St. Croix will be home to its third Neurodiversity Day celebration Saturday. This year’s gathering will be held at the St. Croix Children’s Museum’s new home in Estate Carlton.
Julie Sommer, clinical director of JS Therapies, said the free celebration will be geared toward education, fun and helping people understand more about kids and young adults with autism.
“It’s definitely for any kids with autism or ADHD or anything like that but really open to all kids,” she said.
Sommer said attendees can expect stations set up by an array of local behavioral health service providers and event sponsors. Meghan Crowley, clinical director of Tropical Behavioral Services, said the new location at the Children’s Museum means kids will have new rooms to explore. The Neurodiversity Day celebration will also feature food vans, crafts, games and more.
“This is … really a focus on play,” Sommer said. “Our approach and the Children’s Museum’s mission is all revolving around the power of play — and creative play, for kids to really reach their potential.”
April is National Autism Acceptance Month. World Autism Awareness Day falls on April 2. Crowley said Saturday’s event will have infographics and flyers for people to learn more about neurodiversity.
“So it’s just going to be a great opportunity for them to come check it out,” she said.
Sponsors of this year’s event include the Disability Rights Center of the Virgin Islands, Oasis Therapy Center, Coral Reef Academy, Island Therapies Solutions, Ascension Aerial, Tropical Behavioral Services, JS Therapies, the Caribbean Association for Behaviour Analysis, Golden Ray Studio, First Step Therapy and the St. Croix Children’s Museum.
