to change the future for all who struggle with autism spectrum disorders.   We are dedicated to funding global biomedical research into the causes, prevention, treatments, and cure for autism; to raising public awareness about autism and its effects on individuals, families, and society; and to bringing hope to all who deal with the hardships of this disorder. We are committed to raising the funds necessary to support these goals. Autism Speaks aims to bring the autism community together as one strong voice to urge the government and private sector to listen to our concerns and take action to address this urgent global health crisis. It is our firm belief that, working together, we will find the missing pieces of the puzzle.

WHY NOW? Autism is the fastest growing developmental disorder, affecting 1 in 68 children born today. National Institutes of Health Funds Allocation Total 2012 NIH budget: $30.86 billion Of this, only $169 million goes directly to autism research. This represents 0.55% of total NIH funding.

HOW YOUR DONATIONS HELP

5 EASY STEPS You can make a difference in 5 easy steps: 1. Set a date for your campaign 2. Choose the best method to collect coins for your classroom or school 3. Collect coins! Get teachers, staff and parents involved too! 4. Donate your coins at a local Coinstar location 5. Share your results with Autism Speaks!

THE GUIDE Resources to help you host a successful Kids and Coins for Autism campaign Fun ways to collect coins in your school Educational materials for teachers Ideas to get parents involved Schools that raises $1,000 will be listed on the Autism Speaks Kids and Coins for Autism website. Autism Speaks will send a thank you letter to your principal and a certificate to proudly display in your school. Schools that raises $1,000 or more will be recognized in a national Autism Speaks press release. Inside the guide, you will find resources to help you host a successful Kids and Coins for Autism campaign including fun ways to collect coins in your school, educational materials for teachers and even ideas to get parents involved in your project. Consider setting a goal of $1,000 for your school’s campaign. Any school that raises $1,000 will be listed on the Autism Speaks Kids and Coins for Autism website. Autism Speaks will also send a thank you letter to your principal and a certificate to proudly display in your school. At the end of the school year, any school that raises $1,000 or more will be recognized in a national Autism Speaks press release.

MORE TOOLS We also provide: Posters to promote your event Tracking poster to show progress Labels for students to use on coin containers Template letter to send home to parents Script for school announcements Puzzle Piece toolkit with educational resources for teacher Find detailed descriptions in your Guide or on the Kids and Coins website!

COLLECTING COINS FUN CAMPAIGN IDEAS: Fill the Box Penny Wars Trace the Track Coin Days 68 Pounds of Change Estimation Competition Light It Up Blue Classroom Competition Find detailed descriptions in your Guide or on the Kids and Coins website!

DONATE YOUR COINS Autism Speaks has partnered with Coinstar to be the featured charity during the month of April, but coins can be donated to Autism Speaks through Coinstar year round! Coinstar is an automatic self-service counting machine located at supermarkets nationwide. Note: Wal-Mart has machines BUT they should not be used as they do not include a ‘Donation’ mechanism. For the nearest location, go to coinstar.com/kioskfinder or call 800-928-CASH How to use Coinstar: - Press Green button to start - Press blue button to ‘Donate’ Coins (DO NOT select ‘Cash Value’) - Press the ‘Donate’ Button again - Find the Autism Speaks name - Enter YES to confirm - Place coins in machine - Press DONE to complete - SAVE your receipts To count funds easily, Autism Speaks has partnered with Coinstar to bethe featured charity during the month of April. Coinstar is an automatic self-service counting machine located at supermarkets nationwide. Note: Wal-Mart has machines BUT they should not be used as they donot include a ‘Donation’ mechanism. For the nearest location, go to coinstar.com/kioskfinder or call 800-928-CASH How to use Coinstar: - Press Green button to start - Press blue button to ‘Donate’ Coins (DO NOT select ‘Cash Value’) - Press the ‘Donate’ Button again - Find the Autism Speaks name - Enter YES to confirm - Place coins in machine - Press DONE to complete - SAVE your receipts

SHARE RESULTS AFTER VISITING COINSTAR: Complete the Autism Speaks “Kids and Coins for Autism” Summary Report on the Kids and Coins website here. OR mail completed Summary Report found in your Guide book to Autism Speaks with Coinstar Receipt (ensures proper credit for your school) How to donate if you don’t have Coinstar in your area: Deposit your coins at a bank and have a check or money order made payable to Autism Speaks Complete the Summary Report and mail to Autism Speaks with your check or money order Remember to fill out the Autism Speaks “Kids and Coins for Autism” Summary Report included in the kit and send to Autism Speaks with your Coinstar receipt in order that we can credit your school for your donation. You can also submit online at <insert web link > How to donate if you don’t have Coinstar in your area: Deposit your coins at a bank and have a check or money order made out to Autism Speaks. Then fill out the Summary Report and send to Autism Speaks with your check or money order. Staff note: In order for a walk team to be credited, participants must complete this step so that we can track their donation!

www.autismspeaks.org/kidsandcoins Give website tour of each section. Show how to register for the materials.