Sensory Storytime: library services for autistic children

Photograph by Barrett Rudich.

Here, at Multnomah County Library, we offer a monthly Sensory Storytime for preschool children on the autism spectrum in two of our 17 locations. We started it a few years ago in response to parent requests for a time where they could be with other parents who would be more tolerant of their children’s behavior than those in our other (very crowded) story programs. Parents, grandparents, and aides are all welcome, as are children of any age who have trouble sitting still in storytime. Each librarian has storyboard software and uses the pictures to orient kids to what will happen during the program. Flexibility is the key: books may be repeated a few times or abandoned if they’re not working. Staff include music, puppets, and sometimes a simple craft activity. The staff tone is calm, concrete, reassuring, and accepting of all behavior except that which hurts others. We’ve networked with nearby groups so that we can learn about and support teaching methods that are used locally, to gain training and get advice on useful supplies, and to help us market the program. We got the idea when we visited the Mt. Lebanon (PA) Public Library.—Ellen Fader, Youth Services Director, Multnomah County Library, Portland, OR

A comment on SLJ.com in response to our August 2009 feature “The Equal Opportunity Disorder.”