There are some upcoming workshops at the Nevins Library in Methuen. I posted the dates and times on my library’s ASD blog. For that information check out http://pmlautismguide.blogspot.com/
Nora Raleigh Baskin who wrote “Anything But Typical” is coming the Newburyport Literary Festival. I’m not sure what day she will be here but the festival is from April 23 – 24 (usually the children’s authors are on Saturday). The website is www.newburportliteraryfestival.org.
I just did a little training session for all our staff at our monthly staff meeting, which was really great. I wanted to share the powerpoint I used since I took the one on the Libraries and Autism website and shorten it as well as adding some information from other training sessions we have had. I did the presentation and then showed the video. It was a bit more that half an hour total so it was a good length.
Clare
Early Intervention and Autism: Real-life questions, real-life answers by James Ball
This book covers all the information a parent with a newly diagnosed child would want to have. Even though the title mentions Early Intervention, I think this book would be helpful for parents of children of all ages. The author explains what EI is, what various therapy approaches and therapists are, how to assemble the “dream team”, how to cope as a parent, and how to transition out of EI and into the public school system. It is written in a conversational manner, with the author, “Dr. Jim,” answering questions in his sessions with parents Maureen and Rob. Even though this is the book’s format, there are bold question and topic headings throughout, so the book is easily browsable, for people who are looking for specific answers.
The author has a very gentle but informative tone, and does a wonderful job of speaking to parents of a newly diagnosed child. I loved his section on 10 common autism myths, and his section on the different kind of autism parents (the goal is to be the “just-right parent!”). As someone going through this, I recognized all those myths and those parent types.
I would have loved this book a few years ago. It covers a lot of ground in a non-threatening way. Glossary, references, and appendices included. Highly recommended.
This is a wonderful resource to print out and have available for parents:
A Parent’s Guide to Special Education by the MA organization Federation for Children with Special Needs in collaboration with Mass DOE. It simply and clearly explains how Special Ed works in Massachusetts.
I had forgotten all about this, but found it to be so helpful when my son was entering the public schools on an IEP after turning 3 and being done with Early Intervention. It is available at the site in English, Spanish, and Portuguese
Kids on the spectrum (and all kids to a certain extent) like to know what’s coming next. So it can be good to use a picture schedule when you have a storytime or other program at the library. You can also use pictures to help with communication or labeling items around the room.
Here are a few picture card options. Each one is a bit different, so I recommend checking the sites, maybe doing a tutorial and seeing what will work best for your library.
It was not the intention of this grant to have you create a program just for children with autism. It is hoped instead you getting lots of strategies and ideas for including them into your regular program.
This article offers lots of tips but actually suggests at the end that you include both children with autism and neurotypicals in your group! The benefits are huge for doing this, the author suggests. The author also recommends talking with parents in advance. They know their children best and can be great partners in this.
The San Jose Public Library offers “inclusive story times”. They have made adjustments in their programming, including: “using pictorial schedules to help children with the many transitions involved in a story time; using books that help match words with pictures so children have a more active role in the reading; and using carpet squares to create a more defined space for children who find it difficult to establish boundaries.”
If you wanted to do a special program, here’s an idea from the Des Plaines Public Library:
A special program for children with autism
Family Times provide parents or caregivers the opportunity to leave their child with autism Friends Room C, where they will interact with specially trained dogs from Rainbow Animal Assisted Therapy. During that time, parents and caregivers may attend a variety of library programs or explore other library resources. The third Saturday of each month, October-May
The bottom line is this is new in public libraries. Your ideas which turn into programs will become resources for other libraries. Please feel free to share your program ideas on this blog!
Jean Stern of the AANE (Asperger’s Association of New England) described what it is like to have Asperger’s at a workshop in Tewksbury. Although she had a powerpoint she followed, it is the stories she related of people of all ages with Asperger’s that moved participants. As she described Asperger’s and what that looks like, participants were nodding their heads. Yes, they have encountered that strange individual and could not understand why he or she behaved that way. Now there is understanding that people with Asperger’s are literally wired differently. Their coping mechanisms are totally different from neurotypical folks.
Understanding this allows us to make some changes in how we provide services and programs. We don’t have to make huge accomodations and nothing to make that individual stand out. There are strategies we can use for both children with Asperger’s as well as their neurotypical counterparts! Everyone will benefit.
The AANE web site has a wealth of information: videos, literature, links.
Just saw Jean Stern do a brief presentation for the Reading staff yesterday (we’ll see her do a longer presentation for this grant group on Feb 11th). She works for the Aspergers Association of New England, which has a wonderful website, full of amazing resources. http://www.aane.org
I was so excited to hear about the wonderful things they offer for parents (online support groups, conferences, references for doctors, dentists, etc.) and asked her if there were any similar groups that help families with autism, not just Aspergers. She said that in MA the state is broken into Autism Resource Centers. Click here to see a list of them. These are good to know about for your patrons who may need support, information, etc. One of them is the Autism Alliance of Metrowest, which I’ve mentioned before. They have wonderful training videos available for purchase.
Anyone who has attended the workshops is welcome to comment!
I am interested in learning how the workshops thus far have inspired you to adapt or try or experiment with any changes or enhancements in your programming, your physical space, et.
Please use the comment box to respond! Thank you!