Autism fair in Westbury draws dozens

Joshua Abbas pounded the mallet with enough strength to send the ball to the top and ring the bell.

The seven-year-old Jericho boy, who was diagnosed with Pervasive Developmental Disorder at the age of three, was one of about 200 people who attended the Autism Aware Family Fun Fair on Sunday in Westbury.

His mother, Flor Abbas, said the fair at the Red Robin Country Day School and Camp was a big deal for her son since she couldn’t imagine him attending such an event when he was younger.

“Joshua never enjoyed birthday parties or a fair like this, there was always a lot of crying involved, but look at him now. He is having a great time here,” she said.

Children with PDD share similar traits to those with classic autism. They also have difficulty interacting with others and exhibit repetitive behaviors.

The event was sponsored by the Red Robin Country Cares Foundation, a Westbury-based nonprofit created in 2010 that focuses on raising awareness about autism.

“We wanted to provide a day for children to be children,” said Michael Cohn, foundation president.

Cohn, who is a social worker, helped create the organization with the help of his wife, Kerri, who is a pediatric occupational therapist, and Sheryl Schwartz, a special educator.

“As child care providers, we felt the responsibility to address the increase in the number of children diagnosed with autism,” he said. “We knew we wanted to help and make a difference in some way.”

The Cohns plan to make the fair an annual event. Rich Mallow, walk director for Autism Speaks, was impressed with the fair.

“This is one of the most important days. Michael took a simple idea to raise money for an autism organization and took it so far beyond,” Mallow said. “The large amount of families he is reaching with this fair is great.”

The event offered children a petting zoo, pony rides, bouncy houses, live music, food, face painting and raffles. But there was also a sensory stop for the children.

“The sensory stop gives the kids a space to get away from any noise they don’t like. One of the things we have for them in here is a 20-pound mat that they can lay on their legs which is calming,” Kerri Cohn said. “The sensory stop is a good place to take a break and let the kids recharge their batteries.”

The proceeds from the fair will go to Autism Speaks, Nassau Suffolk Chapter of the Autism Society of America and New York Families for Autistic Children.