The First Annual “Toys that Make Sense” Giveaway for 250 families of children with autism will take place on Saturday, April 26, from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m., in the parking lot facing the Crenshaw Metro train station at West Angeles Church of God in Christ, 3600 Crenshaw Blvd., in Los Angeles.
The event is organized in partnership with the Wiley Center for Speech and Language Development and LA County Metro, in honor of Autism Acceptance Month. Families can reserve space at www.SpeakLA.com.
Los Angeles County is home to approximately 49,500 community members with autism identified in the regional center systems. These individuals, many of whom have a keen interest in transportation, often develop a deep appreciation for the county’s transit systems. As they grow, their early fascination with buses and trains can evolve into meaningful career opportunities, such as employment with Metrolink, where their extensive knowledge is highly valued. The Wiley Center is bringing this event to help create “opportunities for individuals and their families—many of whom rely on public transportation to navigate their daily lives.”
Dr. Ashley Wiley Johnson, vice president at the Los Angeles Speech and Language Therapy Center, emphasizes the importance of fostering language development throughout the lifespan. “At the Los Angeles Speech and Language Therapy Center, we are dedicated to fostering language development throughout the entire lifespan. With convenient locations in Culver City, South Los Angeles, Lawndale, and our newest center in Compton located on the campus of Brister Memorial Baptist Church, we are committed to providing quality care and support to our community,” she stated.
Dr. Johnson further highlights the significance of the Compton center, “We are delighted to partner with Brister Memorial Baptist church and Dr. Jawane Hilton, pastor and leader in the community to bring something very special to the city of Compton. Our Compton center stands as a pioneering establishment in the region, serving as a free-standing, autism specialty practice that is the first of its kind. We focus on the unique needs of our youngest to oldest learners and offer a wide range of services including early intervention, a therapeutic preschool program, social skills development, and personalized 1:1 speech therapy.”
The Wiley Center affirms the importance of providing toys that promote communication and sensory development. This initiative is not just a gift; it is an opportunity to foster growth and development in every child. “We believe that communication is a human right. All children deserve access to high quality treatment and materials that support development. The toys that make sense giveaway will spread awareness about the organization and serve the greater community,” Dr. Johnson added.
The goal of this unique event is to celebrate, educate, and provide support to families with autism in the local community. The Wiley Center for Speech and Language Development, a nonprofit organization, is dedicated to providing evidence-based services to children and adults with Autism Spectrum Disorder and other special needs, respecting the significance of cultural diversity among families and valuing the uniqueness of everyone.
The event aims to create memorable experiences for families who rely on public transportation. Activities such as boarding a bus and selecting a meaningful toy are designed to enhance their overall experience with public transit.
