Tayto Park Announce Special Autism Awareness Weekend
Tayto Park has just announced a special Autism Awareness Weekend taking place on Saturday 5th & Sunday 6th of October to support and raise awareness for autism in Ireland.
Teaming up with AS I AM, Ireland’s national autism charity and advocacy organisation & Irish Guide Dogs for the Blind, Tayto Park will be creating an autism-friendly environment. The main aim of the initiative is to allow parents of children with autism & their families to enjoy all the facilities and attractions available at Tayto Park.
Small changes at Tayto Park will include no music being played, no hand dryers will be turned on and queues for the attractions will be kept to a minimum. For families who require some peace and quiet, Tayto Park has partnered up with Adam and Friends, who specialise in designing and installing bespoke multi-sensory and soft play rooms who will provide a quiet room on site which will be silent and peaceful on the day.
In Preparation:
In preparation for this special day, Tayto Park has created social stories (a visual guide describing the various social interactions, situations, behaviours and skills that they may encounter on the day) which will detail all attractions open on the day and help children with autism break down each social situation into steps that can be fully understood. Further information is available here: http://www.taytopark.ie/events/autism-awareness-weekend
Speaking on the partnership Chairman of the Irish Guide Dogs for the Blind, Patrick Burke said:
"Through our work providing Assistance Dogs to families of children with autism, we are acutely aware of their desire to enjoy greater freedom and mobility. Events like Tayto Park's Autism Weekend go some way to helping to achieve this goal and as one of Tayto Park's Charities of the Year we are especially delighted to be involved."
For more information visit: www.taytopark.ie
