About 1 in 36 children in the United States is diagnosed with an autism spectrum disorder, based on CDC data from 2020. And studies show that nearly 95% of individuals with an autism spectrum disorder experience sensory processing differences, which can manifest across a wide variety of experiences and challenges. Early intervention and support have been shown to provide the best opportunity for continued healthy development, learning, communication, and social skills.
Our Autism Awareness Sensory Donation program brings your group together to assemble wonderful sensory support kits for donation to autism therapy programs and non-profit organizations. It also enhances awareness of this disorder’s effects, behaviors, and challenges through engaging sensory activities. Your group will leave this program with a greater understanding of autism.
The program begins with a fun, sensory-focused icebreaker that will have your group tapping into all your sensory systems to ready themselves for the rewarding experience ahead.
Teams will engage in a series of sensory activities and challenges to earn visits to the care kit store to find items for inclusion in the sensory packs. Participants may be challenged to work as a team to identify objects with one or more senses limited, identify minimally stimulating materials and colors, or engage in ASD-beneficial sensory play activities.
Each team will assemble 2 robust sensory kits with the materials they collect from completing the engaging sensory activities. Items in the kit can include sensory play toys, weighted lap pads, noise-canceling headphones, daily activity charts, and communication queue cards that will support and enhance the day-to-day routine of children with an autism spectrum disorder.
At the conclusion of the program, these sensory kits will be donated to schools and non-profit agencies to benefit young children and students of varying ages with autism spectrum disorders. Whenever possible, a representative from the organization receiving your group’s donation will attend the event to share more information about their work and how your group’s donation will benefit the individuals they support.
