In light of Autism Awareness Month, Gainesville libraries are launching new programs geared toward children with autism.
The Alachua County Library District plans to unveil Sensory Storytime for children with sensory integration challenges.
Erin Phemester, youth services senior manager at the Alachua County Library District, wrote in an email the new storytime program hopes to involve all children, particularly those with autism. The first program starts April 19 at the Headquarters Library, at 401 E. University Ave. Registration for the first storytime starts Wednesday.
During the storytime, the children will listen to stories and songs and play with lap-dogs.
“This is an opportunity to highlight the growing need for concern and awareness about autism, the fastest-growing serious developmental disability in the U.S.,” Phemester said.
The Library District partnered with UF to learn more about how autism affects children and reading.
Phemester said the library’s staff has been working with UF and its Center for Autism and Related Disabilities to learn the best methods for working with children with autism.
Ann-Marie Orlando, coordinator for education and training programs at the UF Center for Autism and Related Disabilities, wrote in an email that autistic children start showing signs before the age of 3.
“We find that if we can create an environment where sensory stimuli is not so overwhelming, sometimes we can help to decrease anxiety and increase the ability to participate in activities with peers,” she said.
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UF’s Best Buddies chapter is also helping those with disabilities this month by hosting its first Friendship Walk on April 12 from 8 a.m. to noon on Flavet Field.
Best Buddies is an organization that pairs community members with individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities to build one-to-one friendships.
The UF chapter is starting its own walk because the central Florida walk is during graduation weekend, said Vanina Zack, the Friendship Walk coordinator and a UF communication sciences and disorders senior.
Money raised will go toward funding existing chapters and creating new ones, especially in Gainesville high schools, Zack, 22, said.
“I think it would be great for buddies in high school to have the buddy relationships and feel more part of the high school experience,” she said.
Student organizations such as Phi Sigma Pi and the Student Occupational Therapy Association will also fundraise and participate, Zack said.
The buddies look forward to the walks, too. Josh Lassiter, a 41-year-old buddy, is looking forward to going to the walk with Raina Weismantel, a 22-year-old UF elementary special education senior.
Lassiter said he joined the best buddy program as a teenager and has been with it ever since.
“I love the Gators, and I love the Best Buddies,” Lassiter said.
[A version of this story ran on page 9 on 3/31/2015 under the headline “Groups hosting local events to help GNV residents with autism”]
