2017 “Autism Welcome Here: Library Programs, Services and More” Grant Winner Honored at Targeting Autism Forum
Wisner Public Library was the 2017 winner of the “Autism Welcome Here: Library Programs, Services and More” Grant. Representing the Wisner Library at the Targeting Autism Forum was YA Librarian, Dianne Aimone.
The Wisner Library will receive $5,000 for their project, “Improve Your Social Library: Social Skills for Tweens and Teens with Autism. The grant funds will be used to provide a series of workshops designed to support the development of social skills for teens and tweens with ASD. Participants will have the opportunity to learn about the library, form a book group, enhance their social media etiquette, express themselves through art projects, play board games, take part in a group dance, and more. The program has three primary goals: introduce and encourage social skills that teens and tweens can apply in the library and beyond; provide those on the spectrum and their families a safe and familiar place in the community; demonstrate respect for neurodiversity and inclusion.
Barbara Klipper, creator of the grant program was delighted at this year’s pick.”…Their parent-initiated proposal was well-written, is easily replicable and serves an often overlooked subgroup of the ASD population…”
2017 Targeting Autism Forum — A Huge Success!
The 2017 Targeting Autism Forum, held on May 11-12 was educational and offered a group of library staff, autism and other disabilities service providers, teachers and therapists from Illinois, as well as, nationwide and Canada, an opportunity to network with over 80 “like minded” people who share their vision of a world that is inclusive of autism and other hidden disabilities. While the forum included a variety of topics pertaining to all ages, many of our speakers and panels addressed the issue employment and support for individuals who are transitioning out of high school.
The following includes photos from the forum. All sessions were recorded and are available on the Targeting Autism YouTube Channel. Links to individual presentations are highlighted below:
Michael John Carley — author of Asperger’s From the Inside Out and Unemployed on the Autism Spectrum. Carley was also the founder and first Executive Director of GRASP an former Executive Director of ASTEP. Click here to view presentation, Part I and Part II.
Employed and on the Spectrum — A panel discussion with Philip Zupon, Librarian, Ionia Correctional Facility; Dan O’Hara, Librarian, Midlothian Public Library; Ata Bird, Teacher/BCaBA, Champaign, IL; Tina Dolcetti, Librarian, Moose Jaw Public Library. Moderated by Russ Bonanno, The Autism Program of Illinois (TAP). Click here to view the presentation, Part I and Part II.
The Role of Relationships in Successful Adulting with ASD. Brian R. King, author of Strategies for Building Successful Relationships with People on the Autism Spectrum. Click here to view the presentation.
Sparking Creative Expression for Adults on the Spectrum and Ideas for Libraries. An engaging presentation about the path to creative writing, publishing and the special difficulties that creative people on the spectrum face and how libraries can support them. Colin Eldred-Cohen, author of children’s book, The Fire Truck Who Got Lost and Anlor Davin, author of Being Seen. Click here to view the presentation Part I and Part II.
5 Essentials for Engineering the Library Environment to Meet the Needs of the Autism Community. Linda Hodgdon, author of Visual Strategies For Improving Communication, autism consultant, referred to as “The Queen of Visuals,” shares how a few easy accommodations can provide significant opportunity for patrons to benefit from libraries. Click here to view the presentation.
Inclusion in the Library: Making it Real presented by Carrie Banks, Director, Brooklyn Public Library’s Inclusive Services and author of Including Families of Children with Special Needs. Click here to view presentation, Part I and Part II.
Exploring Library Services for Underserved Populations. Debra Vines, Founder & Executive Director of The Answer, Inc., along with Keisha Hester and Katrina Thompson explore the impact of autism in communities of color and the important charge for libraries to engage all members of their community. Click here to view presentation.
Tu Y Yo’s Dream Libraries. Tu Y Yo is Grupo Salto’s peer mentorship group for adolescents and adult autism self-advocates serving the Chicagoland area. The group name Tu Y Yo is the Spanish phrase for “you and I’ which expresses connection to the Spanish speaking cultures many of the participants come from. Their panel shares ideas to make libraries more inclusive learning environments. Click here to view the presentation.
Libraries Providing Work Experiences for Those on the Spectrum — A Report by Magi Henderson, Glen Carbon Centennial Library and Janet McAllister, Rochester Public Library. Click here to view the presentation.
Library Departments Working Together Toward Inclusion — A Report by Beth Paoli, Literacy Consultant, IL State Library, and Debra Aggertt, Associate Director for Library Development, IL State Library. Click here to view the presentation.
Getting Ready for Next Week’s 2017 Targeting Autism Forum!!
Only one more week until the 3rd annual Targeting Autism Forum at the Illinois State Library. The national forum promises to be a wonderful event that engages librarians from all types of libraries with a diverse group of service providers, educators, authors and other autism advocates and experts.
A number of the speakers during the two-day event, May 11-12, are professionals and/or authors who are also on the autism spectrum. This provides a great opportunity to learn from individuals who experience autism first-hand every day.
For those not attending in person, all presentations will be recorded and made accessible on the Targeting Autism YouTube Channel.
On the Road to Literacy with Targeting Autism
The Literacy Office of the Illinois State Library (ISL) included autism on the list of important topics addressed at this year’s “On the Road to Literacy” Conference held at the University of Illinois, Chicago, on Saturday, April 8. Mary Pelich, Autism Trainer & Consultant, *Targeting Autism Project, ISL; Suzanne Schriar, Associate Director, Library Automation & Technology, ISL, and Principle Investigator, Targeting Autism Project; and Debra Vines, Illinois State Library Advisory Committee Member and Founder & Executive Director of The Answer, Inc. had the privilege of delivering presentations at the event. April, designated as Autism Awareness Month, contributed to the focus and timeliness of the content.
Mary and Suzanne shared their knowledge of the highly individualized and often hidden characteristics of autism. They provided many suggestions and examples of ways to overcome the learning obstacles and challenges faced by individuals with autism, including: (1) physical and spatial accommodations, (2) visual aids, (3) format adaptations of reading materials, and (4) practical advice for ensuring inclusive and welcoming interactions. Debra shared her personal story as the mother of an adult son with non-verbal autism and how her experience led her to start her own not for profit organization, The Answer, Inc., in 2007. The Answer supports parents and caregivers by providing case management/referral services, resources, tutoring and recreational opportunities for individuals with autism and their families. Debra addressed the major issue of young adults on the spectrum who experience unique challenges in finding work or enrolling in appropriate education opportunities after leaving high school due to poor literacy skills; and she shared how The Answer, Inc., is addressing this need with their “Spectrum University Tutoring Program”.
In addition to these workshops, Mary and Suzanne led a lunchtime discussion with literacy tutors on how the ISL Literacy Office has added autism-related books to their adult new reader collections and story kits. Both also provided a demonstration of sensory activities added to the story kits to engage new readers on the autism spectrum. General information and instructions on borrowing the materials and working with new readers was also shared. For more information about the Literacy Office at the Illinois State Library, contact Beth Paoli.
*Targeting Autism is made possible by a grant from the U.S. Institute of Museum and Library Services and the Secretary of State/Illinois State Library.
Deadline to Register for the Targeting Autism Forum is April 7th!
There are still some openings to attend the Targeting Autism Forum, May 11-12th at the Illinois State Library, but we are quickly reaching our attendance limit. The complete agenda is available here:
2017 Targeting Autism Forum agenda final
If you are interested in attending, please send an email to Suzanne Schriar with a brief statement about what you hope to gain from the forum.
If you are unable to attend, all forum sessions will be recorded and archived for viewing after the event.
targetingautismlibs.com 