Presentation for Nov 23, 2012

1. Chinese Library Association Conference
November 2012
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2.  Heather Ketron
Head of Youth Services
Ashburn Library
Loudoun County Public Library, Virginia, USA
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3. LOUDOUN COUNTY
• 7 branches (will be 8 branches early 2013)
• Population – 328, 533 (2012 estimate)
• Public Schools – 80 (2011 – 2012)
• School enrollment – 65, 668 (Sept. 30, 2011)
• According to the US Census Bureau, Loudoun has
continued to be one of the fastest growing counties in 3
the United States.

4. ASHBURN LIBRARY
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5. ASHBURN LIBRARY
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6. ASHBURN LIBRARY YOUTH
SERVICES
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7. OPEN DOOR SPECIAL NEEDS STORYTIME
PRESENTATION PREVIEW
 Background Information
 Sample Storytime Activities
 Questions
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8. AUTISM FACTS
 Autism Spectrum Disorder is
estimated to affect more than
2 million individuals in the
U.S. and tens of millions
worldwide.
 Loudoun County Public
Schools – 742 students are
identified as autistic.
 In response, Loudoun
County Public Library
developed a storytime
program designed for
children who have
developmental disorders on
the autism spectrum.
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9. DO YOU KNOW SOMEONE WHO IS
AUTISTIC?
Autism is also known as ASD, Autism Spectrum Disorder.
•Difficulty with verbal expression, unresponsive
•Laugh or cry for no apparent reason
•Difficulty interacting with others
•Little or no eye contact
•Obsessive attachment to objects
•Sensory stimulation may lead to over or under-activity.
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10. EVERY AUTISTIC CHILD IS
DIFFERENT!
“A child may not have the same symptoms and may
seem very different from another child with the
same diagnosis. It is sometimes said, that if you
know one person with autism; you know one
person with autism.”
Source: Autism Speaks
www.autismspeaks.org/whatisit/symptoms.php
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11. 1. EVERY CHILD READY TO READ
@ YOUR LIBRARY
 Early literacy initiative – Association for
Library Service to Children, division of
American Library Association
 Talking
 Singing
 Reading
 Writing
 Playing
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12. 2. SENSORY INTEGRATION THEORY
 These are sensory storytimes vs. “regular”
storytimes.
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13. WHAT DO WE MEAN BY “SENSORY?”
 External
 Tactile
 Auditory
 Visual
 Taste & Smell
 Internal
 Proprioception – muscles &
joints
 Vestibular – movement,
balance, & coordination
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14. EARLY LITERACY + SENSORY INTEGRATION = OPEN
DOOR STORYTIME!
 Sensory storytimes are good for all children, not just special
needs children
 Open Door Storytime = Provides families with a storytime
where they can relax, with others who are familiar with
autistic behaviors
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15. PURPOSE OF OPEN DOOR
STORYTIMES
 In accordance with Loudoun County Public
Library policy and Early Literacy Guidelines,
the Open Door Special Needs Storytime programs
shall exist to:
 Share and model the importance of early literacy
activities with parents and children;
 Provide sensory integration experiences ;
 Create and sustain an accepting and welcoming
library environment for special needs children and
their families.
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16. OPEN DOOR OBJECTIVES
 Through participation in the Open Door Special Needs
Storytime program, children ages 3-5 will share early
literacy experiences. Specifically, participants will:
 Participate in a variety of early literacy
activities
 Engage in sensory activities
 Develop positive relationships with
participants and library staff
 Become aware of library resources
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17. ROLE OF LIBRARY STAFF
 We are supplementing, enriching , and
extending children’s literacy development
 We complement school instruction, we do not
provide instruction, remediation, or therapy.
 Our role is to facilitate and support children’s
learning.
 Our role is also to create a setting where
children have a positive, life-enhancing
experience in the library.
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18. FUNDING
 Funding for Open Door Special Needs Storytime
comes from the Loudoun County Public Library
operating budget.
 100 Women Strong grant = $3000
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19. OPEN DOOR COMPONENTS
 Books!
 Visual Schedule
 Use the same opening and closing routines
 Weighted lap snakes, carpet squares
 Big Mack switch
 Flannel board
 Props
 Music & Rhymes
 Movement
 Unison Reading – “read along”
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 Social Time

20. SAMPLE STORYTIME
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21. VISUAL SCHEDULE
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22. • We sing the same song each
storytime.
• Children say their names
while seeing their reflection
in the unbreakable mirror.
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23. • Parents help pass the
switch.
• Use a book with a
repeating phrase or
word.
“I can do it!”
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24. From Head to Toe Game
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26. Props – puppets; beanie babies; inflatable
animals; etc.
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27. 27

28. Using a song on a CD:
Walking, Walking
Walking, walking, walking, walking
Hop, hop, hop. Hop, hop, hop
Running, running, running. Running,
running, running.
Now let’s stop. Now let’s stop!
Using your voice!
Head and shoulders, knees and toes,
Knees and toes.
Head and shoulders, knees and toes
Knees and toes.
Eyes, and ears and mouth and nose
Head and shoulders, knees and toes
Knees and toes.
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29. Two little black birds
Sitting on a hill.
One named Jack,
One named Jill.
Fly away Jack,
Fly away Jill.
Come back Jack, Gray squirrel, gray squirrel,
Come back Jill. Swish your fluffy tail.
Gray squirrel, gray squirrel,
Swish your fluffy tail.
Wrinkle up your little nose
Hold a nut between your toes.
Gray squirrel, gray squirrel,
Swish your fluffy tail. 29

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31. Simple Yoga poses
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32. This is a nice way to share a story. Especially for the
kids who have visual impairments. They can have the 32
book close to them so they can see the illustrations.

33. • Utilizing instruments provides
a way to reinforce the musical
experience and help make it
lots of fun!
• A wonderful way to express
themselves non-verbally.
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34. Our ending routine includes a “goodbye
song”, a with a walk on the sensory beam
and some bubble popping.
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35. Toys, painting, coloring, books, blocks,
balls, etc.
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36. Thank you!
Your Questions
Contact :
Heather.Ketron@loudoun.gov
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