For many families, finding a place where their loved ones feel comfortable or seen can be challenging. That’s why the East Baton Rouge Sheriff’s Office hosted their sensory social—a three-day event created specifically for people on the autism spectrum.
“We’re human too,” EBRSO Captain Chad Parker said. We have deputies that work with our office who have sensory children or even adults who are on the spectrum of autism, so, on the strife of that and just wanting to do something for a special group, we just decided to do this. I don’t know if anybody around here does it and it doesn’t matter; we’re willing to do something special for that group.”
Day one was held at Dick’s House of Sport and featured a rock-climbing wall, foam, bubbles, and more to build a diverse, sensory-filled event. The social brought together people on the spectrum of all ages for an evening of connection and acceptance.
“Whatever problems arise, we hope that we’re there to handle that and that they can be in an area of their peers, if you will—you know, people that are similar to them,” Captain Parker said. “And maybe they gain new friends, maybe we gain new friends, right? We all come together, and we just have a good time as a community.”
Families came to the event looking for an atmosphere that would welcome their loved ones and embrace their differences–and that’s exactly what they found.
“I want to have her surrounded by people who don’t judge—people who, if there is an overwhelming situation that she’s upset, we won’t get any type of weird looks and things of that nature, cause she is still a human, even if we’re working on how to process her feelings,” Tiara Smith, a mother of an event attendee said.
This sensory social is not only about accommodating those with autism, but making sure everyone is seen and included, and the sheriff’s office hopes to make this special event a recurring one.