Local Director Featured in New Resource for Children and Teens with Autism Spectrum Disorder

Before she became the director for the Cutchogue-New Suffolk Free Library, Jenn Fowler was the Head of Teen Services at the West Islip Public Library. While she was at West Islip, she ran a program for teens with special needs. That program was included in the new professional resource title for youth librarians by Barbara Klipper, Programming for Children and Teens with Autism Spectrum Disorder.

Those who understand the unique sensitivities of young people with
autism spectrum disorder, now the second most commonly diagnosed serious developmental disability, know that ordinary library programming guides are not up to the task of effectively serving these library users. Author Barbara Klipper has presented at conferences and trained librarians from around the country in autism awareness, and the grant-funded Sensory Storytime programming she developed at The Ferguson Library in Stamford, Connecticut is a model for reaching youth with autism spectrum disorder. Her complete programming guide, ideal for audiences ranging from preschool through school-age children, teens, and families:

* provides background information on the disorder to help
librarians understand how to program for this special audience;  
  

                                                              * includes a list of additional resources that will prove valuable
                                                                 to librarians and parents/caregivers alike.

                                                              * features step-by-step programs from librarians across the
                                                               country, adaptable for both public and school library settings;