Hundreds were on hand this past Saturday, May 17, 2012, for Vista Del Mar Child and Family Services’ — one of the Southland’s leading providers of therapeutic and educational services for youngsters on the autism spectrum or with other special needs — first ever Festival of Families.
The inaugural event featured both traditional carnival fare—games, a rock wall, a Velcro wall, jousting, a petting zoo, and tasty treats—as well as a sensory-friendly area for children with autism and other special needs. Here, in this festival within a festival, kids with special needs enjoyed activities geared to accommodate those with auditory, visual, taste/smell, movement, and touch sensitivities.
Sensory-friendly activities included: making super-sized bubbles with a giant wand; playing dress-up with an array of colorful costumes; having faces whimsically painted; and making arts-and-crafts projects.
Guests also enjoyed musical performances by the Vista Inspire Program’s Miracle Theatre, which is composed of children and teens with autism and other special needs. Many of the youngsters in attendance receive services through one of Vista’s many programs for those with autism, developmental delays, and other special needs.
In addition to the Vista Inspire Program, the center offers services designed to help children develop motor, speech, language, and social skills while simultaneously instilling a sense of inclusion and self-worth through its many programs across 18 campuses. These include the Baron School for Exceptional Children (ages three through nine); Vista Hills Middle and High School; after school enrichment; summer day camp; and parent support groups.
Commenting on the extremely successful event, Vista Del Mar’s President and CEO Elias Lefferman, Ph.D., said, “Kids with special needs—like all youngsters—deserve the opportunity to experience the simple joys of childhood, such as spending an afternoon at a neighborhood festival. That was the purpose of this event, and I think it was a very memorable day for everyone.”
For additional information: http://www.vistadelmar.org
