Visual aid helps youngsters to enjoy circus
The circus has made its way to Warrington and a group of youngsters with enhanced needs managed to enjoy the display with the help of a special app.
The event, which took placed at the town’s Victoria Park, offered a thrilling display that was suitable for the whole family. Amongst the banner printing, face painting and clown antics, a new interactive app helped 50 families visiting from the ChAPS organisation (Cheshire Autism Practical Support) and National Autistic Society (NAS) Warrington enjoy the show in a new way.
The app, named Show and Tell, is free to download onto iPads and iPhones, and provides a visual support to children with disabilities who find these types of experiences and environments stressful. It works as a tool that can prepare the children for live events, and has been proven to reduce stress levels.
Heather Wildsmith, the NAS’ cultural development manager, has explained that visual supports can be an extremely valuable tool for those with autism, as it helps them to navigate and become comfortable in situations such as days out.
Neville Wilson, the Circus Starr director, has welcomed the use of these visual aids, saying that it helps his show reach a wider audience of children by providing tangible support prior to the event.
Any extra funds raised by the circus will be donated to Claire House, a local children’s hospice charity.
The event, which took placed at the town’s Victoria Park, offered a thrilling display that was suitable for the whole family. Amongst the banner printing, face painting and clown antics, a new interactive app helped 50 families visiting from the ChAPS organisation (Cheshire Autism Practical Support) and National Autistic Society (NAS) Warrington enjoy the show in a new way.
The app, named Show and Tell, is free to download onto iPads and iPhones, and provides a visual support to children with disabilities who find these types of experiences and environments stressful. It works as a tool that can prepare the children for live events, and has been proven to reduce stress levels.
Heather Wildsmith, the NAS’ cultural development manager, has explained that visual supports can be an extremely valuable tool for those with autism, as it helps them to navigate and become comfortable in situations such as days out.
Neville Wilson, the Circus Starr director, has welcomed the use of these visual aids, saying that it helps his show reach a wider audience of children by providing tangible support prior to the event.
Any extra funds raised by the circus will be donated to Claire House, a local children’s hospice charity.