Autism Acceptance Month Webinar

 From Nicolet Federated Library System's Nic New Weekly, April 5, 2024

April is Autism Acceptance Month

Did you know that one in 36 children are diagnosed with autism in the United States? It is the fastest-growing developmental disability in the country.

Autism Spectrum Disorder is a complex, lifelong developmental condition that typically appears during early childhood. It can impact a person’s social skills, communication, relationships, and self-regulation. 

Join the Autism Society of Maine for a webinar, Autism and Strategies, hosted by Maine CITE on April 17. Help spread awareness for early diagnosis, promote inclusion in the greater community, and practice acceptance in everyday life. 

Autism Advocacy and the Library

A recent ALSC blog post by Samantha Kretschmer of ALSC's Public Awareness and Advocacy committee addressed the ways we can become more attuned to the needs to our patrons who are affected by Autism Spectrum Disorder.

Samantha writes: " Recently I’ve had several adult friends seeking autism diagnoses for themselves and/or their children. As a neurotypical, it’s been enlightening discovering how the autistic experience is different from my own and how empowering the simple knowledge and diagnosis can be for them.  One of the biggest things I’ve learned is how important it is to have people that understand and advocate for autistics. As children’s librarians, we are in a great position to be those advocates for autistic children and their families in our library and our communities.

According to the CDC, today 1 in 36 children in the United States are affected by Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) and, while it’s much easier to diagnose children today, there are many, especially girls, that are “missed” or “hiding in plain sight” so those numbers could be even higher.  ASD is a developmental disability that can affect how autistic people behave, communicate, interact, learn, and perceive the world around them."

Stop here to read the insightful suggestions from Samantha and the committee. [ Autism Advcacy in the Library. Kretschmer, Samantha. ALSC blog. November 23, 2023.]

Free Autism-Ready Libraries Toolkit

 See the following article and other opportunities in this ALSC blog post, May 24, 2023.

In March 2020, ALSC provided a letter to the Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS) in support of a University of Washington Information School (iSchool) project, Autism-Ready Libraries. The project, subsequently funded by IMLS, aimed to improve libraries’ capacity to provide early literacy programming to autistic children and their families.

As a result of preliminary studies and investigation, iSchool researchers developed the Autism-Ready Libraries Toolkit (ARLT), which is now available online. The toolkit includes early literacy programming and training materials to empower librarians to effectively serve autistic children and their families.

Service to New Americans Toolkit

The ALSC Library Service to Underserved Children and Their Communities committee is working on a new toolkit.

Entitled "New Americans", this toolkit seeks to provide resources and guidance to help libraries better serve refugees, new immigrants, asylum seekers, and migrants.  The toolkit, as it is developing, has a booklist and a growing list of resources to help us serve these New Americans more effectively.

This toolkit is one of 6 that the committee has developed in the past 2 years (others include Children with Print Disabilities; Access to Technology; Spanish Speaking Populations; Financial Insecurity and Homelessness Resources and Autism and Sensory Processing Disorder Resources). They can all be accessed for free here.

Stop here to access the new developing toolkit as well as contribute with your experiences and ideas. Together, as these resources are developed and shared, we are stronger!!

Autism Welcome Here Grant Opportunity

GRANT DESCRIPTION

For the fifth year, this grant will award a total of $5,000.00, with all of the funds either going to one proposal or the amount divided among several applicants, depending on the applications received.  All types of libraries, either in the United States or Canada, are encouraged to apply, and proposals will be eligible that fund projects and/or services directed at any age group.  Applicants may propose to initiate a new, creative program or service, bring an established, successful program or service to their library for the first time, or enhance a program or service that they currently offer.  All proposed projects must benefit people with autism or their families, directly or indirectly.  Funds may be used to hire a trainer to present a workshop, buy program materials, pay for staff coverage, etc., so long as these expenses further the library’s ability to serve people with autism through the proposed initiative.

SEE THE PREVIOUS GRANT WINNERS AND THE PROJECTS THAT WERE FUNDED HERE: www.librariesandautism.org/grant/GrantWinners.htm

DATES

Applications will be accepted starting September 1, 2019.

The application deadline is December 1, 2019.

The winning applicant(s) will be notified by March 1, 2020.

The grant-funding period is from April 1, 2020 – March 31, 2021.

CRITERIA FOR SELECTION

1.       The project is clearly described and well thought out.

2.       The potential impact is significant.

3.       There is institutional support for the program or service.

4.       People with autism, family members or other community stakeholders are involved in the development and/or implementation of the project.

5.       The program is one that would be replicable in other communities.

6.       The program or service is based on an understanding of the needs of people with autism and/or best practices in working with this population.

7.       There is a plan for the continuation of the service or program after the grant year.

8.       The project would not be possible without outside funding.

GRANT FORMS: The following 2020-2021 grant forms can be downloaded at www.librariesandautism.org/grant:

1. The Grant Application - All questions must be answered, unless they are marked "optional”

2. The Grant Sample Budget Sheet –All budget items must also be included in the grant narrative

3. The Grant Report Guidelines

Applications, budget sheets, institutional letters of support and other supporting documentation

 must be submitted as email attachments to: grant@librariesandautism.org