I tell my five year old that he has to help me teach her not to hit or wahtever the situation requires. He has finally got it I think, but when he was told that his cousin was the same age as his sister it did stop him in his track. I kind of have it easy with the kids around her because she is younger then all but one, but all of her cousins ranging from 15 - 1 know that she is autistic, and no she does not have an offical diagnosis.
Start with something simple appropriate to their developmental level, and then answer any questions they have. Even a small child will probably understand it if you say some people need glasses to see better, and some people need extra help to stay calm and know how to act in different situations.
If you go to the following topic, you will find lots of links with resources you can use to teach kids about autism (online stories, etc.)
http://www.autism-pdd.net/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=15359&am p;KW=teaching+kids
Good luck with everything.
i have yet not recieved a diagnosis for my son who i am pretty sure is autistic and it soon to be assesed by my local autistic assesment team but i was wondering how do i explain to my other three children and the other children who are closely involved in our lives that he is not just being naughty he actually has a problem and his behaviour is part of what is wrong with him as i feel punishing him for not understanding is wrong but if my other children were to act in the same way i would tell them off. i think what im trying to say is how do i tell them that what he is doing is wrong but thats is his way of venting his frutration as he cannot do it any other way without making them feel like he is getting away with doing things that they would not? thank you for taking the time to read this and would be very grateful for any advice........keri