Last Saturday saw the inaugural event of the Greensboro Public Library’s Special Reader’s program.
Designed to address those with additional reader needs, such as those with autism, spectrum disorders and specific learning disabilities, Saturday’s event was attended by both volunteers for the library and caretakers in a specially designed sensory-friendly environment.
The Greene County Library, part of the Azaela Regional Library System, was recently recognized as a Library of the Year, according to library manager Lonya Jackson-Sarden.
Autism is defined as a condition affecting early communication and social interaction. It can also include obsessive interests and repetitive behaviors. It is believed to affect the nervous system and is primarily diagnosed in infancy and early childhood. More than 200,000 cases are diagnosed in the United States alone and are believed to be lifelong condition.
Early recognition, as well as behavioral, educational and family therapies, may reduce symptoms and support development and learning. Many large school systems offer programs designed to help autistic children and those with learning disabilities, such as processing and dyslexia deficiencies.
Library Associate Tara Coile, a graduate of the University of Georgia (UGA), set up the program and has worked in one of the largest children’s museums in Indianapolis. Her responsibilities there included interactive programming and facilitation of visitors to the multiple levels of the building.
“I recognized that learning can be fun when engaging their interests in creative ways,” Coile said. “Hands-on activities are especially good because they become interactive for both the participant and the parent or caretaker,” she said.
Coile, a native of Greensboro, was quick to point out that the library, located at 610 South Main St., has many resources for the community through Georgia Library Services (GLS), both for students in active learning and once graduated.
Those with special visual or physical impairments can receive materials designed to make reading easier. However, there was lacking any programs to address the special needs of one with autism or a spectrum disorder.
Coile saw an opportunity to design an interactive program, which would encompass a meet and greet for attendees and activities to stimulate group participation.
As those with autism may interact and learn differently from those other students, it is important to design programs that specifically address each individual’s needs.
The Greene County Board of Education, under the No Child Left Behind Act of 2001, provides extra educational assistance for children with diagnosed disabilities in the school setting.
Many communities throughout the United States feel more can be done at both the local and state level in terms of before and after school help as well as athletic programs. Greene County initiated its “Exceptional Children’s Day” two years ago as a field day competition for special participants of all ages in the school system.
The Greene County Board of Education has adopted measures to ensure needs are being addressed and are evolving programs to support students. Last year, the Greene County school system was the recipient of a Multi-sensory Reading Instruction Training grant from the Georgia Department of Education to help to support training initiatives for reading teachers. The GCBOE was one of 31 school districts receiving grants, providing more than $4 million in federal funds to support student programs.
“The Greene County School System supports students with a variety of reading interventions and instructional strategies,” said Barbara Ross, Special Education Director. “Students are provided with targeted interventions to meet their needs and possible deficits. All programs are designed to move all students to proficiency.”
The library is planning to continue its Special Reader program throughout the summer and into the next school year.