2012 NJLA Conference Presentation

1. Programs for
Children with Autism
and their Families
NJLA Conference 2012
By:
Susanna Chan
Head of Children’s Services
South Brunswick Public Library
110 Kingston Lane
Monmouth Junction NJ 08852
Phone: 732-329-4000 ext. 7285
Email: schan@sbpl.info

2. Agenda
• Provide a Welcoming Space
• Working with Children in the Spectrum
• Programs for Children with ASD and Their
Families
• Program Publicities
• To Conclude….
• Work Cited
• Organizations working with the ASD Community
in New Jersey
• Additional Resources

3. Provide a Welcoming Space
•Staff training to create a friendly and welcoming
environment
– Video produced by Scotch Plains Public Library and
Fanwood Memorial Library http://
www.thejointlibrary.org/autism/
– Workshops done by organizations working with the
autism community such as Autism New Jersey,
New Jersey Early Intervention System,
Autism Speaks
•Promote Autism Awareness in the library
•Large signs to indicate different areas and library
collections
•Inclusion programs that are welcoming to
children with all abilities

4. Provide a Welcoming Space
Autism Awareness Display
April - Autism Awareness Month
Books and Booklists

5. Provide a Welcoming Space
Autism Information Center

6. Provide a Welcoming Space
Autism Awareness Poster Contest
Collaborative Program with the VSA of New Jersey

7. Provide a Welcoming Space
Clear and Large Signs

8. Working with Children in the Spectrum
• “If you have met one person with autism, you
have met one person with autism.”
• Some children on the spectrum may be sensitive to loud sounds
and excessive action. Avoid activities with excessive movements.
• Use props like scarves or bean bags and soft music.
• Do not serve food or wear perfume to avoid allergies or other
sensitivities.
• Avoid distractions.
• Always be ready to improvise if needed.
• Keep a sense of humor.

9. Working with Children in the Spectrum
• Address the child first.
• Make eye contact.
• Speak directly, slowly.
• Avoid open-ended questions.
• Give choices.
• Be patient.
• Be flexible.

10. Programs for Children with ASD and
Their Families
Creative Craft

11. Programs for Children with ASD and
Their Families
Read to a Therapy Dog

12. Programs for Children with ASD and
Their Families
Yoga for Kids

13. Programs for Children with ASD and Their
Families
Family Concert

14. Programs for Children with ASD and
Their Families
Cup Stacking Games

15. Programs for Children with ASD and
Their Families
Stories & Activities
Targeted Audience:
No age restriction but focusing on preschool
content
Content in each storytime theme kit:
•Visual Schedule
•Program Plan
•Books
•Props
•Items for activities

16. Programs for Children with ASD and
Their Families
Stories & Activities
Program Planning:
Double visuals (book/puppet, book/visuals or book/flannel
simultaneously)
•Choose books with patterns, repeating lines or easily
reproduced visual options e.g. flannels, big book kits
Musical activities using props, scarves or beanbags that
may be beneficial for hand-eye coordination and/or motor
skills
•Avoid heavy beat music or lots of movements
•Avoid use of food or wearing of perfume
Flexibility, adaptability and sense of humor

17. Programs for Children with ASD and
Their Families
Stories & Activities
• Before the Program:
• Welcoming and
relaxing atmosphere
– soft music, stuff
animals or cushions
• Introduce the
presenters

18. Programs for Children with ASD and
Their Families
Stories & Activities
• During the Program:
• Review the agenda
before start
• Be flexible and
make adjustments
to best work with
your audience’s
needs

19. Programs for Children with ASD and
Their Families
Stories & Activities
Double visuals during the program with two presenters, one can
be a parent volunteer

20. Programs for Children with ASD and
Their Families
Stories & Activities
After the Program:
•Allow extra time for families to socialize
after the program
•Collect the participants’ email
addresses during each program and offer
to send reminders of upcoming events
via email.
•Survey to receive input and suggestions
for improvements

21. Programs for Children with ASD and
Their Families
Summer Reading Programs
• Request school librarians to arrange
visits to special ed classrooms or
assemble the special ed classes together
for our SRP presentation
•Plan Summer Reading Program to
encompass children with all abilities.

22. Programs for Children with ASD and
Their Families
Library Summer Fun Festival
Organizations that work with the autism community are invited to join our
Library Summer Fun Festival, a family event with face painting, mendhi
(henna tattoos), balloon animals, games, craft stations, performances, and
informational booths from various non-profit organizations, local
businesses and township departments.

23. Programs for Children with ASD and Their
Families
Preschool Storytime
Collaborative program with Mid Jersey CARES Regional Early
Intervention Collaborative

24. Programs for Children with ASD and Their
Families –
• Music and Movement - Done by a group of
teen volunteers from the South Brunswick
township high school who are passionate to
provide services to children with special
needs. Trained and supervised.
• Job Shadowing - High school special ed
students come to the library twice weekly
during the school year to help out.

25. Programs for Children with ASD and
Their Families
Parenting Workshops
• Promoting Social Skills for Children with
Autism Spectrum Disorder -- Collaborative
program with Autism NJ
• The Next Steps: After Your Child has been
Diagnosed with an Autism Spectrum
Disorder --Collaborative program with
Autism NJ
• Coping Skills for Parents of Children with
Autism, ADHD, Bipolar Disorder and Other
Mental Health Disorders -- Collaborative
program with NAMI New Jersey.

26. Programs for Children with ASD and
Their Families
Parenting Workshops
Parenting Series -
A total 15-hour course that focuses on teaching a
behavioral approach to parenting for families of
children with autism (ASD).
Collaborative program with Autism NJ
Parenting for Picky Eaters and Problem Feeders
–
Designed to help parents learn more about how
to manage food issues and provide a well
balanced diet for their child.
Collaborative program with Princeton HealthCare

27. Program Publicities
Program Flyers:
•To parents via the school system's
electronic folder
•To special ed teachers/media specialists via
email
•To preschools in the township via
email/delivery during a preschool visit
•To Township Recreation Department and
Health Department through departmental
delivery

28. Program Publicities
Others:
•Introduce the variety of programs we have to
parents/caregivers who show interest
•Introduce other available programs at the
beginning/ending of each program
•Have a variety of program flyers, signup
sheets for email notification of further
programs available
•Library newsletter
•Email Blast to all library users
•Communication Booklets at public desks and
in special ed classrooms based on the booklet
developed in Libraries & Autism Year 1
Contract

29. To Conclude …..
• Remember that every child with autism is unique.
• Make the library more welcoming with staff training,
signage, promote autism awareness in the
community.
• Provide inclusion programs if possible.
• Patience.
• Have choices available, some kids may like a certain
sensory stimuli but not the others
• Be flexible and ready to improvise.
• Get help from your community: parents, special ed
teachers, staff, teen volunteers
• Publicity: Flyers, newsletters, press releases, words
of mouth, through P.T.O., special ed teachers, direct
emails to parents with children in the spectrum,
through school Friday folders (if possible)

30. Works Cited
Libraries and Autism: We're Connected
http://www.thejointlibrary.org/autism/
Libraries and Autism: Year 2 Wiki
http://librariesandautism.pbworks.com/
Tip Sheet: People with Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD): What You Need to Know
http://www.ala.org/ascla/sites/ala.org.ascla/files/content/asclaprotools/accessibilitytipsheets/tipsheets/6
Top 10 Ways to Tell if Your Library is Inclusive by Renee Grassi
http://www.alsc.ala.org/blog/2012/04/top-ten-ways-to-tell-if-your-library-is-inclusive/
Autism in Your Library by Renee Grassi
http://www.alsc.ala.org/blog/2012/03/autism-in-your-library-customer-service-tips/
“Programming for Children with Special Needs” by Tricia Bohanon Twarogowski
http://www.alsc.ala.org/blog/2009/06/programming-for-children-with-special-needs-part-one/
Using Music with Children with Special Needs by Renee Grassi
http://www.alsc.ala.org/blog/2011/11/using-music-with-children-with-special-needs/
Serving Preschool-aged Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder and Their Families
(presented by Anne Leon and Megan Albright from Alvin Sherman Library, FL at PLA
Conference on 3/16) - Autism Spectrum Disorder Resources
http://nova.campusguides.com/asd
Sensory Storytime: A (brief) How-To Guide
http://www.alsc.ala.org/blog/2012/03/sensory-storytime-a-brief-how-to-guide/

31. Organizations working with the ASD
Community in New Jersey
New Jersey Early Intervention (NJEIS) http://www.njeis.org/
The New Jersey Early Intervention System (NJEIS), under the Division of Family Health
Services, implements New Jersey's statewide system of services for infants and toddlers,
birth to age three, with developmental delays or disabilities, and their families.
Autism New Jersey http://www.autismnj.org/
A nonprofit agency committed to ensuring safe and fulfilling lives for individuals with autism,
their families, and the professionals who support them.
Eden Autism Services http://www.edenservices.org/
A non-profit organization with a mission to improve the lives of children and adults with
autism and their families.
Autism Speaks http://www.autismspeaks.org/
The nation's largest autism science and advocacy organization, dedicated to funding research
into the causes, prevention, treatments and a cure for autism; increasing awareness of
autism spectrum disorders; and advocating for the needs of individuals with autism and
their families.
Asperger Syndrome Education Network (ASPEN) http://www.aspennj.org/
ASPEN provides families and individuals whose lives are affected by Autism Spectrum
Disorders and Nonverbal Learning Disabilities with education, support and advocacy.
NAMI - National Alliance on Mental Illness http://www.naminj.org/
NAMI provides education, support and systems advocacy to empower families
and persons with mental illness, including autism spectrum disorders.
VSA New Jersey http://www.vsanj.org/about.php
A nonprofit organization dedicated to promoting the creative power of people with disabilities.

32. Additional Resources
Additional Autism Resources:
http://www.sbpl.info/links/autismawareness.html
List of New Jersey Therapy Dog Organizations:
http://www.therapydogorganizations.net/#New_Jersey
Other Therapy Dog Organizations in New Jersey:
Therapy Dogs International
http://www.tdi-dog.org/ContactUs.aspx
Bright and Beautiful Therapy Dogs
http://www.golden-dogs.org/
Dogs in Service
http://www.barkinghills.com/dis/index.html
Kindred Souls Canine Center
http://www.kindredsoulscaninecenter.com/training.htm

33. Additional Resources
Therapeutic Yoga:
Yoga for Me
http://www.yogaforme.net/1794.html
The Infinite U LLC
http://www.theinfiniteu.com/
Fun Sense Gym
http://www.funsensegym.com/
Pediatric Therapy & Yoga of Morris
http://thewholechildnj.health.officelive.com/aboutus.aspx
Performers with experience working with the autism
community
Spook Handy – music, concert
http://www.spookhandy.com/
Youth Stages – drama workshop, theater
http://www.youthstages.com/
Cool Beans – music, concert
http://www.coolbeansmusic.com/index.html
Patricia Dahl – craft, theme parties
Email: hydro521@gmail.com; Phone: 732-690-1412

34. The End
Thank You!