PORTAGE, Mich. — It was a packed house at Ripple Effects Community Inclusion Center on Tuesday night. The sounds of children's laughter filled the air as families and individuals touched by autism got together in a welcoming atmosphere. It was an environment that's not always guaranteed in other places.
"Sometimes families with children with autism don't always feel welcome at businesses in the community, because their kids might have some challenging behaviors, or the parents are worried about judgment from other parents in the community," said Lauren Cavalli, who founded Ripple Effects and serves as the organization's CEO.
"If you have a child with a special need, or significant challenging behavior, you just end up staying at your house isolated all the time. You don't take your kid to a restaurant because you're worried about judgment or you're worried about unpredictability of your child."
Cavalli said Ripple Effects exists specifically to be a safe space for everyone. People with differences are welcome and the organization strives to accommodate any needs they might have. Tuesday's event was an observance of World Autism Acceptance Day.
"It's one day a year where we celebrate being autistic, and all of the wonderful qualities people with autism have, and how they contribute to the diversity of the world. We are here celebrating those differences and connecting with other families who have children with autism, or adults who are autistic and looking to make connections in the community," Cavalli said.
"The vendors who are here today are autistic or neurodiverse themselves, or they are supportive for the neurodiverse community. The specific businesses that are here cater to these families and children and adults with special needs, just making their businesses welcoming and friendly for everybody."
If you'd like to learn more about Ripple Effects, you can visit their website or follow along with their Facebook page, so you know about upcoming events.
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