NEW YORK—The sights and sounds of a live baseball game is something baseball fans look forward to—the crack of the bat, the roar of the crowd and the vendor yelling “Hotdogs!” But for some children with autism, the excess noise and bright lights can be too much, leading parents to keep them at home.
“A lot of the kids have sensory issues, so when it is loud, it is overwhelming for them,” said Serena Ahne.
Ahne was one of several volunteers on hand for the 10th annual Autism Awareness Day on Sunday, as the New York Mets teamed up with Autism Speaks to ensure children with autism had a more enjoyable experience at Sunday’s game.
The sound system in the Left Field Landing and Citi Vision was turned down and the right field scoreboard had reduced pulsing special effects. A designated quiet area in the Bullpen Plaza provided a space for those who needed a break.
Autism is a part of a group of disorders known as autism spectrum disorder (ASD). Symptoms usually appear between ages 2–3 and are more likely to affect boys. Children with autism generally have difficulty with social interaction, verbal and nonverbal communication and repetitive behavior.
While autism can severely affect communication skills, some may excel in visual skills, music, math, and art according to Autism Speaks.
“If you have met one kid with autism, you have met one kid with autism. That is how different a lot of these cases are. One kid might have sensory issues and one kid might not. It is really individual, based on the child,” Ahne said.
