Autism Friendly Libraries Autism Friendly Storytime/ Rhymetime, Here’s the list of instructions to help create autism friendly storytimes/rhymetimes from Nicky Howarth who is the manager of the communication and interaction team in Plymouth. Thanks to Sue Mills and Hannah Williams Plymouth City Council for – sharing these. Sensory overload can be a trigger for unwanted behaviour so having the • session in a quiet corner or in a meeting room would be preferable Provide space to get away from the group with a sign saying space’ • – ‘calm Have defined areas for children to sit e.g. carpet tiles or a mat • Use simple language that is very clear e.g. please sit on the red mat/ red • carpet tiles to avoid ambiguous instructions that can be confusing for people with autism. Try not to give too much choice this can be overwhelming for someone with • autism Have a list of rules and go through them at the start • Have a badge saying and your name • ‘storyteller’ Have a visual task list with symbols and words • Make use of props and resources but not things that make a loud noise as this • will be distracting Have a box with items in such as stress balls and other things to hold • Have a list of instructions on the top of the box • Any books used should have words with pictures •
Autism Friendly Libraries Autism Friendly Storytime/ Rhymetime, Here’s the list of instructions to help create autism friendly storytimes/rhymetimes from Nicky Howarth who is the manager of the communication and interaction team in Plymouth. Thanks to Sue Mills and Hannah Williams – Plymouth City Council for sharing these. • Sensory overload can be a trigger for unwanted behaviour so having the session in a quiet corner or in a meeting room would be preferable • Provide space to get away from the group – with a sign saying ‘calm space’ • Have defined areas for children to sit e.g. carpet tiles or a mat • Use simple language that is very clear e.g. please sit on the red mat/ red carpet tiles to avoid ambiguous instructions that can be confusing for people with autism. • Try not to give too much choice this can be overwhelming for someone with autism • Have a list of rules and go through them at the start • Have a badge saying ‘storyteller’ and your name • Have a visual task list with symbols and words • Make use of props and resources but not things that make a loud noise as this will be distracting • Have a box with items in such as stress balls and other things to hold • Have a list of instructions on the top of the box • Any books used should have words with pictures
Autism%20Friendly%20Libraries%20-%20rhymetimes%20and%20storytimes.docx