Our first Autism Expo

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My husband and I went to our first Autism expo today. They had a walk to raise money and then the expo. We missed the walk but we went to all the booths. It was pretty small but still fun. The only annoying part was that there was a guy selling beautiful wooden drums and he kept playing them. It wasn't as bad as artificial boom boom bass but it got a little annoying after awhile. And there were enough booths and a lot of people that there was a lot of sensory input but it was laid out in a way that was not too bad.

I picked up four new stim toys which was awesome. Two squishy ones that light up and two putty balls with faces and yarn hair. The putty balls were free and the squishy toys were $1.00 so that was great. I was playing with them all the time we were there and almost all the way home and then I played a little more with them when I got home!

I also signed up for a weighted blanket donation. There is a cool club that makes them for little kids and then donates them free. You were supposed to sign up if you had an Autistic child aged 10 or under but when I told the lady how much I had wanted one since I had found out about them and that I simply could not afford one she let me sign up to get one. They are small but I am still excited to get it. I have no idea when mine will be ready because they make one at a time in the order that you signed up but just knowing that one is coming is exciting. But I saw how it was made and I am sure that I could easily sew one myself. So I just might make a big one. There were also people selling weighted stuffed animals and they were AWESOME!! !! They were pretty expensive though so I just had to content myself with holding them there!

We also signed up for groups. There are several groups that do activities for adult Autists like bowling and camping and outdoorsy stuff that we love to do so that will be fun. We also signed up for therapy horse back riding. I ride already so that will be great. It's run through a group that uses retired Police Mounty horses as therapy horses. With adult riders you learn to ride in formation groups. They have all ages from little kids around two years old all the way to seniors in their 80's. The riders have all sorts of disabilities and they told us that we can help as volunteers to help the riders or ride or both. And it is only $20.00 to participate so that is really exciting.

But we had a really good time and it was kind of cool to be around other Aspies. I had only met one other adult Aspie in my life and had only spent a few hours skiing with him. We had met on the chairlift while skiing. But that was only for that one day. But it was cool to be able to be around people and talk to them and not be concerned if I started rocking a little or if I did not make complete eye contact or if I did not speak perfectly. Most people assumed I was a parent of an Autistic child because most of the people there were and most of the stuff was geared towards children. But when I told them I was Aspie they welcomed me and found it totally natural that I would like the toys and stuff they had and that felt really good.

And my husband enjoyed himself very much as well. He loved the lego booth and the Star Wars re-enactors. Those were really fun. I got a bunch of Star Wars stickers too.

I also got a tshirt. I was reluctant to get a shirt because I am not one who would parade my Aspieness on a tshirt. And I have no issues with people who do but that is just not my personal style. But this shirt was nice because it was the shirt of the expo so it supports Autism Awareness without blatantly saying "look at the Aspie girl". I also eventually want to get the shirt with the donkey and the two burgers. I love that shirt, it's one of my favorites. Hilarious and kind of subtle in a "you have to be in the in crowd to know what this means" kind of way!

But we had a great day and I am looking forward to the the therapy horse riding and to hanging out with some of these groups.

any photos of the event skibum? sounds awesome.
theres a big one coming up in july here in the UK but it doesnt sound as good as that one and it costs ten pound to get in.

try having a google for disability expos around as there can be some good ones for free, its so easy to get addicted to going to,was exactly the same after attending the IIIC in manchester,UK [a free entry mixed disability expo].

Oh, I am sorry, we did not think to take pictures. If we go to another one we will. But I can't seem to post any pictures on this forum. I would love to post some pics of my new toys. I belong to another forum where I have been able to post pics but I can't seem to do that on this one.

That sounds so fun! And free stuff! Woo hoo! But MOSTLY an opportunity to meet other people who are autistic! [me soon, too, right?]

I'd love to go to something like that. It sounds like you had a great time.