According to the wausaudailyherald, fifth-grader Jamie Lowell and teacher
Tara Tuchel from Willow River Elementary School in Hudson have created a wonderful picture book to help children understand the world of a child with autism.
My Best Friend Will" helps children move beyond mere acceptance to a celebration of differences. It is one of many new materials that have been added to the collection of the Marathon County Public Library as part of Project Inclusion, a Library Services and Construction Act grant project administered by the Wisconsin Valley Library Service.
Project Inclusion’s overall goal is for the participating libraries to "take a proactive stance to address the literacy needs of children with disabilities and to make libraries meaningful and welcoming places for these children and their families." Special emphasis was placed on adding materials especially for and about children on the autism spectrum.
This book, called "My Best Friend Will," tells the true story of Jamie’s extraordinary friendship with Will, her classmate with autism. Jamie met Will in kindergarten and, with the help of an observant teacher and her creation of an integrated play group, Will learned to respond to Jamie’s attention as their friendship grew.
Black and white photographs portray Jamie and Will interacting with their classmates as the reader learns that autism is a different way of thinking, it is not contagious, that kids with autism might communicate or respond differently, but they have families and pets and likes and dislikes, just like everyone else.
Several DVDs, like the "Know the Code" and "Skill Building Buddies" series, have been added to the library collection. These modeling DVDs present effective ways to motivate children with autism to function in everyday situations and help them learn strategies to deal with routines, sharing, communicating and more.
"Emotes!" is a brand-new series of books to help children understand and process their emotions, instead of repressing them or having tantrums. Written by psychotherapist Mike Casper, and illustrated in Manga-style graphics, these picture books definitely relate to the modern-day child.
Reading materials geared for kids with special learning needs have also been added to the collection. Publisher Orca has produced several chapter books with characters and stories that appeal to older students, but are written at an easier vocabulary level. Steady Readers are audio books that are recorded at a slower speed, so children can follow along in a text at an easier pace.
Visual timers have also been added. These devices help children control their jitters. When they can actually see how much time is left in a program, they are more able to relax and pay attention. Please let the storyteller know if you would like us to use the visual timer when your child comes to a program at the library.
Many new toys have been added to the library’s play areas in Wausau, Edgar, Stratford and Mosinee. While these toys were purchased with children with special needs in mind, they are available for all children to enjoy.
Booklets listing all of the materials purchased with Project Inclusion funding are available at all Marathon County Public Library locations.
Diane Peterson is a customer services librarian at the Marathon County Public Library in Wausau.
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