Hartford, CT: 600 people take part in train ride for autistic kids

Nov 26, 2023, WFSB, Hartford, CT: Specialized holiday train ride designed for children on the autism spectrum https://www.wfsb.com/2023/11/26/specialized-holiday-train-ride-designed-children-autism-spectrum/?outputType=amp

But for those with children on the autism spectrum, sometimes family activities can be challenging if there is too much of a sensory overload.

The Sun, Moon, and Stars Santa Express is a specialized train ride designed for children on the autism spectrum and put on by the Railroad Museum of New England, the Naugatuck railroad, and a Watertown-based non-profit.

It was founded by Christine Faressa, who felt there were not enough sensory-friendly activities for her son and other families with kids on the spectrum….

While not all families on the train have children with autism, for families like the Chase family of Milford, whose seven and five-year-old sons do, this trip means the world.

“We were so excited to do something that is autism specific. We have two kids with autism,

and they love trains and they love Christmas. This is our first one, and this is a chance for us to participate in something. It takes the pressure off knowing that it’s ready to accommodate kids that might need a little more support and just a little bit more grace in the experience,”…

The event had 600 people this year.

It was so successful that this Spring they will hold an Easter ride with the Easter Bunny to greet the kids.