Portage organization celebrates ‘World Autism Acceptance Day’ [Video]

PORTAGE, Mich. — It was a packed house at Ripple Effects Community Inclusion Center on Tuesday night. The sounds of children’s laughter filled the air as families and individuals touched by autism got together in a welcoming atmosphere. It was an environment that’s not always guaranteed in other places.

“Sometimes families with children with autism don’t always feel welcome at businesses in the community, because their kids might have some challenging behaviors, or the parents are worried about judgment from other parents in the community,” said Lauren Cavalli, who founded Ripple Effects and serves as the organization’s CEO.

“If you have a child with a special need, or significant challenging behavior, you just end up staying at your house isolated all the time. You don’t take your kid to a restaurant because you’re worried …