A Kailua-Kona nonprofit dedicated to empowering Hawaii Island’s keiki who have autism and celebrating neurodiversity is hosting its annual sensory-friendly festival in Hilo for the first time this Saturday.
The Ava Sofia Foundation, also known as Autism Moms of Kona, is striving to support children on the autism spectrum and their families so they can thrive at home while also working to integrate keiki into a community that welcomes them with understanding, acceptance and aloha.
After four years of success and growth in Kona, the Ava Sofia Foundation has planned its first Hilo Sensory Festival.
“We have determined that an organic growth and a threshold of 25 families willing to participate, as well as key individuals to fill roles, were necessary before we could invest in the expansion of our programs and resources,” said founder Jessica McCullum. “Our Sensory Festival is one of the major fundraisers every year, and families in Kona have loved it. The festival has doubled in numbers every year since its inception.”
The Ava Sofia Foundation ensures that each Sensory Festival is fun and welcoming for children of all ages and all abilities, whether they are sensory-sensitive, sensory-seeking or neither.
“During these festivals, parents have come to us in tears of gratitude, because they feel that their child’s disability is celebrated more as a neurodiversity,” McCullum said. “They also feel like they can relax, because we ensure safety and accommodations necessary for typical autism behaviors and for sensory sensitivities to sound or crowds.”
The first Hilo Sensory Festival will be small and manageable with sensory-friendly arts and crafts — lava slime, galaxy playdough and sensory “calm” bottles — which are great for kids who enjoy using their hands. For keiki who prefer to observe rather than participate, there will be stations with things like mini sensory pools, music and bubbles.
While the festival is a great experience for the kids, it also serves as a safe space for parents to come to learn more about autism and ask questions regarding their own experiences.
“The vision statement for the Ava Sofia Foundation is ‘WE are Special Needs’ and we strive to support the families raising a child on the spectrum so that they can thrive in the home,” McCullum said. “Our hopes are to continue to share the journeys of all of our keiki on the autism spectrum within our community, and to expand the resources available to meet the needs of all those who are neurodiverse, thereby empowering people with disabilities.”
The first annual Hilo Sensory Festival will be open to the public from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Saturday at the Hilo Daijingu Hall. Tickets are $5 online and $10 at the door.
For more information about this weekend’s festival, email Anne Jose, the lead event coordinator Hilo chapter, at anne@avasofiafoundation.org. The Ava Sofia Foundation and its programs and resources can be found at autismmomsofkona.com.
Email Kelsey Walling at kwalling@hawaiitribune-herald.com.
