Serving Persons with Autism in the Library Introduction

According to the Center for Disease Control, one in 110 children are diagnosed with autism. Autism is a spectrum disorder that affects the communication, social skills and behaviors of children and adults. There currently is no cure for autism but a variety of treatment options. Since autism is so prevalent, chances are if you are in a public or school library setting, you will come into contact with someone with autism on a daily basis. It is important for library personnel to know about autism and how autism affects a person's ability to communicate and learn. Autism is a developmental disorder but this disorder does not preclude this population from utilizing library services.

Books
Feinberg, Sandra, Jordan, Barbara, Deerr, Kathleen, Langa, Michelle. (1999). Including Families of Children with special needs. How to do it manuals for librarians. New York: Neal-Schman Publishers, Inc. Geared for the librarian serving children under age 5 with disabilities, this book again provides a multitude of resources for the librarian. The book provides chapters on the importance of play, how to choose appropriate toys for the library and resources for parents and professionals. Sally Estes writes 'The authors stress the need not only to include but also seek out opportunities to reach families with special needs children' and 'gives advice on readying a library, particulary the children's services department, by training staff and communicating with parents' (Estes, 1999). Rubin, Rhea Joyce. (2001). Planning for Library Services to people with disabilities. ASCLA Changing Horizons Series. Chicago: Association of Specialized and Cooperative Library Agencies. Williams writes a brief review of Planning for Library Services to people with disabilities in the Library Journal . The article describes the book and how the book addresses issues libraries face when complying with ADA. The book includes a list of internet references, federal resources and state offices on disabilites (Williams, 2002).. Although not a book specifically for persons with autism, this book is quite helpful. Velleman, Ruth A.. (1990). Meeting the Needs of People with Disabilities: a Guide for Librarians, Educators and other service professionals. Phoenix: Oryx Press. Again, this book is not specifically on meeting the needs of persons with autism, it is still a valuable resource for those serving the population. According to Linda Lucas, 'The book's strength is taht it identifies and evaluates a vast arrage or resources...' (Lucas, 1991). This is a

follow-up book to Velleman's first edition of the book entitled Serving physicaly disabled people. The scope of the new book includes not only librarians but other service professionals such as academic libraries and professors.

Journal Articles
Akin, Lynn and MacKinney, Donna. (2004). Autism, Literacy and Libraries: The Three Rs=Routine, repetition, and redundancy. Children and Libraries, (Summer/Fall 2004), 3543. This article described in detail symptoms that the librarian needs to be aware of when working with people with autism, including the variety of symptoms presented by persons with autism and social and behavioral issues a librarian may face. This article also provides a number of strategies that are currently being used at home and at school to increase social skills, behavior and reading skills in persons with autism. These strategies include social stories, picture schedules, routines, repetition and a myriad of techniques to engage a person with autism in the program and the library. A well written and well referenced work for anyone working with the autistic population in the public or school library.. The journal Children and Libraries is published by the American Library Association. According to Amy Jackson, Children and Libraries is ' An essential title for libraries that provide services to children' (Jackson, 2010) Bloomquist, Shannon. (2004). Autism Resources for Public Libraries: Issues, Challenges and Recommended Resources. Indiana Libraries. (Vol 24, Number 3). 23-31. A thoroughly written bibliography on resources and trends in working with the person with autism in the library. This article includes a set of criteria for assessing the foundamental efficacy of the source as well as what can be seen as collection challenges. This article offers a good source of information on books appropriate for any public library serving persons with autism. Although there is no review in Ulrich's, the Indiana Libraries journal can be found there.

Farmer, Lesley S.J. and Sykes, Maureen. (2008). Library Services for Students with Autism. California School Library Journal. (Volume 31, number 22 Spring 2009). 25-27. This article, again, addresses serving the child with autism in the library setting. What sets it apart from other articles is that it clearly states that using the library should be on the child with autism's Individual Education Program. This would increase the accessibity of the library and ensure that the librarian has the skills needed to serve this population. The article also includes strategies the librarian can use when working with children with autism such as technology, audio books, picture dictionaries and some computer software programs. Although the journal is found in Ulrich's there is no review for said journal. However, UNCG does subscribe to the database LISTA, which is where the journal articles can be found.

Henry, Spring Lea. (2010). Hidden Gems: Teens with autism in the library. Voice of Youth Advocates, 33(3), 208-11. Miss Henry is a young woman with high functioning autism. In this article, she describes what it is like to be a person with autism in a world full of the bombardment of sights and sounds that are distracting for a person with autism. She provides insight into inner world of the person with autism and provides strategies to help the librarian address issues faced by persons with autism such as sensory issues, communication issues and problems with sound. The journal VOYA can be found on Ulrich's and has a review by Amy Jackson, in which she states that VOYA is 'strongly recommended for librarians serving teens (Jackson, 2010).. Read, Kim Marsh. (2009). Relections on 'The World of Autism" in the World of Libraries. OLA Q, (15 no.2 Summer 2009), 12-15. This article is a review of the Oregon Library Association Annual Conference's 'The World of Autism' session.This paper serves as an overview of what is autism, the problems inherent in working with children with autism and how the librarian can better serve the population. Provides librarians with practical approaches to be used when working with persons with autism. Although the journal is found in Ulrich's there is no review for said journal. However, UNCG does subscribe to the database LISTA, which is where the journal articles can be found.

Miscellaneous
Kit called the 100 Day Kit: 100_day_kit.pdf. (n.d.). . Retrieved from http://www.autismspeaks.org/docs/family_services_docs/100_day_kit.pdf This website was cited on Librarians and Autism: Were connected as being one of the two tools necessary for librarians who will be asked to provide information to families on the diagnosis of autism. This kit has an abundance of information geared towards helping the parent address issues, resources and treatment options for their child with autism. This kit was developed by Autism Speaks, a leading source of information, research and development in treatment. This website can be found on www.ipl2.org as being a reliable website. Blog post of Trician Bonhanon Twarogowski: Twarogowski, T. B. (2009, June 23). Programming for Children with Special Needs. Retrieved from
http://www.alsc.ala.org/blog/?p=800

This is a five part blog posting on American Library Association's ACRL (Association of Libraries Serving Children) website. The link above is to part one, however you will be able to access parts 2-5 from the above link. This is one's person's travels through

designing a storytime for children with special needs.

Organizations
Association for Specialized and Cooperative Library Agencies: ALA | Assn. of Specialized & Cooperative Library Agencies (ASCLA). (n.d.). . Retrieved October 16, 2010, from http://www.ala.org/ala/mgrps/divs/ascla/ascla.cfm The ASCLA is a subsection of ALA specializing in librarians working with diverse populations including deaf/hard of hearing, prison population, developmentally disabled population and the aging (ALA | Assn. of Specialized & Cooperative Library Agencies (ASCLA), n.d.). The ASCLA is further broken down into particular subsections that deal with different subsets of the popuation such as prison population, hard of hearing/deaf and the PluSCH, which stands for libraries serving persons with physical, learning, social, cognitive and health disabilities. This includes persons with developmental disabilites and in particular those with autism. This website provides support for those serving persons with disabilities or other diverse populations. This subsection of ALA also has a community forum that is updated weekly. The Autistic Self Advocacy Network (ASAN) - Dedicated to advancing understanding, acceptance, & support for the autistic community. (n.d.). . Retrieved October 17, 2010, from http://www.autisticadvocacy.org/ Although this website does not deal specifically with libraries, this is a great advocacy website for persons with autism. The mission is to advocate for those with autism. The website states it best with this part of its mission statement: Working in fields such as public policy, media representation, research and systems change, ASAN hopes to empower Autistic people across the world to take control of their own lives and the future of our common community. Nothing About Us, Without Us! (The Autistic Self Advocacy Network (ASAN) - Dedicated to advancing understanding, acceptance, & support for the autistic community, n.d.). Although the website has some great information, the format of the website is difficult to read with its small fonts and long lines of writing.

PamphletsBooklet/Conference Proceedings
Standards Committee Subcommittee to Develop Guidelines for Library Services for People with Mental Retardation. Association of Specialized and Cooperative Library Agencies. (1999). Guidelines for library services for people with mental retardation.Chicago:Standards Committee Subcommittee.

This pamphlet developed by ASCLA in 1999, supports the need for library services for those individuals with mental retardation. This booklet supports the idea that persons with mental retardation do indeed use the library and are important, significant persons in the community. Williams states 'this booklet aims to help school, public, academic and special libraries such as prisons and institutional libraries develop the appropriate services for this special population (Williams, 1999).

Websites
ADA Home Page - ada.gov - Information and Technical Assistance on the Americans with Disabilities Act. (n.d.). . Retrieved October 16, 2010, from http://www.ada.gov/ This website outlines the Americans with Disabilities Act developed in 1990. This is an important website as the ADA states that 'No person in the United States shall, on the grounds of race, color, national origin, age or disability be subjected to unlawful discrimination under any program or activity conducted by or which receives Federal financial assistance from the Department of the Interior. Discrimination includes: denial of services, aids, or benefits; provision of different service or in a different manner; and segregation or separate treatment' (ADA Home Page - ada.gov - Information and Technical Assistance on the Americans with Disabilities Act, n.d.). The ADA is the ground work for which persons with developmental disabilites including those persons with autism have the right to services in their community. This website provides information on a variety of items such as what is a disability, how to follow ADA guidelines in serving persons with disabilities and also provides information on how a person with a disability may receive help when they are being discriminated against. Association of College and Research Libraries: ACRL | Autism spectrum disorders. (n.d.). . Retrieved October 17, 2010, from http://www.ala.org/ala/mgrps/divs/acrl/publications/crlnews/2005/oct/autism.cfm Developed by the Association of College and Research Libraries, which is a sub-section of American Library Association, this is a great resource for providing parents and professionals with correct information regarding autism. This list of resources was carefully selected to only include reliable, dependable and trustworthy sources including the CDC and the Autism Society of America. CDC - Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASDs) - NCBDDD. (n.d.). . Retrieved October 16, 2010, from http://www.cdc.gov/ncbddd/autism/index.html The CDC website on Autism Spectrum Disorder is a wonderful resource for library staff and others working with persons with autism. The website is easy to understand, informative and updated regularly. The Center for Disease Control is located in Georgia and it's mission is 'CDC has been dedicated to protecting health and promoting quality of life through the prevention and control of disease, injury, and disability'(CDC - Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASDs) -

NCBDDD, n.d.). The website provides such information as symptoms, diagnosis and treatment options. A great resource. Children's Specialized Hospital | Foundation. (n.d.). . Retrieved October 17, 2010, from http://www.childrens-specialized.org/Foundation_new.asp?id=695 This site is part of one of the largest childrens rehabilitation hospitals in the country, the Childrens Specialized Hospital in New Brunswick, New Jersey. This website provides a plethora of information on integrating persons with autism into the community at large, not necessarily just the library. This website provides downloadable pamphlets, brochures and presentation all geared to making the lives of persons with autism more fulfilling with regards to community access, job opportunities and family time. Healing Thresholds at www.healingthresohlds.com Miller writing for the Library Journal 'This site is of inestimable value to parents of autistic children. The thorough and carefule yoking of current efficacious therapies, research and news with extensive and geographically diverse directory of autism professionals helps mitigate the arcane and bewildering autism cosmos' (Miller, 2010). The Library Journal can be found in Ulrich's with a review by Amy Jackson stating "Library Journal's mission is to be a "onestop source" for the information needs of all librarians" (Jackson, 2010). Libraries and Autism: We're Connected. (n.d.). . Retrieved September 23, 2010, from http://www.thejointlibrary.org/autism/ A great website to start off any project involving persons with autism and the library, this website has won the 2009 ASCLA/KLAS/NOD Award. The award is sponsored by the Association of Specialized and Cooperative Library Agencies (ASCLA), Keystone Systems and the National Organization on Disability (NOD). Winners are honored for innovative and well organized projects that have successfully developed or expanded library services for people with disabilities.( ALA, 2009). Also this website can be found on the IPL2 website as a reliable website. The website includes references, training videos and strategies for working with people with autism.

Youtube Videos
Libraries and Autism Part 1: YouTube - Libraries and Autism - Part 1 of 2. (n.d.). . Retrieved September 25, 2010, from http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yGyhKgdr9mU Libraries and Autism Part 2: YouTube - Libraries And Autism - Part 2 of 2. (n.d.). . Retrieved September 25, 2010, from http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wOId-WbHPb4&feature=related

These vidoes are part of the Libraries and Autism: We're Connected website. These videos were developed by the Scotch Plains Public Library and the Fanwood Memorial Library in order to identify strategies that librarians can use when serving persons with autism. Both videos use children and adults with autism as well as parents and caregivers. These are informative videos.

References
ALA (2009, April 7). 2009 ASCLA/KLAS/NOD award-winning project educates librarians about autism.retrieved from http://0www.ala.org.sapl.sat.lib.tx.us/ala/newspresscenter/news/pressreleases2009/april2009/asclaklasno d.cfm Estes, S. (1999). [Review of book Including families of children with special needs: a how-todo-it manual for librarians by Sandra Feinberg, Barbara Jordan, Kathleen Deerr and Michelle Langa]. Booklist. Goodwin, H. (2007). [Review of book Could it be autism? A Parent's guide to the first signs and next steps by Nancy Wiseman]. Journal of Developmental and Behavioral Pediatrics.

Jackson, Amy. (2010, March 9). Ulrichsweb.com--Full Citation. Ulrichsweb. Retrieved September 27, 2010, from http://www.ulrichsweb.com/ulrichsweb/Search/fullCitation.asp?tab=6&navPage=1&serial_uid= 457233&issn= Lucas, L. (1991). [Review of the book Meeting the needs of people with disabilities: a gude for librarians, educators and other service professionals by Ruth A. Velleman]. RQ. Miller, B. (2010). Free Reference. Library Journal.

Williams, W.W. (2002). Briefly Noted [Review of the book Planning for lIbrary services to people with disabilities by Rhea Joyce Rubin]. Library Journal. Williams, W.W. (1999). Briefly Noted [Review of the booklet Guidelines for library services for people with mental retardation]. Library Journal.