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<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2><SPAN class=863270515-26082008>ALA's Association
for Library Services to Children blog has a very useful post about working with
autistic children in the library, primarily during storytimes. The poster
includes references to a few websites and books for more
information.</SPAN></FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2><A
href="http://www.alsc.ala.org/blog/?p=536">http://www.alsc.ala.org/blog/?p=536</A></FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><SPAN class=863270515-26082008><FONT face=Arial size=2>Here are a few
things I pulled directly from the post:</FONT></SPAN></DIV>
<DIV><SPAN class=863270515-26082008><FONT face=Arial
size=2></FONT></SPAN> </DIV>
<DIV><SPAN class=863270515-26082008>Between 1 and 1.5 million Americans are
autistic.</SPAN></DIV>
<DIV><SPAN class=863270515-26082008><FONT face=Arial
size=2></FONT></SPAN> </DIV>
<DIV><SPAN class=863270515-26082008>Without a doubt, storytimes with autistic
students have been some of the most rewarding programs in my career so
far. The kids are smart, surprising, and each time I see them, I learn
something new.</SPAN></DIV>
<DIV><SPAN class=863270515-26082008><SPAN class=863270515-26082008><FONT
face=Arial size=2></FONT></SPAN></SPAN> </DIV>
<DIV><SPAN class=863270515-26082008><SPAN class=863270515-26082008><SPAN
class=863270515-26082008>Keep in mind that every child with autism is different
and responds differently to visual and aural activities. The best way to
develop your program is by getting to know the children and talking with their
teachers or parents about what works for them.</SPAN></SPAN></SPAN></DIV>
<DIV><SPAN class=863270515-26082008><SPAN class=863270515-26082008><SPAN
class=863270515-26082008></SPAN></SPAN></SPAN> </DIV>
<DIV><SPAN class=863270515-26082008><SPAN class=863270515-26082008><SPAN
class=863270515-26082008>
<DIV><SPAN class=863270515-26082008>Some autistic children have trouble making
eye-contact or focusing on one object, don’t take it personally when children
appear to be ignoring you.</SPAN></DIV>
<DIV><SPAN class=863270515-26082008><FONT face=Arial
size=2></FONT></SPAN> </DIV>
<DIV><SPAN class=863270515-26082008>Physical contact, even a high-five, can be a
very uncomfortable or even <EM>terrifying</EM> experience for children with
certain types of autism. </SPAN></DIV></SPAN></SPAN></SPAN></DIV>
<DIV><SPAN class=863270515-26082008><SPAN class=863270515-26082008><SPAN
class=863270515-26082008><FONT face=Arial
size=2></FONT></SPAN></SPAN></SPAN> </DIV>
<DIV><SPAN class=863270515-26082008><SPAN class=863270515-26082008>B</SPAN>asic
guidelines:</SPAN></DIV>
<DIV><SPAN class=863270515-26082008>- Keep things simple and explain what you
are doing/are about to do.<BR>- If possible, use picture cards to show how the
program will proceed. Being told the order of things seems to help the
children settle and feel more comfortable. It gives them something concrete to
focus on and a sense of control. <BR>- Do not worry if the children appear
to be “zoning out.”</SPAN></DIV>
<DIV><SPAN class=863270515-26082008>- Keep the same routine/outline for each
program.</SPAN></DIV>
<DIV><SPAN class=863270515-26082008></SPAN> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2>Katie Anderson</FONT></DIV>
<DIV align=left><FONT face=Arial size=2>Youth Services Consultant</FONT></DIV>
<DIV align=left><FONT face=Arial size=2>Oregon Center for the Book
Coordinator</FONT></DIV>
<DIV align=left><FONT face=Arial size=2>Library Development</FONT></DIV>
<DIV align=left><FONT face=Arial size=2>Oregon State Library</FONT></DIV>
<DIV align=left><FONT face=Arial size=2>503-378-2528</FONT></DIV>
<DIV align=left><FONT face=Arial size=2><A
href="mailto:katie.anderson@state.or.us">katie.anderson@state.or.us</A></FONT></DIV>
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