>> Rachel: Good morning, it’s time for Chompers, your morning and night toothbrushing show. Start brushing on the top of your mouth on one side, and brush all the way to the molars in the back.

>> KIDS: 3, 2, 1 brush

>> Rachel: It’s Inventors Week, and today we’ve got some true or false for you. I’ll say something, and if you think its true, give a thumbs up (SFX TRUE) for false, thumbs down (SFX FALSE). 

And our first true or false is about autism. 

But if you have autism, You can’t be an inventor. 

So is that true or false?

Can people with autism be inventors? 

Find out after you switch to the other side of the top of your mouth, and brush the inside, outside and chewing side of each tooth

The answer is… FALSE (SFX FALSE) Lots of people with autism are inventors! 

Here’s an example -- a woman with autism completely changed how we treat animals on farms. (SFX NEIGH) Temple Grandin has autism -- and she works as a professor of animal science,. That means she learns about how animals think -- and what makes them feel safe and happy. 

Switch to the bottom of your mouth, and keep brushing 

Temple says her autism helps her see things the way animals do, and has helped her invent systems to make animals more comfortable on farms. Today her designs and inventions are used on farms around the world. 

Here’s your next true or false: 

Once something is invented, anyone can copy it.

So is that true or false? Can anyone copy something once it’s been invented?

Find out after you switch to the other side of the bottom of your mouth, and give your tongue a brush too 

The answer is… FALSE! There are protections for inventors, to make sure people don’t steal their ideas -- called PATENTS.

When an inventor comes up with a new idea or invention, a PATENT is the way they make sure no one steals the idea. Patents are given out by the government, kind of like a license. A patent says that your idea belongs to you, and no one else can make it or use it without your permission. So if you have an idea for the next great invention, fill out the paperwork for a patent!

That's it for Chompers today, but come back tonight for more true or false. 

Until then, 

>> KIDS: 3, 2, 1 spit