On October 25, the Eagles had the chance to help at One Child Center for Autism’s Kids’ Night, where each month kids, aged 5-18 and with differing developmental needs, have the opportunity to interact with one another as well as the many volunteers that come. As each volunteer arrives, he or she receives a T-shirt before greeting the children as they walk in the front door. Then, the fun begins!
To start off the night, each child gets placed into one of three groups depending on his or her age. Soon, everyone gets the chance to play. One volunteer comments that “Helping out at Kids’ Night is just like being a child again†and this is truly the case. Throughout the night, people enjoy many fun activities including playing on gymnastics equipment, playing soccer, riding on scooters, running around, playing tag, enjoying a video game system, and (of course) eating dinner. Although the event places some volunteers with individual children, many also have the opportunity to help in other ways, such as walking with children throughout the night and ensuring everyone’s safety.
After all the play is done, each child slowly trickles out the door, heading back to his or her loved ones. Before leaving, the volunteers help by cleaning up the center and making sure everything is settled.
Recent research shows that there are many different levels of autism, and the range of children with autism who attend the event is very diverse. However, all the kids benefit in more ways than one from attending. According to Kids First, “Social play plays a crucial role in the growth of children with autism. It helps them develop essential social, communication, and emotional skills that are fundamental for integrating into their community and forming relationships.†Not only is playing good for children with autism socially, but also emotionally and physically.
The school is grateful for all Eagles who helped in making this a successful Saturday night by contributing to the well-being of the community. Are you interested in joining Key Club or helping with future Kids’ Nights? Please contact Ms. Hayden for more information.
Written by Juliana Rohling
Edited by Mathias Munoz Gonzalez and William Zieger
References
The Importance of Social Play for Children with Autism. (2025, August 11). Kids First. Retrieved November 3, 2025, from https://www.kidsfirstservices.com/first-insights/the-importance-of-social-play-for-children-with-autism
Kid’s Night. (2020). One Child Center for Autism. Retrieved November 3, 2025, from https://onechildcenterforautism.org/kidsnight/
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