Serving the Spectrum: Making Your Library a Welcoming Space for Children With Autism and Their Caregivers

Across all racial, ethnic and socioeconomic demographics, 1 in 88 children is diagnosed with autism. As more children and adults with autism visit libraries, staff must confront new challenges and opportunities to serve these patrons well. In this workshop, participants will get a general overview of autism spectrum disorders (ASD), examples of best practices for serving people with autism in the public library, and specific tips on developing or adapting library programs for young children ages 3 to 8 with ASD.

Learning Objectives:
After participating in this webinar, library staff will be able to:

• Identify the varied needs and sensitivities of people with autism using library services.
• Adapt and modify existing service models and programs to better accommodate people with autism.
• Develop a sensory-based program specifically tailored to children with ASD who are ages 3 to 8 years old.