treatment of individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorders
After 23 years, Adventureland is saying goodbye to their Hurricane roller coaster. They held a contest called Last Ride for a Cause in which the general public could place a vote by making a donation to one of two local charities – and NSSA was one of them. This donation automatically entered donors to win a seat on the actual last ride of the beloved roller coaster and the top 6 donors per charity were guaranteed a seat on the ride.
NSSA got the most donations and was declared the winner so some of our students, staff and families were there to represent on October 13 at Adventureland, the day of the very last run ever of the Hurricane roller coaster.
Kids and adults waited excitedly to board the coaster…
They board the ride and begin the first ascent….
WHEEEEEEE!!!!!!!
At the end, riders were presented with framed NSSA/Adventureland commemorative prints as a souvenir of their ride.
And NSSA got a generous donation from donors who entered the contest.
Thank you donors, and thank you Adventureland for letting NSSA be part of of your Last Ride for a Cause contest.
Every year The Wheatley School in the East Williston School District does a “Day of Service” during which the students help someone in the community in some way. Teacher Natalia McMillan said that some kids make care packages, some visit the elderly, some do “green” projects, and NSSA was fortunate enough to have some students come to the Barell school to help and learn about children with autism.
The group of girls that joined us yesterday were enthusiastic and friendly and jumped right into activities with Barell students. They got a tour of the school then worked on classroom projects…
and had lunch with our students.
Many thanks to The Wheatley School for being a friend to NSSA and new friends to all our kids!
As part of its outreach to the greater autism community, NSSA hosts A Special Night for Our Special Kids twice a year at Adventureland in Farmingdale, NY.
Many families with a child with autism find the prospect of attending an amusement park on a typical evening extremely daunting. Long lines and crowds can be especially challenging for these families. During NSSA’s events, Adventureland is closed to the general public and made available to people with autism and their friends and families. On these special evenings, the amusement park is at reduced capacity. The shorter waiting times for rides make it much easier for our friends with autism and more manageable for their families. Since the park is filled with people who understand autism, the atmosphere is very relaxed and caring. We hear over and over again that it is only during the NSSA events that many of these families would even consider going to an amusement park as a family.
Our most recent event was Friday, September 26, and it was a perfect night – warm and clear-skied…and as a result it was the most well-attended Adventureland event we’ve ever had!
But even with so many attendees there was still little to no waiting for rides and games.
Families and friends enjoyed time together…
rides….
…arcade games…
and just hanging out.
(not to mention terrorizing the ticket sellers!!!)
Stay tuned for the date of our spring 2015 Adventureland event!