Autistic children provide ideas for their ideal playground

By Staff Writer

Organizations are rallying together in Illinois to create a playground that specifically caters to autistic children.

The Little City Foundation is partnering with Discover and KaBOOM! to build a playground based on feedback provided by kids who have an autism spectrum disorder. The layout of the recreation area is expected to take about six hours to finish.

"This playground will be one of the first of its kind in the area serving some of the most vulnerable children in our communities," said Shawn Jeffers, executive director of Little City.

During the early stages of development planning, clinicians and parents communicated with autistic children and fielded their ideas for a "dream playground." The area will include activities that promote healthy sensory stimulation.

Autism can be treated using a variety of methods, including wilderness therapy. Outdoor activities offer more natural stimulants and provide a setting that may be more conducive to intellectual development.

The Centers for Disease Control recently reported that an average of one in 110 children in the U.S. have an autism spectrum disorder.