2. Autism Autism is a broad spectrum
Autism was initially misdiagnosed and treated as a mental disease or a psychological disorder mistakenly thought be to be brought upon by “cold” parenting style, parental neglect or abuse.
Autism is a broad spectrum
neurological disorder with no known cause.
It is not behavior issue

3. Pervasive Developmental Disorders
Autistic Disorder
Childhood Disintegrative
Disorder
Pervasive Developmental
Disorder NOS
Rett’s Disorder
Asperger’s Disorder

4. Demographics
Approximately 1 out of 99 children ages 3 to 17 are diagnosed with autism
1 in 70 boys
30% also have ADHD
Meet one person with autism, you’ve met one person with autism

5. Impairments in Social Behavior
non-verbal behavior
May have poor eye contact. Limited gestures.
peer relationships
May not interact with peers.
comprehension
May not understand simple questions, jokes, sarcasm.
spoken language
May lack or demonstrate delay in spoken language.
May have monotone or have unusual pitch or rhythm.
initiation
May not initiate or sustain a conversation.
Might not know to ask a question

6. Impairments in Communication
Don’t understand time
how long to use a computer
Visual
maps of library, etc
Need very specific instructions
Not just clean up, what clean up
Can’t take experiences and apply to a new situation
can’t read a room
Can’t read body language or facial expressions

7. Learning Restrictive, Repetitive, and Stereotyped Patterns of Behavior
limited interests
May only be interested in trains.
ritualistic
May line up objects in particular pattern and tantrum if pattern is upset.
stereotypy
May engage in hand flapping.
over selectivity
Preoccupied with parts of objects.

8. Tantrums. Why?
Maybe the person is feeling overwhelmed with a noisy environment and knows if he or she tantrums, they will be removed from the environment.

9. Restricted Behavioral Repertoire
May have preoccupations with…
chin-tapping
head-banging
clapping
tearing paper
breaking glass
spinning things
spinning oneself or running in circles
colored and shiny objects
matching objects
blinking compulsively
switching lights on and off
dropping things repetitively
jumping
rocking
hand-shaking
flicking objects

10. Variations in Autism no concept of private conversation
Inability to stop talking
physical overactivity
difficulty mixing in with other people
no fear of real dangers
inappropriate laughter
oversensitive to pain
spin objects
apparent insensitivity to noise
resist changes in routine
poor eye contact
inappropriate attachment to objects
uneven skill level across areas
oversensitive to noise
extreme passivity
sustained by odd play
apparent insensitivity to pain

11. Barriers to Inclusion
Parents of children with autism often avoid community interaction because of the child’s “inappropriate” tendencies.
Make parents feel welcome.
Onlookers might misunderstand the person’s behavior and/or the caregiver’s reactions.
How you interact will be show the way for our other patrons should interact.

12. Show Respect the way you talk with anyone else people-first language
correct disability terms
protecting privacy and confidentiality
listening to the person
speak directly to the person
providing opportunities for expression
allowing the person to make choices
having developmentally-appropriate expectations

13. Participation Value the dignity of each individual.
Be patient and allow the person time to complete tasks.
When offering help, first ask what help is needed
Perhaps bend a rule or two…checking out the same book again and again.

14. Grant Outcomes Collection Development My Library Book Guide Book
Online Resources
Decals on the doors
Raise awareness