Autism Awareness Fair At Ocean County Library Saturday

TOMS RIVER, NJ — Families and caregivers of those with autism are invited to the Autism Awareness Resources Fair at the Ocean County Library.

The program, by the library’s Cultural Awareness Team in partnership with POAC Autism Services, will be held from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Saturday, April 1 at the Toms River branch, 101 Washington St.

The fair will feature children’s activities — including a performance by Mr. Scott the Music Man, balloon artist Debby Pease, library mascot Sparks, arts and crafts and sensory story times. Meet therapy dogs, costumed children’s characters, and Star Wars characters portrayed by members of Vader’s 501st Legion costume group.

Gary Weitzen, executive director of POAC Autism Services, will be the keynote speaker.

Light refreshments will be available. The event is free to the public. Walk-ins are welcome.

Meet representatives from the following organizations:
• 21 Plus, Inc.
• Allaire Community Farm
• Brain Builders
• Caring Family Community Services
• Children’s Specialized Hospital
• Children’s Wellness & Developmental Center
• Disability Allies
• Easterseals New Jersey
• Family Resource Network
• Hinkle, Fingles, Prior & Fischer (Attorneys at Law)
• The Milestones Center, Developmental-Behavioral Pediatrics
• Mosaic Music Therapy
• New Jersey Council on Developmental Disabilities
• New Jersey Division of Vocational Rehabilitation Services
• Ocean County Office for Individuals with Disabilities
• Ocean County Commission on Child Safety and Awareness
• Ocean County Sheriff's Department
• PerformCare
• POAC Autism Services
• The Puzzle Place Center for Autism
• Sensory Playground Pediatric Therapy Center
• Statewide Parent Advocacy Network (SPAN)
• Sunny Days Early Childhood Development Services, Inc.
• Sussan, Greenwald & Wesler (Special Needs Law Firm)

Image by Darryl Leja, National Human Geonome Research Institute