10/03/2026
Long post but worth the read !!
First, thank you to all our amazing families for your donations of items and cash for our sensory boxes so we could bless kids who have autism.
Today we assembled and backed up 180 boxes!!!
Thank you to all our athletes and their moms that were able to join us today to put our sensory boxes together- they worked so hard and we could not have done this without their help! 🩷
Also, a special thank you to Brett Rhea & Mari Rhea ( owners of The Core Sportsplex ) who not only opened the gym at no cost to us but Mari ( who is an SLP ) shared a little about autism with us and they both stayed to help us assemble and pack boxes. This couple truly have a heart for kids and our community and AirBorne is so thankful for all they do.
We got to hear from Vanessa Irving , creator of Chill Out for Tori Foundation- she shared about her daughter who has autism and about her vision for what we can all do to make an impact in the lives of those who have autism.
Lastly, we heard from Payton Yates who is an SLP and she did a wonderful job sharing with us about what autism is and more …. The things she shared were so insightful and helpful that I wanted to post here for you to share with your kids… please read and share ! 🩷💕
“What is autism?
Neurodiversity: our brains are like fingerprints; no two are exactly the same
People can think, learn, communicate, move, and experience the world in lots of different ways
Think about the volleyball team; some people are good at serving, some might have better court awareness, some might be great at setting, some might be super-fast, some might be the team hype girl.
There are different strengths and different challenges, right? But you are all on one team. Our brains work in different ways like that too.
Autism is one part of the natural diversity of how peoples brains work.
Autism spectrum disorder is a developmental difference that can affect how somebody experiences the world, communicates, learns, and interacts with others.
This is on a spectrum because it affects every single person differently!
Some kids can communicate by talking, others have to use pictures, gestures, devices, or a specific number of words. Some people with autism love being around other people while some may need a quieter space.
Some kiddos with autism may be sensitive to things like
- Loud/unexpected noises
- Bright lights
- Certain textures
- Strong smells
- Crowded spaces
- Being touched unexpectedly
- Changes in their everyday routine
Some kiddos enjoy things like movement, pressure, spinning, or touching different textures which are all called sensory experiences.
What might be difficult for a child with autism?
Imagine walking into a gym where
- Theres loud music
- People are yelling/cheering
- Shoes are squeaking
- Bright lights are on
- People are moving super fast
- Somebody is asking you a question
These might all seem like normal things that occur every day in this gym, right? Well for kids with autism those things can feel much more intense and overwhelm them.
Communication can also be difficult, and kiddos may understand way more than they are able to tell you. They might have trouble
- Finding the words they want to say
- Answering questions quickly
- Understanding jokes and sarcasm
- Making eye contact
- Knowing how to join a conversation
- Explaining why something is bothering them
- Asking for help
Kids with autism sometimes communicate through behaviors instead of words
For example: covering their ears, walking away, getting super quiet, or having a meltdown might be there way of saying “this is too much for me right now”.
Okay so imagine that you are trying to receive a volleyball while
- Someone is shouting directly next to you
- Music is playing
- The lights are flashing
- And three people are giving instructions at the exact same time
“Would it be easy to focus on the ball?”
For some kids with autism, normal environments can feel a little like that. We can’t always control the environment, but we can control how we respond to someone who is overwhelmed.
What can we do?
You don’t have to be an autism expert to be kind to this kids!
Here’s a few simple ways to be kind and show them support:
Be patient
Give them extra time to answer you, don’t assume that they are ignoring you
Don’t force communication
We don’t need everybody to make eye contact, talk, shake your hand, or respond in the way that you are used to. It can look different for everybody
A smile, gesture, picture, device, movement, or simply being nearby can all be meaningful in conversation
Give people space
If somebody covers their ears, moves away, or seems like they are super overwhelmed, give them some room!
You don’t need to ask a lot of questions but the kindest thing you can say is “it’s okay, take your time”.
Be aware of sensory overload
If you are in a place where it can be overwhelming we can help by
- Lowering noise if possible
- Moving to a quieter area
- Offering a sensory item
- Giving someone a break
- Speaking calmly
- Avoiding sudden movements
Include don’t pressure
If they don’t want to participate right away instead of pressuring them saying “you have to play” you can try “you can play with us whenever you’re ready!”
Why are we making sensory boxes?
A sensory box can give a child tools they can use to explore, regulate, calm, or engage their altered senses.
The goal is to give a child choices and tools that help them feel more comfortable, not try to “fix” autism.
Some children will find certain textures calming while another kiddo might hate it!
EVERY CHILD IS DIFFERENT
Some examples are:
- Something soft
- Something textured
- Something that can be squeezed
- Something they can manipulate in their hands
- Something that is visually interesting
- Something that provides calming movements
Challenge
As you put together these sensory boxes remember
You aren’t just putting objects into a box
You’re creating a collection of choices for another kid or a friend
You are saying:
“somebody thought about what might help me feel safe, comfortable, and included”
And you guys should be so proud of that! “
Please pray for Vanessa Irving as she continues to bless families thru her foundation. You can follow her on Instagram / chilloutfortori
