Sensory Storytime: Preschool Programming
that Makes Sense for Kids with Autism
ALA Conference Presentation
Tricia Bohanon Twarogowski
June 25, 2011
Feedback—First Storytime
August 2008
• This is a great idea! Kids can
• Keep things moving. Need it
roam free and make noise
louder. More action.
without parents worrying
they are bothering others.
• We hope you have more!
Thanks!
• My child would benefit from
having the books/presenters sit
in the middle of the group. The
closer the material, the more
likely he is to pay attention.
Focus Group
September 2008
10 questions including:
“What would an effective program look like?”
“What tips can you give for interacting well with your
child?”
“What resources would you recommend that the Library
have that we currently do not?”
Charlotte-Area School Visits
Garr Christian School
Fletcher School
Learning Disabilities (ADHD)
Autism Track
Metro School—CMS
Multiple disabilities (severely cognitively disabled)
Autism Society Partnership
http://www.asncmeck.org/
• Attended meetings—including regular meetings
and summer fairs
• One-on-one meetings with Parent Advocate and
President of organization
• Partnership between the Autism Society and
Library to raise Autism awareness of all library
staff members
Rhythm and Rhyme Storytime
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Audience--children with autism (primarily)
Saturday mornings work best
No age limits set
Presenters possess “flexibility plus”
Social time following program
Storytime Announcements
• Thank you for supporting our efforts to provide
specialized programming—feedback is welcome
• Purpose-not to exclude but to welcome without
judgment
• Understanding that children are at different levels—
feel free to come and go as necessary during program
• Present visual schedule for the program
Visual Schedule
Storytime Setting
• Dimmer lighting
• Seating spot—e.g. rug or
carpet square
• No food or perfume
• Stuffed animals/pillows
• Programming materials
best concealed
Storytime Components
• Visual schedule (Boardmaker)
• Books with patterns,
repeating lines or easily
reproduced visual options
• Double visuals (book/puppet
or book/flannel
simultaneously)
• Music low-key/acoustic
Book Examples
Hands On Activities
Double Visuals
Music Activities
Music Examples
Repeated Activities
Building Programming Relationships
“It’s nice to be in an open and understanding
environment. It’s just nice to be relaxed.”—Jennifer
Lang, Mother of Courtney, a 4-year old child with
sensory integration dysfunction and hyperactivity
“It’s an hour of therapy being able to interact with
Michael and see other children who have special needs
like him. It’s been nice to meet other parents who
understand what it’s like.”—Michael McManus, Sr.,
Father of Michael Jr., a 2-year old child with autism
Building Library Relationships
Response from survey 7/25/09:
“Our family does not frequent library programs
because of my autistic daughter. However;
because of Rhythm and Rhyme we have been
coming to the library and have even gotten
library cards for several members of the
family.”
Charlotte Mecklenburg Library
Training Video and ALSC Blog Series
Emily Nanney, Children’s
Services Manager, South
County Regional Library
Tricia Bohanon Twarogowski,
Former Children’s Services
Manager, Matthews Branch Library
Accessible from: http://plcmc.org/programs/special_needs/default.asp
Ideas for Addition of Sensory Benefits to
Storytime Classes
• Read a book multiple times or repeat book again as flannel story
• Add visual schedule
• Use of hands-on activities with objects--e.g. bean bags/flannel
pieces/scarves/stick objects
• Carpet squares or rug for a seating spots or use of adaptive seating –
e.g. sitting wedges or Educubes
• Adaptive technology—e.g. Big Mack switch
• Sensory integration equipment –e.g. sensory balance beam,
Therabands or textured bean bags/balls
• Incorporate tactile items of various textures (common items such as
cotton balls or corrugated paper)
Flexibility, acceptance and a positive attitude!
Contact Information
Tricia Bohanon Twarogowski
Youth Public Services Supervisor
Cuyahoga County Public Library
Maple Heights Branch
Phone: (216) 475-5000
Email: ptwarogowski@cuyahogalibrary.org