Darkening thunderclouds hovered above the stadium as the opening crack of bat to ball opened Autism Awareness Day at Northeast Delta Dental Stadium in Manchester, NH. The NH Fisher Cats were playing the Richmond Flying Squirrels as families receiving autism therapy services from Applied ABC checked in with staff wearing their grey and navy-blue autism awareness baseball t-shirts.
Just walking up the short flight of stairs to get to the shaded section reserved for families meant a sweat-spotted shirt or a quick break to wipe down a pair of smudged sunglasses. The temperature for the day was 95 degrees and rising, but that didn’t stop families and staff from standing up, cheering, and rooting for the home team.
“It’s a great way to get us out of the house on a Sunday afternoon and meet other families,” said a parent whose child is receiving autism therapy services. “And this scavenger hunt will definitely keep the kids entertained.”
Families were given a brochure detailing what could be expected during the game. The brochures also included a scavenger hunt that gave children a chance to win a prize by observing certain prompts, recognizing when they occurred, and placing a sticker in the brochure once they knew that the action had taken place.
“I have a little one who just got diagnosed,” said a woman who was clutching onto one of the brochures and quickly reading through it. “This is what my family has been looking for.”
Applied ABC sponsored the event for precisely that reason – to spread awareness about ABA therapy and let families know that there are both in-home and in-center treatment options near Manchester, NH.
By the third inning, Applied ABC gave away a baseball signed by the Fisher Cats to one of the families that attended the game. A second signed baseball was given away during the fifth inning, and a third winner was announced through social media.
Although a short drizzle cooled off several fans seated in the open sections of the park, the game continued on, ending in a 19-1 loss for the NH Fisher Cats. Sometimes though, it’s not just about winning; often, attending a ballgame is a great way to connect with the community and spend quality time with loved ones.
Do you have a child that has been diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder and looking for treatment? Fill out our autism therapy assessment form to see if your child is eligible for ABA therapy services with Applied ABC.
