Oklahoma Autism Center receives grant, flooded with toys
OKLAHOMA CITY (KFOR) — Christmas came early at the Oklahoma Autism Center, after a new grant supplied them with thousands of dollars worth of toys. Program officials said it is crucial to their teachings.
Mindy Shaw's daughter, Grace, is happy and vocal. Shaw said she wasn't always like this, after enduring years of frustration.
"She is considered non-verbal," said Shaw.
Shaw said early on, doctors noticed Grace wasn't reaching her milestones.
"She didn't really babble. She didn't really point," said Shaw. "She didn't really seem interested in playing."
Only a few months ago, Shaw found the Autism Center, off of Northwest 63rd and Portland.
For 15 years, the center has helped children, like Grace, reach those milestones, like communication and social skills before they're old enough for school.
Early Foundations, at the center, is no cost to families for their child to attend.
The co-director of The Oklahoma Autism Center said an autism diagnosis is not required.
"You just qualify if you're child has a delay," said McBride.
The most important tool at their disposal is play.
"Play and toys, that is the curriculum of early childhood," said McBride.
The Children's Health Foundation, a non-profit, recently announced a gift of more than $14,000 worth of toys to go to Early Foundation preschool programs, for kids with autism.
Three Autism Center sites were flooded with toys.
"Boxes and boxes," said McBride. "A lot of children on the autism spectrum don't naturally play in the same way other children do."
The teachers who use these toys teach their students how to share, pay attention, and imitate.
In just a few months, Grace has made leaps and bounds all through play.
"She can point to what she wants. She's also learned how to sign, " said Shaw. "Those are things that we didn't have any idea that she could do."
"Those are things that we didn't have any idea that she could do," said Shaw.