• By Mia Jordan
  • Posted Tuesday, April 20, 2021

Autism Awareness Month Programs and Recommended Reads

Celebrate Autism Awareness Month with the Forsyth County Public Library.
Autism Awareness Month, which is celebrated in April, focuses on promoting awareness, acceptance, and inclusion of those with autism spectrum disorder in our communities.

Sign up for the Forsyth County Public Library's Sensory-Friendly Newsletter here.

All Forsyth County Public Library programs are free and open to the public.

LIBRARY PROGRAMS FOR CHILDREN:

Storytime: "Benji, the Bad Day and Me" by Sally J. Pla (Virtual)
Thursday, April 1 at 10-10:30 a.m.
Join us for activities designed to improve early literacy and promote acceptance of those with autism. Kristin Toruno of ABC of NC will be visiting to talk about emotions and self-regulation—as well as autism awareness and acceptance. Recommended for children ages 2 - 5 years and their caregivers, but all ages are welcome. This program is a partnership between the Forsyth County Public Library and ABC of NC.
Sign up for Lewisville Branch Library's Virtual Storytimes here.

A Discussion About Autism Awareness and Acceptance Using the Book, "A Boy Called BAT.” (Virtual)
Tuesday, April 20 at 4-5 p.m.
Kristin Toruno of ABC of NC will be reading select chapters from the book, "A Boy Called Bat" by Elana K. Arnold, and leading discussions about autism awareness and acceptance. Recommended for children ages 5-11 and their caregivers, but all ages are welcome. This program is a partnership between the Forsyth County Public Library and ABC of NC.
Register here.

LIBRARY PROGRAM FOR ADULTS:

Tuesdays at Two Book Club (Virtual)
Tuesday, April 6 at 2-3 p.m.
The Tuesday at Two book club meets the first Tuesday of each month at 2 p.m. For April, the club is reading "The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time" by Mark Haddon. This book is about Christopher, a fifteen-year-old boy on the autism spectrum, who decides to investigate the murder of a neighbor's dog and uncovers secret information about his mother. Call 336-703-2940 for more information.

Intro to Autism Class (Virtual)
Monday, April 26 from 5-6 p.m.
ABC of NC staff will present an hour-long live virtual introductory program about autism spectrum disorder. This will include information on what autism is and the various ways it can be expressed. Alongside some general support strategies, they will also go over a list of community resources that are available for those with autism and their families. Co-sponsored by the Lewisville Branch Library and ABC of NC.
Register here.

SUGGESTED READS FOR KIDS:

Find the print copy here.

Find the print copy here.

Find the print copy here.

SUGGESTED READS FOR TEENS:

Find the print copy here.

Find the print copy here.

Find the print copy here.

SUGGESTED READS FOR ADULTS:

Find the print copy here.

Find the print copy here.

Find the print copy here.

COMMUNITY RESOURCES

ABC of NC
ABC of NC is a nonprofit dedicated to providing high-quality, evidence-based diagnostic, therapeutic, and educational services to people with autism spectrum disorder; ensuring service accessibility to individuals from any economic background; offering support and hope to families; and advocating for inclusion and acceptance. ABC of NC is offering parent and professional classes online, but clinic-services and lessons for preschool and most school-age children through the Education Center are being offered on a regular schedule. Please visit their website and Facebook page for up-to-date information about select services being offering.
To sign up for free parent and professional classes from ABC of NC, go here.

Autism Society of North Carolina
The Autism Society of North Carolina offers a variety of resources and events for those with sensory processing differences and their families. Autism Society of North Carolina temporarily closed its office and canceled in-person programs. However, online webinars and virtual meetings are being offered. Please visit their website to find autism-specific resources for families seeking up-to-date information during the current COVID-19 situation.

For more information on the services The Autism Society of North Carolina offers as well as access to their online calendar visit the Autism Society of North Carolina's website.
For information on the local Davie/Forsyth County Chapter of the Autism Society of NC, go to their Facebook Page or email davieforsythchapter@autismsociety-nc.org.
To access "The Spectrum", a free magazine published by The Autism Society of North Carolina, go here or drop by the Forsyth County Public Library.

iCan House
iClub at iCan House is accepting applications from young people, ages 8 to 14, who are interested in expanding their social skills and making new friends. iCan House also offers Real World Connections, a program for teens with the opportunity for both peer-to-peer and mentor-led interactions. This program focuses on communication, flexibility, and real-world life skills among other things. For more information about meeting times or to request an application for either program, please call 336-723-0050 or visit the iCan House website. iCan House is temporarily suspending in-person meetings, visit their Facebook Page to learn more about joining their Virtual Club meetings.

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