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Picnic for Kids with Autism Gives Grandparents a Way to Help

By Heather Cherone | September 2, 2014 4:42am
  The picnic hosted by Grandparents United for Autism will take place from noon to 4 p.m. Sept. 8.
Picnic for Children with Autism Promises Judgment-Free Zone
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SAUGANASH — Grandparents United for Autism will host its fifth annual picnic from noon-4 p.m. Sunday at LaBagh Woods in Sauganash. 

The picnic will be much like any other summer party, with a bounce house, ice cream, popcorn, a bubble table, face painting and and a visit from a fire truck. But organizers promise an autism-friendly environment, with no judgments for meltdowns, hand flapping, outbursts, rocking and other common behavior from those on the autism spectrum.

"We're expecting more people than ever," said Fran Durkin, one of the organizers. "It has been so great to see it grow."

Heather Cherone says the event brings many generations together for a common cause:

The picnic in Grove 1 near Foster and Cicero avenues will also celebrate National Grandparents Day. The Chicago-area chapter of Autism Speaks helps organize the event.

Grandparents United for Autism was founded eight years ago, after organizers discovered that there was very little available to help grandparents struggling to cope with and understand their grandkids' diagnosis of autism.

"It is a nice intergenerational picnic," Durkin said.

While giving their adult children a break — and their grandchildren a fun afternoon — the picnic also gives the grandparents a chance to meet others facing the same challenges, organizers said.

Registrations are requested by Friday. For more information, email chicago@autismspeaks.org or call 224-567-8573.

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