Guest Blog Post: On the Spectrum and @ Your Library.
Today’s blog post is brought to you by Matthew Ross, he is the director of the Bucyrus Public Library in Ohio and the father of 3 children, one of whom is Autistic. Alex’s mom, Angie, is also an MLS librarian. Together they write this blog post for us with a unique perspective for librarians to consider when serving our tween and teen patrons on the spectrum.
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Image from http://www.displaysforschools.com/autism.html |
Matt also suggests doing targeted materials; Toys R Us gives us a good example of a helpful list with its autism friendly toys list. Without a doubt libraries could make the same type of lists highlighting books in their collections for people on the spectrum. You can read my previous blog post on Teens/Tweens with Autism and Libraries which has a link to the Toys R Us list.
Filed under: Autism, Autism and Libraries

About Karen Jensen, MLS
Karen Jensen has been a Teen Services Librarian for almost 32 years. She created TLT in 2011 and is the co-editor of The Whole Library Handbook: Teen Services with Heather Booth (ALA Editions, 2014).
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I am so pleased to read this post! I am a children's librarian in an Illinois public library, and am working to educate others about patrons with autism and other special needs. I'm glad to hear that you feel as a parents that librarians “are getting it.” It's true, though, that we need help, and as a parent, you know your child the best. Who better than to help us than you! This message is so valuable–I'll be sharing it far and wide!
I'm a Children's Librarian Assistant, but before I got the opportunity to work where I am now I worked as an aide to a young man on the Spectrum. Some of these suggestions are wonderful and I wish there were more people who knew them! Especially about not making a huge deal out of fines. My young man developed a HUGE fear of the Public Library because of fines and over due books (we worked extensively on that…). Teaching and helping those who work within the Public Libraries how to handle THEMSELVES around Spectrum kids is a wonderful idea.
I'm a Children's Librarian Assistant, but before I got the opportunity to work where I am now I worked as an aide to a young man on the Spectrum. Some of these suggestions are wonderful and I wish there were more people who knew them! Especially about not making a huge deal out of fines. My young man developed a HUGE fear of the Public Library because of fines and over due books (we worked extensively on that…). Teaching and helping those who work within the Public Libraries how to handle THEMSELVES around Spectrum kids is a wonderful idea.
Wonderful post! As some one who spent time with a young man on the Spectrum, these ideas would have helped him immensely! It is especially important to note that how WE handle ourselves around these teens and children makes a HUGE difference in their demeanor and how comfortable they are at the Library.