Many families with autistic children need early literacy support, but find current library programs are inaccessible due to a chaotic sensory environment and unwelcoming atmosphere. Our sensory programming directly addresses these barriers, providing a calm, predictable, and fully inclusive space where autistic children can thrive. By making these critical early literacy services truly available, we ensure all families in our community can access the support they need.

In summer 2023, the Early Childhood Department, with support from the Friends of New Orleans Public Library, launched Sensory-Friendly Storytime. This is a smaller, adaptive storytime inclusive of children with learning and sensory differences. Due to its success, we followed up later that year with Sensory Play, a similar adaptive play and exploration program designed to be fun, engaging, and accessible. We have since expanded this initiative by introducing sensory kits at all 15 library locations across New Orleans. These kits include items like noise-canceling headphones, fidget toys, and a calming visual stimulus to support sensory needs and improve library access for neurodivergent children and their families. These efforts ensure our early literacy programming and resources are inclusive and welcoming to everyone in the New Orleans community.

Time and time again, families have expressed how grateful they are for having a safe, welcoming, and engaging place to bring their child where their child’s needs are a priority. In our most recent Sensory Play session, a mother stated that was the first time she has seen her child open up like that. Other families have shown interest in even more programming like this. Since the inception of sensory programming, we have reached over 250 patrons, including families from out-of-state who have returned on multiple occasions. We’ve seen families connect with each other to plan playdates, share resources and services information, and offer support to one another. We’ve not only created an inclusive early literacy space, but also an additional community environment where families can come together and share their experiences with one another.