Written by: Vi Ibarra
When my son was three, we went to the special needs night offered by the Walnut Festival for the first time. I know the sights and sounds can be overwhelming for some children, but for my sensory-seeking son it doesn't get any better than carnival lights, sounds and spinning rides. When he was three and nearly non-verbal, all the sensory input really got him going and he spent the evening babbling like crazy and "talking" about everything that was going on. That was a very special night for me as it gave me hope and reminded me of the potential that was within my son. Needelss to say, we have been goin to the special needs night each year since then, this being our fifth year.
Our experience this year was so much different than that first year. Now, my son is very verbal. So much so that I have even been known to ask him to just be quiet for a minute! Not only did I see many friends and familar faces as the event, but my son found some of his friends, too. By the end of the night he was part of a little gang of 4 boys who were holding hands and running from one ride to the next.
I hope any families who missed it this year are able to attend next year. I think it is a wonderful program that the Walnut Festival Association offers to families like mine.
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