Picnic brings together parents of autistic children

By Staff Writer

Families who deal with autism on a daily basis recently gathered for a picnic in Pennsylvania.

The annual "sensory picnic" allows parents of children who have an autism spectrum disorder to compare their experiences, the Republican Herald reports. One of the picnic organizers said that the event builds a sense of community for parents who, at times, may feel frustrated or isolated.

"When parents of autistic kids get together, there's often a lot of sharing stories like someone learned how to ask for something or quoted something correctly or wash up on their own," one of the parents told the news provider. "These are like our baseball scores. It may not seem like much, but it's the little accomplishments."

The picnic featured activities geared toward autistic children, as well. Picnic organizers set up interactive stations, such as a tie-dye pattern maker, to help kids improve their motor skills. The event also allowed children to meet and socialize with some of their peers.

A recent report by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reports that an average of one in 110 children in America have autism.