Danbury to Celebrate Autism Awareness Day with Fun-Filled Evening and Lighting up Arena BLUE!
For the fourth consecutive year, on Thursday, April 2nd, at 6 PM, Danbury will join the Autism Awareness Movement. Families of loved ones in the spectrum, community agencies, activists, the City of Danbury, Danbury Ice Arena - home to the Danbury Hat Tricks, and David Parks (owner of Spin Doctor Entertainment), will come together to light up Danbury Ice Arena blue for Autism and host an awareness focused fun night for all ages.
The sensory-friendly ceremony will count on inspirational speakers, autism advocates, musical performances, a special honor presented to community members who have done work in the area of inclusion, and a "light up blue " a moment in honor of world autism awareness day.
This year's unique feature will be a highly interactive bubble magic show with Jason Gadino, a.k.a. "Jay Jay the Bubble Guy" who will perform a half-hour, one of a kind bubble extravaganza which captures the hearts of all who see it. Performing for youngsters for 25 years, Gadino has extensive experience working with children with special needs. His work has recently been featured on HBO's series High Maintenance and NBC's series New Amsterdam.
Gadino's show is being sponsored by WeCAHR, the Western Connecticut Association for Human Rights, advocating for People with Disabilities and Their Families since 1977.
"Autism directly affects 1 in 59 children, including 1 in 37 boys. My 7-year-old son is one of them. We started our journey down the autism road with early intervention. He was diagnosed at age 2 and has received autism intervention services since and made incredible gains in some areas. That is why raising Autism Spectrum Disorder awareness is so important. Early detection, intervention, acceptance, and understanding can, in the long run, improve the quality of life of all individuals in the spectrum, no matter what age," said Emanuela Palmares, one of the event's organizers.
The new sensory room will be created within the library's children's department on the second floor, with objects and activities designed to stimulate children with special needs. The room will be the first of its kind in a library in Connecticut. To donate visit: https://www.gofundme.com/help-us-furnish-danbur-library039-s-sensory-room
For more information about the event, search for “4th Annual Light Up Danbury Blue for Autism Awareness” on Facebook.