Programming for Children and Teens with Autism Spectrum Disorder by
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. 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
A Picture's Worth by
A Picture's Worth, the PECS primer written by the developers of the Picture Exchange Communications System, is now available in a second edition. This user-friendly guide introduces PECS , a simple and empowering communication tool in which partners exchange cards with photos or line drawings representing objects, attributes, and actions. A child or adult who has delayed or no speech can easily express his basic desires (e.g. "ice cream") or needs using a PECS card without prompting from another. And as a person's PECS usage progresses, he or she learns to put pictures together into sentences to express desires (e.g. "I want chocolate ice cream"), to comment, and to ask questions. A Picture's Worth examines verbal communication development and how autism affects these skills, and shows how a child's poor communication skills can lead to problem behaviours. Providing communication options, PECS and other augmentative and alternative communication strategies (AAC), described in the book, reduces frustration and enhances learning. This edition cites research that proves PECS (and other AAC strategies) doesn't interfere with the development of speaking skills, and actually can provide a boost to the acquisition of these skills. There's also expanded information on: deciding whether a child needs AAC and could benefit from PECS; who is an appropriate candidate for PECS; error correction strategies during the initial stages of PECS; how to choose challenging behaviours to try to eliminate; and what to do when a child does not look at pictures.