LIBRARY MATTERS column

Contributed article
Published: April 3, 2008

April is National Autism Awareness Month, an observation designed to make more Americans aware of the issues and challenges related to this complex disability.  The Autism Society of American reports that the prevalence of autism has risen to one in every 150 American children, and almost one in 94 boys, though others argue that the increase is due to better diagnosis and reporting of the condition.  The American Academy of Pediatrics now recommends that all children be screened for autism at their 18- and 24-month doctor visits.  Below are some of the materials available about this condition, from the Greene County Library.
• The Autistic Spectrum: A Parent’s Guide to Understanding and Helping Your Child
• Could It Be Autism?:  A Parent’s Guide to the First Signs and Next Steps
• Supporting Individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorder in Recreation
The online database Health and Wellness Resource Center gives information about this condition and also provides links to organizations that can provide further resources.  This database is available from the library’s database website: http://www.jmrl.org/on-databases.htm
Call 985-5227 or visit the Greene County Library for further help.