Autism Action Partnership (AAP) (autismaction.org) hosted a celebration of World Autism Day on April 6, at Omaha’s Gene Leahy Mall at the RiverFront, with over 1,500 attendees.
The community celebration included yard games and booths that featured community partners, friends and other champions for autism. Omaha Community Playhouse’s VROOM! Mobile Sensory Theater, Omaha Children’s Museum, Kids on the Block Puppets, Miss Amazing, Douglas County Sheriff’s Office and Omaha Police Department’s Mounted Patrol are among the groups that offered booths with fun activities, and AAP thanks them for their support!
Gotta Be Me’s Heartlight Choir performed on the stage followed by a dance party and karaoke. The Johnson County Central Unified Cheer Squad then put on an amazing show! Rainbow Trout the clown was on-site for face painting and balloon animals, courtesy of UNMC’s Munroe-Meyer Institute. It really was a day to remember!
The event kicked off Autism Acceptance Month (April). Why Autism Acceptance? In recent years, the conversation around autism has shifted from awareness to acceptance. While awareness is important, acceptance is what truly makes a difference in the lives of autistic individuals and their families. Acceptance means creating a world where autistic people are valued, included and supported—not just acknowledged. It’s about moving beyond recognizing autism’s existence to embracing neurodiversity, ensuring meaningful inclusion, and fostering genuine understanding in the community.
Autism Action Partnership is an Omaha, Nebraska-based nonprofit working to fill critical gaps in the state’s autism services. Autism Action Partnership serves the Nebraska autism community through targeted programs that promote support, inclusion and prosperity to improve the quality of life of persons on the Autism Spectrum and their families, thereby enabling them to be an integral part of the community. Learn more at autismaction.org.