Autism Connection of Pennsylvania will be a participating organization for the 2023 Highmark Walk. If you would like to sign up and support Autism Connection, check out the event information listed below. We hope to see you there!
When:
Saturday, May 13, 2023
Where:
Acrisure Stadium – 100 Art Rooney Ave, Pittsburgh, PA 15212
Plaza at Gate A
Important Times: 7:45am – Check-in and registration 9:00am – 5K Walk 9:15am – 1 Mile Walk
Other Information:
Raise or donate $30 and you will receive a T-shirt while supplies last
You will receive one raffle ticket for every $50 that you raise or donate
Refreshments and entertainment
All routes are accesible for wheelchairs, electric scooters, strollers, etc.
Join expert Miniature Railroad educators on a special behind-the-scenes tour through one of the Carnegie Science Center’s most popular exhibits! All tours will occur outside of regular museum hours. Designed for visitors with sensory sensitivities and/or other disabilities, these tours are personalized and free of crowds and loud noises. Each tour date has a very limited number of spots available, to maintain a welcoming, low-stimuli environment.
Tickets for this opportunity are free, regardless of Membership status, but require advance reservations for all members of your party. This is an all-ages appropriate event. General admission to the museum is not included, but can be purchased separately for the Tours that occur before museum open. To register, please use the buttons below, call 412-237-3400 or email [email protected]
One day a week I take myself to the office, the rest of the week I work remotely. The fluorescent lights in the office are not kind, and it takes me an hour to de-escalate myself once I get home. Sensory overload is real and it is hard. I wasn’t always aware of my sensory needs, and I still struggle with coping, but my son taught me how to identify obstacles in the environment. They were always there, and sensory overload affected me, but I am a product of the 80’s and 90’s growing up, and we certainly didn’t talk about sensory needs. You just dealt with it, or didn’t, but regardless you did it quietly.
Fast forward to having a child who was diagnosed with autism.
As a parent of a child on the spectrum, I had a large learning curve and I needed to maneuver it quickly. One day he didn’t have autism, and the next he did. Now I know, autism was always a part of him, this is what I mean by learning curve. In the beginning, I was circumventing the curve by doing everything others told me I needed to do to “cure the autism”. The focus was on changing him, not on creating a space where he could thrive. If he wasn’t in therapy or working on targeted skills, we were wasting precious time to “fix” him. False. False. False.
Let me stop here and replace cure with cope and also say that speech, occupational, physical therapy, and skill building can happen in all the places all time. Children need space to be children and their adults need space to just be supportive adults. And while we’re replacing words in our vocabulary, let’s replace compliance with cooperation. But we can talk more about compliance vs cooperation in a future blog.
We have so much to learn from people, especially children. Once I began focusing on coping, rather than fixing, everything changed. When I learned to listen to what my son was communicating but wasn’t verbally saying, everything changed. My son changed my entire view moving forward and made me realize I needed to reflect inward. The space I was trying to create for him to thrive, I learned, I also wanted. I didn’t want to just “get through it” anymore.
Actively listening to my son smashed my rose colored glasses and showed me the beautiful world of diversity and inclusion. I learned how to identify and advocate for what I needed to be comfortable. I learned that asking questions and genuinely wanting to get to know about people and what is important to and for them, helps us all grow and create safe spaces. I learned that as I’ve shared how I feel or what I’ve experienced, many others say “me too!”, which creates a welcoming environment to share what is in their hearts and in their minds. I learned to meet people where they are. Even though I’m much older than my son, it’s been a life changing experience to learn together that neither of us needed fixing.
This is a reminder to let the children lead us and teach us.
A sensory-friendly room can be a crucial step toward providing comfort and relaxation for people with sensory sensitivities. However, the idea of taking on this task may seem overwhelming because of the high costs associated with it. Recently, Autism Connection of Pennsylvania visited our friends at Three Rivers Community Care, where CEO, Allison Broaddrick, demonstrated that many of the elements found in our region’s large, sensory-friendly spaces can be replicated on a smaller, more affordable scale. Examining larger projects in the Pittsburgh area is a source of inspiration.
Examples of Sensory-Friendly Areas
Autism Connection of Pennsylvania has seen innovative examples of areas that help people with sensory sensitivities since the Pittsburgh Cultural Trust broughtsensory-friendly performancesto our region back in 2013. One of the most outstanding endeavors is the sensory-friendly area at the Pittsburgh International Airport,Presley’s Place. This project motivated The Honorable Jennifer McCrady to initiate sensory friendly areas in theFamily Division of the Allegheny County Courthouse.
Sensory-Friendly Area Presley’s Place at the Pittsburgh International Airport
Photo of sensory room in the Family Division of the Allegheny County Courthouse
Audience enjoying a sensory-friendly performance
Affordable Sensory-Friendly Rooms
First, a quick congratulations to Allison Broaddrick, for making the list of30 Under 30in the Pittsburgh Business Times. Her ingenuity and knack for problem-solving are among her greatest assets, and her use of inexpensive materials in creating a calming area atThree Rivers Community Careis a great model. The process began with addressing the specific needs that her friends, clients and associates expressed. From there, the team began putting ideas into motion.
Sound and light unit found online for less than $20
String lights with color change option, floor mattress and pillows
Comfortable chair, weighted blanket, fidget toys in drawers
Cover for florescent lights
Quick Tips for Inexpensive Sensory-Friendly Spaces
Choose the right color scheme: Soft pastels or muted shades of blue, green or lavender can help to create a calming atmosphere.
Manage lighting: Lighting can play a significant role in sensory experiences. Use soft lighting to create a relaxing environment. Avoid bright or fluorescent and flashing lights. Consider using dimmer switches or lampshades to help control the level of light.
Provide comfortable seating: Choose a comfortable chair or couch with soft, supportive cushions.
Incorporate soft textures: Use soft blankets, pillows, and plush toys to create a sensory-friendly atmosphere that is still texturally interesting.
Use soundproofing materials: Soundproofing materials can help to reduce outside noise, creating a quiet environment. Use foam panels or curtains to absorb sound.
Implement what works for for the person as an individual: Taking the lead from those who will benefit from the space is a critical first step. Look for elements that resonate with personally; it can be a favorite toy, activity, or sound.
Begin With The End In Mind
We can’t stress enough how very important it is to begin by listening to people who experience overwhelming sensory processing experiences. In each successful endeavor, people with lived expertise took active roles in the planning and development, and each project adjusts to feedback from different perspectives. The partnership between the Pittsburgh International Airport and Hayes Design Group Architects is a prime example because this collaboration began by bringing people who have sensory processing differences, autism, post-traumatic stress, and anxiety to the planning and development table at its inception.
Autism Connection of Pennsylvania continues to collaborate with the community in creating environments that are inclusive and accessible. Current projects include Accessibility in the Arts and theFrick Environmental Center Sensory Classroom. Time and time again, we find that many ideas are remarkably simple and can be inexpensive to replicate if we listen carefully and respond by bringing ideas to life.
On Saturday, April 29, 2023, our friends at A Magical Fundraiser are hosting 13th Hour Entertainment and Autism Connection of PA for a casual night out at the Tonidale Pub in Robinson Township. A Magical Connectionis a fun, high-sensory event that benefits the region’s autism community.
This event features:
Dinner
Mindwarp Show featuring Mentalist/Magician Steve Haberman with the vocal talents of Tracy Lynn
Disc Jockey and Dancing by Nite Life DJz
Basket Raffle and 50/50 drawing
Autism Connection of Pennsylvania spoke with the talented Tracy Lynn and the amazing Steve Haberman.
Autism Connection (AC): You’re involved in many different endeavors. Can you share about 13 Hour Entertainment, A Magical Fundraiser, the Mindwarp show, and your partnership?
Tracy and Steve (TS): 13th Hour Entertainment Inc. is a company specializing in family and corporate entertainment.We have combined withMagic Wand Princess Parties, Nite Life DJzand other entertainers to provideA Magical Fundraiserto help organizations that have fundraising needs. We provide the entertainment for these functions along with advice on how to make fundraising events successful. From years of working at these events, we have learned a lot about how the organization can maximize their efforts and money generated. Over the years we have worked with schools, fraternal organizations, companies, and other charitable organizations. Our Mind Warp Show is one of the most popular entertainment options for this type of event. It combines magic, comedy, and music into one show that appeals to all audiences.
AC: How did you become involved with A Magical Connection Fundraiser for Autism Connection?
TS: We have a lot of friends and family who have children or relatives that are on the spectrum. We have been wanting to do a fundraiser for a few years now to benefit autism awareness, because we think it is important for families to know the support that is there for them and truly feel accepted. With the pandemic, our plans were put on hold. We have a very close friend who has autism that guided us to the Autism Connection of PA, and we couldn’t be happier to be working with this foundation.
Tracy Lynn and Steve Haberman
AC: Do you have any outstanding experiences with people on the autism spectrum as a performer/artist?
TS: Many entertainers that work with 13th Hour Entertainment have performed for people on the autism spectrum. Magician Steve Haberman in particular, performs at numerous schools throughout Pennsylvania, Ohio and West Virginia for school assemblies and there are normally kids at these events who have a range of disabilities, autism, and hidden differences. He has performed for children with special needs in smaller groups and birthday parties as well. Steve also provided magical entertainment for a convention at Pittsburgh’s David Lawrence Convention Center for an autism conference. During this conference, Steve performed multiple magic shows throughout the day for the kids while parents attended various meetings and lectures. It is our great pleasure to work with the Autism Connection of PA on a fundraiser for this very important cause.
Support for Autism Connection of PA directly impacts people of all ages facing many challenges related to autism. Contributions raised will fund: help for families seeking resources, development of inclusive, sensory friendly areas across Pennsylvania, first responder training, virtual and in-person workshops, school homeroom and assembly talks about hidden differences, educator and administrative training, justice system reform, and so much more.
The official registration and financial information of Autism Connection of PA may be obtained form the PA Department of State by calling 1-800-732-0999. Registration does not imply endorsement
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