Autism acceptance festival set for Saturday at Thronateeska Heritage Center
Festival in downtown Albany to provide resources for families on developmental disabilities
By Jennifer Parks
ALBANY — Beckhom Behavioral Consulting is preparing to host its third annual autism acceptance and resource festival, an event sponsored by various businesses and family supporters to educate the community on the impact autism has on individuals, families and the community as a whole while also promoting acceptance and inclusion.
The festival will be Saturday from 10 a.m.-2 p.m. in the plaza outside Thronateeska Heritage Center, located at 100 W. Roosevelt Ave. in downtown Albany.
Some of the families impacted by developmental disabilities may not know about the resources available to them, or may not have updated information as impacted children are transitioning into adulthood, so the festival will serve as a one-stop-shop to get the information to them.
While the event is called an autism acceptance festival, it is geared toward any developmental disability.
“Our primary purpose is to make sure families are aware of the resources available to children and their families in southwest Georgia,” Katrina Beckhom, founder and director of Beckhom Behavioral Consulting, said.
Resource providers and retail vendors are expected to share information about the services they provide, products they sell and provide free training and other resources to the public. The activities available will include a bouncy house, food, music, arts and crafts, giveaways, animals from Chehaw, facepainting, a sidewalk chalk drawing contest and access to Thronateeska exhibits while families access the information they need.
Information on public health resources, Albany Area Primary Health Care, Project Lifesaver, Goodwill, staffing agencies, vocational rehabilitation, Challenger League, behavioral therapy and summer camp will be accessible to families at Saturday’s event.
“A lot of families who have come out (to see information) have been very pleased,” Beckhom said. “As ages change, needs change. The feedback (revolves around) the convenience of coming back to one place.
“People can have fun and bring the family. They can bring them all out and have fun.”
New vendors will participate this year, event coordinators say. The training, retail presence and sidewalk chalk contest will be new additions to Saturday’s festival.
The event is open to the public and is provided especially for families affected by autism spectrum disorders and related developmental disabilities. There is no charge to participate.
“The truth is that anyone from the public would benefit,” Beckhom said.
Beckhom Behavioral Consulting is an applied behavior analysis therapy clinic located in Albany. For more information, call (229) 439-9951 or email info@beckhombehaviorconsulting. The clinic can also be found on Facebook.
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