Two years ago …Eve Scheinberg, whose daughter was diagnosed with autism at age 3, contacted New Castle County Councilman David Tackett and asked a simple question.
…how about an autism-friendly playground for children?
On Thursday, on a rainy and windy day, Scheinberg joined New Castle County officials, legislators and members of the autism community …to celebrate the ribbon cutting of his wish: H!GH 5 Park, Delaware’s first inclusive park tailored to the needs of autistic children.
“We are not going to be hiding in the shadows of the community,” Scheinberg said. Though his daughter Delia is now 15 and has aged out of playgrounds, she still said she finds the park to be “awesome.”
Autism spectrum disorder is a broad phrase that refers to a group of developmental disabilities that impact the brain. Kids on the spectrum may have difficulty communicating, interacting and may repeat motor movements. That includes issues playing at a park and could involve careful planning on the part of the parent to make sure their kid is safe.
Scheinberg said, for instance, his daughter was a “runner” when she was younger and could easily escape he and his wife’s sight.
The discussion about the H!GH 5 Park began with just fencing off an area for kids on the spectrum. But in working with parents of kids with autism, a $200,000 state grant and officials like County Executive Thomas P. Gordon over the last year, an eight-zone park was created with specific equipment that can help to improve social interaction, balance, movement and visual stimulation.
…The playground is located behind [the park’s] main pavilion. It is surrounded by a fence, but is open to all kids. Phrases such as “I may not be looking at you, but I still want to be friends,” are on a small statute at the entrance to H!GH 5.
According to Autism Delaware, the number of children in public schools with an autism spectrum disorder has grown from 152 in 2011 to about 1,660 in 2015. Many students are still are undiagnosed, the agency said.
…Marcus Henry, the county’s economic development and policy director and owner of the Brandywine Center for Autism, said the new park is “the best example of what we could do for the community.” Henry, who has a son on the autism spectrum, hopes that the Brandywine Center will bus children to the playground over the summer.
Aspects of the park foster social interaction or give kids the opportunity to have alone time. There are benches stationed at the entrances so parents can mingle and watch their children together.
Here are some of the highlights of H!GH 5 Park and why kids with autism will particularly like them.
REFLECTION SPHERE
A large mirrored sphere is what people see the second they walk in the playground.
The sphere is visually and sensory stimulating, explains Heidi Mizell, Autism Delaware’s resource coordinator.
Children can look at themselves in the mirror or feel it by pushing their cheek up against it. The experience can be calming or stimulating, she explained.
MUSIC
The park also has a zone dedicated to musical instruments such as chimes, drums, xylophone and interactive sound boards.
The instruments encourage kids to work with their hands and learn how to grasp.
They can make music with friends or take time to themselves.
SPINNERS, SQUISHY SURFACES
A yellow path that winds around the perimeter of the park is squishy artificial turf, which can help children learn to maintain balance.
Children with autism may need their vestibular system stimulated. That is the sensory system that coordinates movement with balance, and it’s seated in the ear. With habitual repetitive exercise, the brain can learn to use other senses to help improve activities such as standing, turning and walking.
Spinning may help with balance. Mizell said her son, who has autism, could spin for hours on the tire swings at the park. Therapists also encouraged him to walk on soft surfaces, such as a mattress, to improve balance.
“It’s all about therapy through play,” she said.
There are three stand-up spinners, hammocks and basket swings throughout the playground as well.
FAIRY TALE
There is a fairy tale-themed slide near the main entrance for young kids.
‘PLEASE-TOUCH’ AREA
This zone contains gears and patterns that kids can trace together or on their own.
FIVE-STATION CIRCUIT
This equipment tests a child’s ability to go through a maze and also can help improve strength and flexibility with climbing circuits.
“They don’t know they are working on things,” Mizell said.