Library Resources

• “Autism Basics: A Webinar for Librarians and Literacy Providers” (link opens the Targeting Autism page on the Illinois State Library website.  Scroll down to Training Webinars.)
• Cynthia Parkhill’s blog – A library paraprofessional, Cynthia draws attention to issues faced by adults who are on the autism spectrum, with special concern for the targets of bullying among both children and adults.
• Galesburg Public Library – Autism Spectrum Disorder Resources
• Illinois Early Intervention Clearinghouse
• Information Connections:  For Parent of Children with Developmental Disabilities and Chronic Diseases (Marianjoy Medical Library)
• It’s a Different World – a documentary about three autistic children in one family: Scott (11), Stephen and Katie Turner (10-year-old twins) over the course of two years. Each child was given a video camera to help explore their thoughts and feelings.
• Libraries Partnering to Serve the Autism Community: National Forums Offer Direction (Whitepaper) – 2017
• Libraries and Autism: We’re Connected
• Library Accessibility Toolkits – ASCLA
• Milner Library, Illinois State University, SED Biographies: Autism/Asperger’s Syndrome
• Next Chapter Book Club
• Project ENABLE blog
• Project ENABLE training
• Project PALS
• Resources for Children with Autism Available at Chicago Public Library
• Special Needs and Inclusive Library Services (SNAILS)
• Targeting Autism YouTube Channel– complete archive of annual forum presentations from 2015-present
• University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign: Autism LibGuide
• University of Kentucky Libraries: Autism Resources

Essential Reading for Librarians and Library Paraprofessionals

Accessibility for Persons with Disabilities and the Inclusive Future of Libraries: 40 (Advances in Librarianship), by Brian Wentz and Paul T. Jaeger, 2015

Crash Course in Library Services to People with Disabilities, by Ann Roberts and Richard Smith, 2010

Creating Inclusive Library Environments: A planning guide for serving patrons with disabilities, by Michelle Kowalsky and John Woodruff, 2017

Including Families of Children with Special Needs: A How-To-Do-It Manual for Librarians, Revised by Carrie Scott Banks, Sandra Feinberg, Barbara Jordan, Kathleen Deerr, Michelle Langa, 2014

Library Services for Youth with Autism Spectrum Disorder, by Lesley S.J. Farmer, 2013

Making the Library Accessible for All: A Practical Guide for Librarians, by Jane Vincent, 2014

Programming for Children and Teens with Autism Spectrum Disorder, by Barbara Klipper, 2014

Illinois Resources

• The Arc of Illinois
• Autism Assessment, Research, Treatment and Services Center (AARTS) at Rush University Medical Center
• The Autism Program of Illinois (TAP)
• Autism McLean
• Autism Resource Directory – Rush University Medical Center
• Autism Support Central Illinois (ASCI)
• Family Matters Parent Training and Information Center – Lending Library
• Illinois Assistive Technology Program (IATP)
• Illinois Department of Human Services’ Division of Developmental Disabilities — A Guide to Prioritization for Urgency of Need for Services (PUNS)
• Illinois Network of Centers for Independent Living (INCIL)
• OPTIONS Transitions to Independence
• Puzzle Solvers of Central Illinois
• STARnet: Resource Library
• Urban Autism Solutions