Autism Awareness Month
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Our autism programs are a labor of love by one of our own veteran librarians.
April is Autism Awareness Month. But for one longtime Sacramento Public Library staff member, this holiday happens every month.
Janet Wininger’s son, Ian, was born in 1993. He was diagnosed with autism before he turned 2.
This diagnosis sent her on a journey of discovery, putting her in touch with other local parents of autistic children—including many of the people who would go on to found Sacramento’s famed MIND Institute.
After years of parents asking her what programs the library offered for autistic people, Wininger did what many parents of autistic children have done: She started the programs herself. Wininger trains other library staff about serving autistic patrons, and has also designed the Sacramento Public Library’s autism programs.
Find out what's happening in Citrus Heightsfor free with the latest updates from Patch.
Sensory Storytimes
Three years ago, with help from the Arden-Dimick Friends of the Library, she rolled out our first Sensory Storytimes. These programs:
- Are designed for kids with autism or other sensory disorders, with a developmental age of between 2 and 6 years old who may have difficulty in traditional storytimes.
- Feature songs, stories, sensory activities and interactive materials.
- Offer time for kids to socialize built into the schedule. Behaviors and/or noise are no problem, and siblings are welcome.
Some of our branches offer Sensory Storytimes throughout the year, so please check our searchable events page.
Autism-Friendly Family Flicks
Wininger has also started up a new program. Autism-Friendly Family Flicks are special movie screenings for families with kids on the autism spectrum. She was inspired by a similar program she attended with her son last year at The Century Theater at Greenback. These programs offer:
- A popular kids' film
- GFCF (gluten-free, casein-free) snacks.
- An environment designed for those with sensory issues. The lights will be slightly up and the sound won’t be as loud. Noise and behaviors are never a problem.
Events
View the complete list of Autism Awareness Month events.
For information about any of these events, including what movies will be shown, please contact Janet Wininger at jwininger@saclibrary.org, or call 916-264-2920. All of these events are family/all ages appropriate.
April 5, Saturday, 2 p.m.
Sensory Storytime @ Southgate
Southgate Library
891 Watt Ave.
April 15, Tuesday, 10 a.m.
Autism-Friendly Family Flicks! @ Carmichael
Carmichael Library
5605 Marconi Ave.
April 16, Wednesday, 1 p.m.
Autism-Friendly Family Flicks! @ Elk Grove
Elk Grove Library
8900 Elk Grove Blvd.
April 18, Friday, 10 a.m.
Autism-Friendly Family Flicks! @ Colonial Heights
Colonial Heights Library
4799 Stockton Blvd.
April 19, Saturday, 10 a.m.
Autism-Friendly Family Flicks @ Sylvan Oaks
Sylvan Oaks Library
6700 Auburn Blvd., Citrus Heights
April 19, Saturday, 2 p.m.
Sensory Storytime @ North Natomas
North Natomas Library
Arden Dimick Library
891 Watt Ave.