autism and the library

8/13/2019 Autism and the Library

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Serving the needs of the autismcommunity at school and public

libraries


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Autism Spectrum Disorder and autism are both generalterms for a group of complex disorders of braindevelopment. These disorders are characterized, invarying 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, andphysical health issues such as sleep and gastrointestinal

disturbances. Some persons with ASD excel in visualskills, music, math, and art.-Autism Speaks


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-Obsessions

-Preoccupations

-Rituals

-Resistance to change-self stimulation


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Autism statistics from the US Center for DiseaseControl & Prevention(CDC) identify 1 in 88 AmericanChildren as on the autism spectrum.

Autism is the fastest growing serious developmentaldisability in the United States

ASD affects over 2 million individuals in the U.S.


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All Information resources that are provideddirectly or indirectly by the library, regardless oftechnology, format, or methods of delivery, should bereadily, equally, and equitably accessible to all libraryusers. ALA Policy Manual 53.1.14(Free Access toInformation)


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As the population of students & patrons withautism grows it becomes increasingly importantfor libraries to support individuals with autism

and ASD.How then, can this be accomplished?


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This project will look at some ways the librarycommunity is working with the autismcommunity to best serve individuals on the

autism spectrum


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Soft natural lighting

Comfortable seating(soft cushions, bean bags,carpeting

Rocking chairs Baskets of fidget toys

Creation of quiet spaces that allow for limiteddistraction


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Sensory Storytime

-Social Stories

-picture schedules

-bean bag activities-follows the inclusion education model for Stamford

Public Schools


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children with autism encounter challenges in

educational systems due to their social andcommunication development impairments.(Farmer)


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Professional development in the form of conferences

and collaboration with special education teachers


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Assistive Technology is any device, auxiliary aid, orlow to high technology tool that allows a user with adisability(cognitive, physical, or neurological) toperform tasks that would be extremely difficult or

impossible without the apparatus.(Ennis-Cole, Smith)


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School Libraries should become anenvironment that helps students comprehend

21stCentury literacies: digital, textual, andtechnological.


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Make the library a welcoming place to anindividual with autism

Professional development in the form of

conferences and collaboration with specialeducation teachers

Incorporation of Assistive Technology intolibrary resources


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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 Associationof School Librarians(2012).

Jarombeck, K. and A. Leon (2010). Leadership at its Best: Library Managers Spearhead SuccessfulSpecial 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 LibraryService to Children.
http://www.ala.org/http://autismspeaks.org/http://news.cci.fsu.edu/http://news.cci.fsu.edu/http://www.librariesandautism.org/http://www.librariesandautism.org/http://news.cci.fsu.edu/http://autismspeaks.org/http://www.ala.org/

autism and the library

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