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.

AutismAutism

Autism is a broad spectrum

neurological disorder with no

known cause.

Autism is a broad spectrum

neurological disorder with no

known cause.

It is not behavior issueIt is not behavior issue

Pervasive Developmental DisordersPervasive Developmental Disorders

Rett’s Disorder

Autistic Disorder

Pervasive Developmental Disorder NOS

Asperger’s Disorder

Childhood DisintegrativeDisorder

• 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

DemographicDemographicss

• 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

Impairments in Social Impairments in Social BehaviorBehavior

Impairments in Impairments in CommunicationCommunication

• 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

Learning Restrictive, Learning Restrictive, Repetitive, Repetitive, and Stereotyped Patterns of and Stereotyped Patterns of BehaviorBehavior

• 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.

Tantrums. Why?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.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fiOI365yD1Q

Restricted Behavioral Restricted Behavioral RepertoireRepertoire

• matching objects• blinking

compulsively• switching lights on

and off• dropping things

repetitively• jumping• rocking• hand-shaking• flicking objects

• chin-tapping• head-banging• clapping• tearing paper• breaking glass• spinning things• spinning oneself

or running in circles

• colored and shiny objects

May have preoccupations with…May have preoccupations with…

Variations in AutismVariations in Autismno concept of private conversation

no fear of real dangers

apparent insensitivity to pain

inappropriate laughter

inappropriate attachment to objects

sustained by odd play

resist changes in routine

spin objectsoversensitive to pain

difficulty mixing in with other people

apparent insensitivity to noise

oversensitive to noise

poor eye contact

uneven skill level across areas

physical overactivity

extreme passivity

Inability to stop talking

Barriers to Barriers to InclusionInclusion

• 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.

• 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

Show Show RespectRespect

ParticipatiParticipationon•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.

Grant Outcomes

• Collection Development

• My Library Book

• Guide Book

• Online Resources

• Decals on the doors

• Raise awareness