Serving the needs of the autism community at school and public libraries

Autism

Spectrum Disorder and autism are both general terms for a group of complex disorders of brain development. These disorders are characterized, in varying degrees, by difficulty in social interaction, verbal and non-verbal communication, and repetitive behavior. ASD can be associated with intellectual disability, difficulties in motor coordination and attention, and physical health issues such as sleep and gastrointestinal disturbances. Some persons with ASD excel in visual skills, music, math, and art.-Autism Speaks

-Obsessions -Preoccupations -Rituals -Resistance to change -self stimulation

Autism statistics from the US Center for Disease Control & Prevention(CDC) identify 1 in 88 American Children as on the autism spectrum. Autism is the fastest growing serious developmental disability in the United States ASD affects over 2 million individuals in the U.S.

All Information resources that are provided directly or indirectly by the library, regardless of technology, format, or methods of delivery, should be readily, equally, and equitably accessible to all library users. ALA Policy Manual 53.1.14(Free Access to Information)

As the population of students & patrons with autism grows it becomes increasingly important for libraries to support individuals with autism and ASD. How then, can this be accomplished?

This project will look at some ways the library community is working with the autism community to best serve individuals on the autism spectrum

Soft natural lighting Comfortable seating(soft cushions, bean bags, carpeting Rocking chairs Baskets of fidget toys Creation of quiet spaces that allow for limited distraction

Sensory Storytime -Social Stories -picture schedules -bean bag activities -follows the inclusion education model for Stamford Public Schools

children with autism encounter challenges in educational systems due to their social and communication development impairments.(Farmer)

Professional development in the form of conferences and collaboration with special education teachers

Assistive Technology is any device, auxiliary aid, or low to high technology tool that allows a user with a disability(cognitive, physical, or neurological) to perform tasks that would be extremely difficult or impossible without the apparatus.(Ennis-Cole, Smith)

School Libraries should become an environment that helps students comprehend 21st Century literacies: digital, textual, and technological.

Make the library a welcoming place to an individual with autism Professional development in the form of conferences and collaboration with special education teachers Incorporation of Assistive Technology into library resources

American Library Association. www.ala.org Autism Speaks. http://autismspeaks.org Branciforte, B. FSU collaboration to help librarians serve those with autism spectrum disorder. Retrieved from http://news.cci.fsu.edu/ Bress, A. Making Your School Library More Functional to Individuals with Autism. Library Media Connection (2013). Ennis-Cole, D. and D. Smith (2011). Assistive technology and autism: Expanding the technology leadership role of the school librarian. School Libraries Worldwide (2011). Farmer, S.J. and M. Sykes (2008). Library Services for Students with Autism. California School Library Association Journal (2008). Hill, Renee F. (2012). Strength and Opportunities: School Librarians Serving Students with Special Needs in Central New York State. Research Journal of the American Association of School Librarians (2012). Jarombeck, K. and A. Leon (2010). Leadership at its Best: Library Managers Spearhead Successful Special Needs Programming. Children and Libraries: The Journal for Library Services for Children. Libraries and Autism: Were Connected. www.librariesandautism.org Picard, A. (1996). La Bibliotheque de quartier: un lieu de recontre pour la communaute. Argus (Montreal/Quebec 1996). Read, K. (2009). Reflections on The World of Autism in the World of Libraries. Oregon Library Association Quarterly (2009). Szatmari, P. (2004). a mind apart. New York: Guilford Books. Winson, G. and C. Adams (2010). Collaboration at Its Best: Library and Autism Programs Combine to Serve Special Audience. Children and Libraries: The Journal of the Association for Library Service to Children.