Adaptive/assistive communication devices for libraries
- Free assistive communication apps
  - BluebeePals: Lists Free AAC apps for iPads
  - Central Coast Children's Foundation: Free and Inexpensive apps for people who need Augmentive Communication Supports
  - http://praacticalaac.org: 59 Free or Lite Versions of AAC Apps
- Assistive communication apps for purchase
  - Grace - award winning app, uses pictures to allow non-speaking/limited speech patrons to communicate independently ($29.99)
  - Spectronics Inclusive Learning Technologies: list of iPhone/iPad apps for AAC
  - Voice4u - symbol-based communication app for people with speech challenges ($59.99)
- Products
  - The Little Black Duck - designs products for autism communication services
    - Boardmaker - provides symbol adapted accessible curriculum material for teachers and therapists
    - Speakprose - allows for quick ways to communicate nonverbally through swipes and taps to speak out loud
- PBS Newshour Video - Debra Vines - Working to increase resources for African Americans with ASD
- Video - What is assistive technology?
- Video - Understanding assistive technology - Simply Said
- Video - Penny Uses assistive technology - 2.5 year old girl with autism uses technology
- Video - Real Look Autism features student using AT

Autism Spectrum Disorder bridges a vast range of cognitive and communication abilities. Use of adaptive/assistive communication devices allows children with either limited language skills or children who are nonspeaking to communicate with their families, peers, and teachers. Augmentative and alternative communication, (AAC) "systems provide an active means of communication, which tends to improve verbal speech. The process of learning the meaning of one word, then increasing their single word vocabulary, and then combining words together to make phrases and sentences helps children with autism reach the goal of independent, spontaneous communication." (The Center for AAC, 2018) Children do not need any training or skills prior to using adaptive communication devices. Modifications can be made to increase screen size, to limit available choices, and to highlight keys.

"Full interpersonal communication substantially enhances an individual's potential for education, employment, and independence. Therefore, it is imperative that the goal of augmentative and alternative communication (AAC) use be the most effective interactive communication possible. Anything less represents a compromise of the individual's human potential."

American Speech-Hearing Association (ASHA)

For more information on assistive technology, revisit Targeting Autism's Topic 3, offering further information regarding Apps related to Autism and assistive technology!

Autism ListServ Sign-Up
Autism-Works - This listserv platform allows librarians to pose questions or share ideas with other librarians, autism advocates, self-advocates and other experts on autism.
How to Support Language Development in Young Students with ASD - Presentation with ideas and teaching strategies
School Community Tool Kit - Tool Kit to support and understand students with ASD
The Answer, Inc. - Debra Vines' non-profit designed to destigmatize opinions about people with ASD and to empower affected families
Just for Men - a support group that caters to the needs of the fathers with children with autism.

Activity: Now that you've seen some of the assistive technology available, what would you use in your library? What resources do you already have? How would you adjust your budget to purchase and include assistive technology in a program or service for children, teens, or adults on the autism spectrum?

Type Your Ideas Here

Books

Apps for Autism: A Must Have Resource for the Special Needs Community by Lois Jean Brady

Emergence: Labeled Autistic by Temple Grandin

In a Different Key by John Donvan and Caren Zucker (Click here for the All Things Considered - Interview with the authors)

NeuroTribes: The Legacy of Autism and the Future of Neurodiversity by Steve Silberman - "A groundbreaking book that upends conventional thinking about autism and suggests a broader model for acceptance, understanding, and full participation in society for people who think differently" (Silberman, 2018). Click here for the Book review from the NY Times.

Temple Grandin: The Autistic Brain (Click here to view a great lecture by Temple Grandin.)

The Reason I Jump: The Inner Voice of a Thirteen-Year-Old Boy with Autism by Naoki Higashida (Click here for the NY Times Book Review).

The Way I See It (4th edition) by Dr. Temple Grandin - "This is a comprehensive book for parents and teachers of young children. Includes short chapters indexed by subject - early intervention, classroom inclusion, medication, sensory issues, and even video games. This is my most comprehensive book for parents and teachers who work with young children."

Thinking in Pictures - (My Life with Autism) by Dr. Temple Grandin - This is an autobiography that describes visual thinking and includes a special section for those coping with anxiety.

Using Children's Picture Books in Inclusion Classrooms - Tips and techniques for teachers/librarians on how to use books featuring characters with autism to teach empathy, understanding, and awareness about ASD

Project ENABLE's Resource Database offers even more titles to explore. Check this out before completing Activity #9.

Activity #9: You are the youth services librarian and you are placing an order to increase the size of your collection for students with disabilities. Which 3-5 books, that feature main characters who have ASD, would you most want to add to your collection?

Type Your Ideas Here

Sensory Friendly Events

AMC Sensory Friendly Movies - searchable for movie schedule and locations
Autism Friendly Events - events organized by date, can be filtered by state
Chuck E. Cheese Sensory Sensitive Sunday
How To Host a Sensory Friendly Event - tips on how to create sensory friendly events

Social Media

Blogs
- The National Collaborative on Workforce and Disability for Youth - NCWD/Y Blog
- Vetted blogs from autismspeaks.org - Autism Speaks Blogs
Facebook - many groups and organizations to either join or follow
Instagram - #autism
Twitter - @autism or #autism

Activity #10: Join one of the two hashtag groups listed above. Describe one of the discussions you found in that group. How has social media created a powerful platform for people with ASD?

Videos

Professional Development for Librarians

Serving Library Users on the Autism Spectrum: A self-paced course for librarians: Serving Library Users on the Spectrum. This course has four research based, free, professional development modules to train librarians around serving and supporting patrons with ASD.
Autism Focused Intervention Resources and Modules (AFIRM): The National Professional Development Center on Autism Spectrum Disorder (reworking many of the online modules).
Professional Development in Autism Project: Indiana University at Bloomington
Understanding Autism: Professional Development Curriculum: Organization for Autism Research
Autism Internet Modules (AIM) from OCALI
CDC's autism internet training modules
Video: example of a sensory storytime.

Resources

Resources For People With ASD and Their Families You Should Know About

Community Resources for Librarians