Montgomery Parks will celebrate Autism Acceptance Month with a family friendly event at Wheaton Regional Park on Saturday, April 6.
According to the CDC around 1 in 36 8-year-old children have been diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) in the U.S. and this is an increase from 1 in every 44 children from the previous study.
To recognize the significance of Autism Awareness Month, various agencies from across the county are hosting the “Shine Brighter Together” event at the park. Partners working with Montgomery Parks include Montgomery Park Police Special Operations, Montgomery Recreation, Montgomery County Police Autism/IDD Unit, City of Gaithersburg Parks, Recreation and Culture, AUSOM, Readability, and The Arc Montgomery County.
There will be hands-on, sensory-friendly activities available, as well as the opportunity to learn more about autism and the resources available in Montgomery County.
Activities including sensory-friendly story times, face/hand painters, roving characters, arts and crafts, exercise demos, and performances.
Schedule for Sensory Storytime
11 a.m.-11:15 a.m., Character Meet & Greet
11:20 a.m.-11:40 a.m., The Eagle & The Squirrel by ReadAbility
11:45 a.m.-12 p.m., Character Meet & Greet
12:05 p.m.-12:25 p.m., The Clever Crab by ReadAbility
12:30 p.m.-12:45 p.m., Character Meet & Greet
12:50 p.m.-1:10 p.m., The Rainbow Duckling by ReadAbility
1:15 p.m.-1:30 p.m., Character Meet & Greet
1:35 p.m.-1:55 p.m., The Frightened Ghost by ReadAbility
Fly Pizza Truck and Clayboys Shave Ice will be selling food on site during the event.
Attendees will be able to help decorate Buddy Benches that will remain in select parks. Buddy Benches were created to combat bullying in schools and loneliness. Anyone can signal that they are feeling lonely by sitting at the bench and others will join them for a chat.
Montgomery Park’s Shine Brighter Together: Autism Acceptance Month Event web page online is available with photos of the activities.
The event goes from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Wheaton Regional Park in Silver Spring. It is free and open to the public. The event will be on Saturday, April 6, the rain date is Saturday, April 13.
There will be a sign language interpreter, a sensory retreat tent, wheelchairs, walkers and other adaptive equipment available.
There is plenty of parking at Wheaton Regional Park with an overflow gravel lot. Accessible parking is available in the main parking lot.
