The Aidon Jarid Foundation

Christmas in the Wild at ZooTampa Get ready for a wild holiday adventure at ZooTampa’s Christmas in the Wild! This festive event transforms the zoo into a magical wonderland with light displays, seasonal activities, and holiday cheer. While not specifically sensory-friendly, the open-air setting allows families to enjoy at their own pace. 📅 Dates: Select nights, November 29 - December 23, 2024 📍 Location: ZooTampa at Lowry Park

💜 Rett Syndrome is a rare neurological disorder that primarily affects girls, often appearing in early childhood after a period of typical development. It leads to challenges with communication, motor skills, and breathing, as well as repetitive hand movements that are characteristic of the condition. Despite these challenges, children with Rett Syndrome display incredible resilience and have unique ways of connecting with those around them. While there’s currently no cure, ongoing research offers hope, and therapies like physical and occupational support can improve quality of life. By spreading awareness, we can advocate for more research and resources to support families navigating this journey. 💜 Let’s stand together in understanding and support for those impacted by Rett Syndrome.

💙 Lissencephaly is a rare neurological condition that affects brain development, resulting in a smooth brain surface rather than the typical folds and grooves. Children with lissencephaly often face challenges like developmental delays, seizures, and feeding difficulties, but each child is unique, with their own strengths and abilities. While there’s no cure, supportive care—including therapies, seizure management, and nutritional support—can greatly improve quality of life. By raising awareness and fostering understanding, we can support families navigating this journey and help fund research for better treatments. Together, we can make a difference. 💙 Learn more and find support at organizations like the Lissencephaly Network or the Rare Diseases Clinical Research Network.

Sensory Night at The Wonderland of Lights Celebrate the holidays at Sensory Night at The Wonderland of Lights! This special evening offers a magical display of holiday lights and cheer in an environment designed to accommodate sensory sensitivities. A festive and inclusive experience awaits your family! 📅 Date: December 16, 2024 📍 Location: The Wonderland of Lights, Auburndale

Winter Wonderland: A Free Autism-Friendly Event Experience the magic of the season at Winter Wonderland! This free, autism-friendly event is designed for individuals with autism and their families to enjoy holiday-themed activities in a safe and inclusive space. It's a perfect opportunity to celebrate the holidays in a sensory-friendly environment. 📅 Date: December 13, 2024 ⏰ Time: 4:00 pm - 6:00 pm 📍 Location: Success On The Spectrum Carrollwood, Tampa

🎄 Get into the holiday spirit with a fun and inclusive craft idea that’s perfect for kids of all abilities! Handprint Holiday Keepsakes What you’ll need: Non-toxic, washable paint Construction paper or canvas Brushes or sponges Glitter, stickers, or other embellishments Steps: Help your child paint their hand with a festive color—green for a tree, white for a snowman, or red for a Santa hat. Press their hand firmly onto the paper or canvas to create the base design. Once it dries, decorate together! Add ornaments to the tree, a face to the snowman, or details to Santa’s hat. Optional: Write the year and your child’s name to turn it into a keepsake. This simple activity is sensory-friendly, encourages creativity, and creates a special memory to treasure for years to come. 💙 What are your favorite holiday crafts? Share your ideas and spread the joy!

📚 Celebrate the holiday season with sensory-friendly children’s books that are perfect for little readers who enjoy interactive and engaging stories! These books are designed to captivate kids with textures, sounds, and visuals, making them ideal for children with sensory sensitivities or special needs. 1. That’s Not My Santa… by Fiona Watt A touch-and-feel book featuring textures like Santa’s soft beard and fuzzy hat. Simple text and bold illustrations make it great for young readers. 2. Little Blue Truck’s Christmas by Alice Schertle Follow Little Blue Truck as he delivers Christmas trees to his friends. The lights on the last page glow, adding a magical sensory element. 3. Dream Snow by Eric Carle With its peek-a-boo flaps and a button that plays music, this beautifully illustrated book brings a sensory twist to a snowy Christmas story. 4. Touch and Feel: Hanukkah by Dorling Kindersley Explore the sights and textures of Hanukkah with this touch-and-feel book, perfect for introducing young children to the holiday. 5. Santa’s Noisy House by Sam Taplin This interactive sound book includes festive noises like jingling bells and Santa’s laughter, engaging kids’ auditory senses. These books not only celebrate the holidays but also create moments of connection and joy for children of all abilities. 🎄 Do you have a favorite sensory-friendly holiday book to recommend? Let us know!

Sensory-Friendly YuleTides at The Florida Aquarium Dive into the holiday spirit at Sensory-Friendly YuleTides! This special event at The Florida Aquarium creates a calm and welcoming environment for families to enjoy festive activities, stunning coastal holiday displays, and a sensory-friendly Santa experience. Perfect for children with sensory sensitivities, this event ensures everyone can share in the joy of the season. 📅 Date: December 8, 2024 ⏰ Time: 8:00 am - 9:30 am 📍 Location: The Florida Aquarium

🌍 Today, we honor International Day of Persons with Disabilities, a day dedicated to promoting understanding, inclusion, and respect for the rights and dignity of people with disabilities around the world. This year’s theme focuses on creating a more accessible and inclusive future, ensuring everyone has equal opportunities to participate fully in society. It’s a reminder of the incredible value of diversity and the importance of removing barriers—physical, social, and systemic—that stand in the way. Let’s celebrate the achievements, resilience, and contributions of people with disabilities while continuing the work toward a world where every individual is empowered to shine. 💙 What steps can you take to support inclusion and accessibility today?

🎁 Today is Giving Tuesday—a global day of generosity that reminds us of the power of giving back to make a difference. For families of children with rare diseases or special needs, your support can help provide access to life-changing therapies, educational resources, and inclusive opportunities that empower every child to thrive. Whether it’s through donating to an organization close to your heart, volunteering your time, or spreading awareness, your generosity can change lives in ways you can’t imagine. Together, let’s create a brighter future filled with hope, possibility, and inclusion for all. 💙 How will you give back today?