Autism Live and We Rock the Spectrum Kid’s Gym Host 3rd Annual Sensitive Santa Holiday Event
TARZANA, Calif. (PRWEB) November 30, 2017 -- Autism Live and We Rock the Spectrum Kid’s Gym have partnered again this holiday season to host a special event for children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). Children who attend the Autism Live Sensitive Santaevent will meet Santa, have their photos taken, and receive a wrapped toy, while also getting the opportunity to explore a uniquely ASD-friendly gym equipment. Autism Live’s Sensitive Santa will be held Saturday, December 2 from 9am-3:30pm at We Rock the Spectrum Kid’s Gym, located at 5520 Crebs Ave., Tarzana, CA 91356. The event is free with registration at https://autismsensitivesanta2017.eventbrite.com.
Spending time with Santa can be difficult for children with ASD and their families, and this event seeks to give families an opportunity to have fun in an environment specifically designed to meet the needs of their children.
“The holidays are often especially challenging for children affected by autism and their families, and we wanted to create an event that makes the visit with Santa and his helpers a fun-filled, stress-free occasion,” said Shannon Penrod, host of Autism Live, one of the event sponsors.At Autism Live’s Sensitive Santa event, Santa and his helpers have experience interacting with children with ASD and know behavioral techniques to help children enjoy their visit. Instead of waiting in line, the children play in the sensory gym, which facilitates a successful Santa visit for the whole family.
"This is one of our favorite days of the year,” says We Rock the Spectrum Founder and CEO Dina Kimmel. “The kids light up the second they see Santa. The parents feel comfort knowing their children are in a safe and accepting environment. We are so proud to host something so magical with our friends at Autism Live.”
The high-quality toys each attendee will receive arefeatured inAutism Live’s Top Toy & Gift Guide 2017. The award-winning toys featured in the guide were chosen because they are fun and help build important skills. Toys featured in the guide and at Autism Live’s Sensitive Santa event come from toymakers such as Think Fun, Endless Games, Imperial Toys, Fisher-Price, Lux Blox, Yoee Baby, Play Visions, Infantino, Smart Felt Toys, Zuru, Uncle Milton, and Fat Brain Toys.
“The reality is that many children on the autism spectrum don’t know how to play, so they don’t enjoy playing,” said Penrod. “A great toy and the right level of guidance can help a child grow and have fun!”
Autism Care and Treatment Today! and My Brother Rocks the Spectrum Foundation were involved in creating the event, along with support from the Center for Autism and Related Disorders (CARD) and Skills® for Autism.
Approximately one in 68 children has been diagnosed with ASD in the United States according to estimates from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). ASD is a developmental disability that can cause significant social, communication, and behavioral challenges.
About Autism Live
Autism Live is an interactive web show providing support, resources, information, facts, entertainment and inspiration to parents, teachers and practitioners working with children on the autism spectrum. For more information, visit http://www.autism-live.com.
About We Rock the Spectrum Kid’s Gym
We Rock the Spectrum Kid’s Gym is committed to providing a safe, nurturing and fun environment to foster learning, exploration and safe sensory experiences. Through its nonprofit My Brother Rocks the Spectrum Foundation, social skills groups and activities for children across the spectrum are also available. We Rock the Spectrum Kid’s Gym provides children with a fun and motivational environment to help them in the areas of strength, movement, sensory processing, communication, positive behavior modification, social interactions and self-care skills. Our unique equipment assists all children in their neurological growth and development. For more information, visit http://www.werockthespectrumkidsgym.com.
About Center for Autism and Related Disorders (CARD)
CARD treats individuals of all ages who are diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) at treatment centers around the globe. CARD was founded in 1990 by leading autism expert and clinical psychologist Doreen Granpeesheh, PhD, BCBA-D. CARD treats individuals with ASD using the principles of applied behavior analysis (ABA), which is empirically proven to be the most effective method for treating individuals with ASD and recommended by the American Academy of Pediatrics and the US Surgeon General. CARD has over 170 locations throughout the United States and internationally. For more information, visit http://www.centerforautism.com.
Autism Care and Treatment Today! is a national nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization whose mission is to raise awareness and provide treatment services and support to families to help their children with autism achieve their full potential. Their goal is to introduce and help facilitate early and on-going treatment by providing the necessary resources (including referrals, funding and guidance) to individuals with autism and their families. Studies demonstrate that early and intense intervention is important when treating individuals with autism, yet sadly very few of the effective treatments are covered by medical insurance and families are often delegated to piece together a treatment program for their child via multiple funding sources. Often, the child with autism must go without vital interventions due to financial restraints. ACT Today! strives to provide necessary services so that each child with autism can reach his or her highest potential.
http://www.act-today.org
MEDIA CONTACTS:
Austin LaRoche
Phone: 404-247-0558
Email: Austin(at)atakinteractive(dot)com
Shannon Penrod
Phone: 661.373.1862
Email: s.penrod(at)autism-live(dot)com
Ryan Cruz, Center for Autism and Related Disorders, http://centerforautism.com, +1 (818) 345-2345 Ext: 1117, [email protected]
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