A few months ago I got an email about a local Autism Carnival. It’s been going on for a few years and it’s free! So I signed us up. Then I totally forgot all about it! Until I got an email about it last week! I had no idea what to expect, which is always hard to prepare the kids for the day when even I’m confused, but we went for it! We went to registration and they gave us a packet for each child. This is when I started to understand what our day might be like. Every person there at registration knew just how to talk to my kids, just how to deal with them! Wait, EVERYONE knew how to handle the loudness, the crazy questions, the nervousness, the strangeness. And they were happy and okay with it! They weren’t just putting up with the strangeness they were genuinely loving and kind! They had special VIP shirts for each kid along with a HUGE name tag that said VIP right on it. And that completely describes it. Each child there, not just mine, EVERY child in a purple shirt was on the Spectrum and every one of them was treated like a king/queen that day. I’m getting teary just remembering. Having children than often get mistreated, or looked down on, and instantly judged is hard. I didn’t realize how guarded I approach every situation until I was treated to this amazing day. I was able to relax and just enjoy the day and my kids. I wasn’t constantly looking for the moment I had to step in, the second I had to defend or fix, etc… Moments I didn’t even realized I was constantly tense and waiting for.
They had all sorts of fun sections. The first place we hit up was the Sensory area. Nothing was restricted or stopped. They were allowed to take as much as they wanted, play as long as they wanted. There was extra of everything, plenty and plenty to go around! I LOVE this bubble area, we stayed for awhile but moved on to water, of course! Because of the large name tags every volunteer was able to use each child’s name, which made them feel special and of course made it easier to get their attention as well as find lost children (lots of those with this crowd!) Everyone was so relaxed and calm, not just the volunteers, but us parents too. I wasn’t the only one feeling relief!
They also had a carnival area, a bouncy house area, a fun train, a pony to ride another one to pet… face painting, prizes, drawings, and sponsors and booths! The sponsors weren’t really there for the kids, but for me it was fascinating. I collected lots of flyers of businesses and games and support groups all for Autism. Even our Charter school was there with a booth! I’m still so new to the diagnosis as well as to this area. So I want to learn what and where to be involved and also anything else that might help the kids or me as the parent be more successful. All in all it was a GREAT day, a safe day. I only wish it was longer! We will definitely be heading back every year!
This is the best! What a blast!
The kids look so cute!
Thank you for leaving such sweet comments on my links
Big hugs
Frenchy
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Ashlee Reply:
October 2nd, 2010 at 9:48 pm
It was fun! The kids had a great time, and it was such a relief for me to have a day with no pressure.
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Looks like a lot of fun! Just stopped over from blog frog. Have a great week!
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Ashlee Reply:
October 3rd, 2010 at 2:40 pm
It was fun! There need to be more days like that, where we can all feel safe and relax and just have fun!
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That has to be wonderful to be in a place where everyone understands and is accepting. They should have more events like that.
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Ashlee Reply:
October 3rd, 2010 at 11:24 pm
It is! And it was! I agree, they should have a lot more events like it!
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