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April 15, 2023

10am - 3pm


The Autism Resources Fair, founded in 2017, is a yearly event aiming to bring state and local resources to our community members.

The Ocean County Library’s goal is to provide resources for all ages, caregivers, and educators through programming, speakers, workshops, and more – all provided by experts in the field.

Keynote Speaker

Paul Aronsohn

New Jersey's Ombudsman for Individuals with Intellectual or

Developmental Disabilities & Their Families

12 pm Bishop Building

Providing support for issues including adult and children’s services, civil rights education, employment, federal and state policies, health and safety, housing, legal matters, public safety, and transportation. The office helps individuals and families through New Jersey’s system of care, seeks input from them for improvements, and ensures that they are represented in policy decisions that affect them. 

 

Paul Aronsohn also serves on the President’s Committee for People with Intellectual Disabilities. He was a member of the Human and Children Services Committee within Governor Phil Murphy’s transition team. 


Professional Development certificate available.

The Fair provides a forum in which families affected by autism can access resources of state, county, and local organizations.

35+ participating groups include medical professionals, therapists, advocates, schools, and other agencies.

List of Participating Agencies



Sensory Space Open Hours

10:00 am - 3:00 pm

While gathering valuable information, visitors at the Ocean County Library’s annual Autism Resources Fair will be able to pause, enjoy the calming and comforting items in the

Toms River Branch's Sensory Space on the second floor.


Balloon Artist Debby Pease

10:00 am - 2:00 pm

Toms River's Children's Department

While gathering valuable information, visitors at the Ocean County Library’s annual Autism Resources Fair will be able to pause, enjoy, and take home samples of the balloon artistry of Debby Pease.


Chair Yoga with Belle

10:00 am - 11:00 am

Bishop Building

Participants in the one-hour session will experience gentle, senses-sharpening stretching and breathing exercises, and will leave with the ability to conduct their routines at home.

 Ages 13+ Please Register

Sibling Get Together

10:00 am OR 12:15 pm

Hometown Dairy

Siblings of children with developmental disabilities will have a chance to mingle in a relaxed, non-therapy setting.

Cultivate new friendships, share ideas about handling tricky situations with their siblings, to validate their feelings, and to feel good about themselves. 

 Ages 7 - 15 Please Register for one session

Sing and Play with Ms. Kat

and SLP Musically

11:00 am Ages 3 - 12

OR 11:45 am Ages 13+

Green Room

All ability levels will have a fun and accessible experience singing and playing along with SLP Musically’s Ms. Kat.

No experience is needed. Play on adapted percussion instruments and sing in all ways, including through switches and other augmentative and alternative communication (AAC) devices. 

Please Register for one session

The Developmental Model of Autism Care for Children, Teens, and Families: The What, Where, How, When, and Why

11:15 am - 12:00 pm

Hometown Dairy

Dr. Susan Smith-Foley will offer an overview of evidence-supported Developmental Relationship-Based Interventions (DRBI) in autism care, including those related to DIR/Floortime. Discussion will touch on differences between DRBI

and the behavioral model known as ABA therapy. 

The workshop will include ample time for questions and answers.

Please Register  

Professional Development certificate available.


Sensory Shaker Bottle

12:00 pm - 2:00 pm

Sparks's Lab Makerspace

Drop in to the Makerspace to make a calming Sensory Shaker Bottle. The program is open to individuals aged 13 and older, with caregivers. Crafting materials will be

available while supplies last. 

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ABA Therapy: An Overview

1:15 pm - 2:00 pm

Hometown Dairy

ABA focuses on improving specific behaviors, such as social skills, communication, & adaptive learning skills, such as fine motor dexterity, hygiene, grooming, & domestic capabilities. ABA is effective for children with psychological disorders including Autism Spectrum. 

Please Register

Professional Development certificate available.






Children's Tabletop Coloring

1:00 pm - 3:00 pm

Green Room

Drop into the Green Room for relaxing tabletop coloring.

Preparing for Emergencies

1:30 pm - 2:15 pm

Bishop Building

Accidents, natural disasters, and tragedies can’t be completely avoided, but knowledgeable planning can mitigate their impacts.


Jamie Arasz Prioli, MS, CRC, ATP, Assistant Director of Disability Services at Ocean County College, will conduct the seminar to help individuals with autism and their families, friends, and caregivers cope with emergencies.  

Please Register

Professional Development certificate available.



Paws for Reading

2:00 pm - 3:00 pm

Toms River's Children's Department

Practice your reading skills in the company of

gentle therapy dogs.

All Ages Please Register

To register for these programs and for more autism related resources visit our website:

www.theoceancountylibrary.org/autism

Sponsored in Part by:

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The Ocean County Library Foundation is a 501(c)3 tax exempt organization established in 2001, to enhance the services and opportunities offered to all Ocean County Library users. We support and believe in the Ocean County Library’s Mission of “Connecting People, Building Community, and Transforming Lives.” The Foundation undertakes a variety of fund-raising and grant writing activities, using our skills at raising both private and public funds to provide support for non-traditional library programs and services not covered by tax dollars or budget. The Library Foundation is committed toward the goal of enhancing all library services, programs, and facilities to foster an appreciation and awareness of the Ocean County Library in the community.

Ocean County Library | theoceancountylibrary.org

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