RunningHeadNEEDSOFHIGH-FUNCTIONING.docVIP

Running Head: NEEDS OF HIGH-FUNCTIONING The Needs of High-functioning Autistic Youth in Public Libraries 810 Jennifer Cook Emporia State University The Needs of High-functioning Autistic Youth in Public Libraries High-functioning autistic children have special needs due to impaired capacities to communicate, socialize, and perform many cognitive tasks. Public libraries aim to reach all members of the community, and the numbers of those diagnosed with autism continue to rise. Roughly one in five hundred children is diagnosed with autism is the United States (Seeman, 2003). This group could greatly benefit from the resources and nurturing environment that public libraries strive to provide. Children with autism find many environments and situations distressing. By pinpointing what causes discomfort and what is agreeable to high-functioning autistic children, public libraries could cultivate excellent places of learning and support for these individuals. By interviewing high-functioning autistic children, information can be gathered to guide public libraries towards creating services and spaces for high-functioning autistic children. Explanation of Terms Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD) Autism Spectrum Disorders are any one of a group of pervasive developmental disorders with an onset typically occurring during the preschool years and characterized by varying but often marked difficulties in communication and social interaction (VandenBos, 2007). The group includes Autism, Pervasive Developmental Disorder Not Otherwise Specified (PDD-NOS), Rett Syndrom, Asperger’s Disorder (AD), and Childhood Developmental Disorder. A significant proportion of those with ASD, excluding Asperger’s Disorder, have varying degrees of mental retardation.  Autism Autism is a behavioral syndrome of neurological dysfunction characterized by impaired reciprocal social interactions, impaired verbal and nonverbal communication, impoverished or diminishe