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Serving Library Patrons with Autism Spectrum Disorders and Their Families

Serving Library Patrons with Autism Spectrum Disorders and Their Families . Five Autism Spectrum Disorders. What Causes Autism? Nobody knows for sure. Some theories are: . Vaccines Cytokine Levels Intra-amniotic Infection The Environment Mercury in Fillings, Fish or from Coal Plants

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Serving Library Patrons with Autism Spectrum Disorders and Their Families

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  1. Serving Library Patrons with Autism Spectrum Disorders and Their Families

  2. Five Autism Spectrum Disorders

  3. What Causes Autism?Nobody knows for sure.

  4. Some theories are: • Vaccines • Cytokine Levels • Intra-amniotic Infection • The Environment • Mercury in Fillings, Fish or from Coal Plants • Birth Complications • Too Low Cholesterol • Prenatal Ultrasounds • Genetic Lack of Brain Response to Facial Expressions • Closely Spaced Pregnancies • Bottle Feeding • Heavy Metal Exposure • Anti-depressant Use in Pregnancy • Watching Television

  5. Much evidence suggests that autism is a genetic disorder • Perhaps with an environmental “trigger.” • Twin Studies • 4:1 Male to Female Ratio

  6. What “cures” autism? Applied Behavior Analysis

  7. Asperger’s Disorder • Asperger’s is currently a subtype of autism, but is typically not diagnosed until ~age eight. • Asperger’s is primarily considered a disorder of social functioning. • There is less research focus on the “cause” of Asperger’s.

  8. Asperger’s Disorder People with Asperger’s: • Have normal or above-normal intelligence; • Have good language skills; • May have difficulty with communication: • “Robotic” speech or loud talking • Focus on specific topics • Difficulty with abstract concepts – idioms.

  9. Asperger’s Disorder People with Asperger’s: • May seem socially awkward; • May have difficulty with rules that don’t “make sense,”; • May have difficulty with other’s “breaking” rules – why does no one tell the baby to stop crying?

  10. Asperger’s Disorder People with Asperger’s: • May make limited eye contact; • May not understand non-verbal social cues (lack of interest by others, body language, etc.)

  11. Autistic Disorder • “Classic” Autism includes cognitive delay/mental retardation and severe deficits in basic communication and life skills

  12. Autistic Disorder People with autism: • May have a low IQ (as measured by our tests) but still be smart; • May engage in repetitive behaviors such as hand-flapping, body rocking. • May make loud noises as a means of stimulation or from joy.

  13. Autistic Disorder People with autism: • May have limited verbal language. • May use an device (iPad or other) to communicate. • May have someone communicate for them.

  14. The Montana educational criteria for autism has: changed three times since 1994; Included students with Asperger’s only since 2000; been expanded to include 3-5 year- olds in the total count.

  15. Why the National Increase in Autism? • Expanded definition of autism - Asperger’s didn’t become part of “autism” until 1994. • Better awareness. • More prevalent opportunities for diagnosis.

  16. Children with autism are less than 1% of the Montana school- age population. (823/ 142,349)

  17. Gender

  18. Distribution by educational training region.

  19. Where are the students with autism?

  20. What Would You Do?

  21. How do you know if a patron has an autism spectrum disorder? • You may not know. • And it may not matter.

  22. How do you know if a patron has an autism spectrum disorder? A patron with Aspergers may seem socially shy or may want to talk about his/her specific interest, assuming that because you work at the library you share an enthusiasm with weaponry used in 16th century Slavic wars.

  23. How do you know if a patron has an autism spectrum disorder? We all have passions that may not be of interest to others.

  24. How do you know if a patron has an autism spectrum disorder? • A person with an autism spectrum disorder may have difficulty reading non-verbal cues (body positioning, facial expression). • They may not realize that your or another patron’s body positioning means that you wish to leave a conversation or are uncomfortable.

  25. How do you know if a patron has an autism spectrum disorder? If you need to end a conversation, explain why: “Excuse me, but I need to do (activity) now.”

  26. How do you know if a patron has an autism spectrum disorder? One parent described her son as, “ . . . sometimes it’s like Mr. 6 has a Library of Congress in his head with no retrieval system to find the right information at the right time.“

  27. How do you know if a patron has an autism spectrum disorder? Be patient. It may take a bit of, “Um, er . . . “ processing before the person comes out with what they need to say.

  28. How do you know if a patron has an autism spectrum disorder? He or she may be very welcoming and friendly. Almost assuming right off that you are a friend.

  29. How do you know if a patron has an autism spectrum disorder? She or he may interrupt your conversation with others. This can be part of having difficulty understanding social behavior.

  30. How do you know if a patron has an autism spectrum disorder? Use direct language – avoid metaphors. People with Asperger's sometimes have a literal interpretation of language.

  31. How do you know if a patron has an autism spectrum disorder? Bad metaphor – “Let’s go find that in the Back 40.” Better language – “That book is in the very back of the library by the Children’s section.”

  32. How do you know if a patron has an autism spectrum disorder? Avoid open-ended questions. Ask a multiple-choice question instead.

  33. How do you know if a patron has an autism spectrum disorder? • Open ended: “What type of materials are you looking for?” • Multiple choice: “Are you looking for a book or website?”

  34. How do you know if a patron has an autism spectrum disorder? Don’t be offended if someone avoids direct eye contact – some people with autism spectrum disorders find direct eye contact intrusive/uncomfortable.

  35. How do you know if a patron has an autism spectrum disorder? Avoid touching the person – they may have a heightened sensitivity to touch or a strong sense of personal space.

  36. Classic Autism Children or adults with classic autism may engage in hand-flapping, rocking or spinning behaviors. If the behavior isn’t bothering somebody, ignore it.

  37. Classic Autism Talk to the person, not the caregiver. If you know his or her name, use it to begin a question, “Sarah, do you like books about Thomas the Train Engine?”

  38. Classic Autism The person with classic autism may have a communication system such as a picture exchange system (icons) or an iPad. Sometimes, the caregiver will prompt or assist them to use this system. Be patient.

  39. Classic Autism Give the person ample time to respond before you repeat instructions or a question.

  40. Classic Autism Show the person how to do something, rather than just telling them. Open the book and point to pictures, lead a child to the children’s section, walk them through how to use the self-check machine, etc.

  41. Behaviors that should not be ignored are destructive activities, continued shouting or loud noises. • Assist the caregiver quietly, they may already be embarrassed.

  42. Welcome to Your Library • Consider hosting an “open house” specifically for youth with developmental disorders and their parents. • Choose the slowest evening of the week or during the summer.

  43. Welcome to Your Library Could do at the beginning of the school year and at the start of summer. Spread the word through: • Montana Autism Education Project • Easter Seals • PLUK • Special Education PTAs

  44. “Once you get to know them, people with autism are no weirder than the rest of us.”

  45. Resources for: Parents of children newly diagnosed with an autism spectrum disorder • 1001 Great Ideas for Teaching and Raising Children with Autism or Asperger’s - by Ellen Notbohm, Veronica Zysk and Temple Grandin • Autism & Asperger’s’ Syndrome in Layman’s Terms – Raymond LeBlanc • Motivate to Communicate! 300 Games and Activities For Your Child With Autism- Griffin & Sandler • No More Meltdowns: Positive Strategies for Managing and Preventing Out-Of-Control Behavior by Jed Baker Ph.D. • Early Intervention Games: Fun, Joyful Ways to Develop Social and Motor Skills in Children with Autism Spectrum or Sensory Processing Disorders by Barbara Sher • Advocating for Your Child With Autism: Complete Answers by Merryn Affleck • Brains, Trains & Video Games (Living the Autism Life) by Alicia Hart • The First Year: Autism Spectrum Disorders By Nancy D. Wiseman, with Robert L. Rich

  46. Resources for: Parents of children newly diagnosed with an autism spectrum disorder • Autism Every Day: Over 150 Strategies Lived and Learned by a Professional Autism Consultant with 3 Sons on the Spectrum. Alyson Beytien. • Autism Solutions. How to Create a Healthy and Meaningful Life for Your Child. Ricki Robinson, M.D., M.P.H. • Cutting-Edge Therapies for Autism 2010-2011. Ken Siri and Tony Lyons. • Early Intervention and Autism: Real-Life Questions and Real-Life Answers. Dr. James Ball. • The First Year: Autism Spectrum Disorders: An Essential Guide for the Newly Diagnosed Child. Nancy D. Wiseman. • From Emotions to Advocacy. The Special Education Survival Guide. 2nd Edition. Peter W.D. Wright & Pamela Darr Wright.

  47. Resources for: Parents of children newly diagnosed with an autism spectrum disorder • More Than Words® A Parent’s Guide to Building Interaction and Language Skills for Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder or Social Communication Difficulties. Second Edition Fern Sussman.. • Sharing Information About Your Child with Autism Spectrum Disorder What Do Respite or Alternative Caregivers Need to Know? Beverly Vicker, M.S. • Siblings of Children with Autism: A Guide for Families (Topics in Autism). Sandra L. Harris. • Steps to Independence. Teaching Everyday Skills to Children with Special Needs. 4th Edition. Bruce L. Baker, Alan J. Brightman. • Thinking Person’s Guide to Autism. Shannon Des Roches Rosa, Jennifer Byde Myers, Liz Ditz, Emily Willingham, Carol Greenburg.

  48. Resources for: Parents of Teenagers and Young Adults • The Funny Side of Autism by Lisa Masters • The Thursday Surprise: A Story about Kids and Autism by Ryan R Ennis • The New Social Story Book, Revised and Expanded 10th Anniversary Edition: Over 150 Social Stories that Teach Everyday Social Skills to Children with Autism or Asperger's Syndrome, and their Peers by Carol Grey • Look Me in The Eye: My Life with Asperger’s John Elder Robison • The Complete Guide to Asperger's Syndrome by Tony Attwood • Adults on the Autism Spectrum Leave the Nest: Achieving Supported Independence By Nancy Perry • Special Needs Planning Guide: How To Prepare for Every Stage of Your Child's Life By John W. Nadworny and Cynthia R. Haddad

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