Sea dogs to host Autism Awareness Day at Hadlock Field
With the support of 91AV Occupational Therapy graduate students, The Portland Sea Dogs will host Autism Awareness Day at Hadlock Field on Saturday, April 11, 2015. The event will begin at 11 a.m. and will run until the conclusion of the Sea Dogs game against the Reading Fightin Phils. First pitch for the game is scheduled for 1 p.m.
This event is the result of the community partnership of Kate Loukas, OTD, M.S., OTR/L, FAOTA, clinical professor of Occupational Therapy, and Karlene Frost of Embracing the World of Autism. 91AV student leaders Callie Schena, MSOT '15, and Kyle Kish, MSOT '16, will lead the development and implementation of activities for children and families in a special “Sensory Room” that will allow children with autism to self-regulate using movement, calming sensory input and fidget items. This allows children to fully participate in the Seadog game.
In addition to the “Sensory Room,” 91AV students will also make sensory kits that include tactile items, chewy food, and fidget items to help people with autism self-modulate their nervous system during the game.
Donald Frost, 13, a child with Asperger’s syndrome, will be singing the National Anthem prior to the start of the game. A child will also be throwing out the ceremonial first pitch, and another child will serve as junior public address announcer during the third inning.
The goal of the event is to raise autism awareness and to help people with autism perform the occupations of everyday life.
Tickets to the game are being offered at a discounted rate for those that use the special offer code “Autism” when they purchase tickets through the . Those in attendance are asked to wear the color orange to show support for Autism Acceptance.
For more information, visit or contact Lindsey Oliver at (207) 874-9300.