Behavioral Support Partnership

01/08/2026

📅 January 2026 — OC Events Supporting Autism, Development & Neurodiversity

🟧 January 9 — Way to Play Day
📍 Pretend City Children’s Museum, Irvine
🕙 10:00 am – 1:00 pm
A family-friendly event with free developmental screenings and play opportunities for young children.
🔗 https://www.pretendcity.org/event

🟧 January 10 — Vision Day & STEM Up to the Challenge
📍 Pretend City Children’s Museum, Irvine
🕚 11:00 am – 4:00 pm
Sensory activities and hands-on challenges designed for kids — great for sensory exploration and engagement.
🔗 https://www.pretendcity.org/event

🟧 January 13 — Neurodivergent Family Night
📍 Pretend City Children’s Museum, Irvine
🕔 5:00 pm – 7:00 pm
A free, sensory-friendly evening where neurodiverse children and their families can enjoy the museum together in a welcoming, supportive environment. 
🔗 https://www.pretendcity.org/event

🟧 January 14–17 — 27th International Conference on Autism, Intellectual Disability & Developmental Disabilities
📍 The Westin Long Beach
Held annually, this professional conference offers workshops, research presentations, and discussions focused on autism, intellectual disabilities, and developmental disabilities. 
🔗 https://daddcec.com/events/27th-international-conference-autism-intellectual-disability-developmental-disabilities

🟧 January 22 — Neurodivergent Family Night
📍 Pretend City Children’s Museum, Irvine
🕔 5:00 pm – 7:00 pm
Another sensory-inclusive family night — perfect for connection and play in a calm, supportive setting.
🔗 https://www.pretendcity.org/event

🟧 January 23 — Food as Medicine with Rady Children’s Health
📍 Pretend City Children’s Museum, Irvine
🕚 11:00 am – 12:00 pm
Interactive activity focused on seasonal, nourishing foods for kids and families.
🔗 https://www.pretendcity.org/event

12/22/2025

Made some snow dough for social skills

-Baking soda+Conditioner

Great for tactile and olfactory sensory

12/04/2025

🌟 Support & Community Events for Autism in Orange County 🌟

✅ Autism Speaks Orange County Empower Walk & 5K Run — unite for inclusion and support!
📅 Date: November 1, 2025
📍 Location: Oak Canyon Park, Silverado (5305 Santiago Canyon Rd)
🔗 https://www.autismspeaks.org/events/2025-orange-county-empower-walk-5k-run 

✅ Children’s Hospital of Orange County (CHOC) – Autism Moms Connect — a welcoming support group for moms of children with autism.
📅 Next meeting: December 19, 2025, 10:00 AM–12:00 PM (also regularly scheduled)
📍 Thompson Autism & Neurodevelopmental Center, 170 S. Main St., Orange, CA 92868
🔗 https://choc.org/programs-services/autism-neurodevelopmental/events-calendar/ 

✅ OC Autism Foundation – 16th Annual Breakfast With Santa & Resource Fair — a full-inclusion holiday event for families with autism & other disabilities. Free tickets (limited) — early registration recommended.
🔗 https://www.ocautismfoundation.org/ 

✅ Orange County Asperger’s Support Group (OCASG) — ongoing social, educational, and support programs for individuals with autism / high-functioning autism, teens and adults, including social-skills groups, “friends & fun” activities, and creative/arts-based workshops.
🔗 https://ocaspergers.org/ 

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📣 Let’s build community, spread awareness & support each other. If you know of more inclusive events in OC, share below 👇

11/08/2025

📣 November Activity Round-Up for Autism & Developmental Disability Inclusive Events in Orange County
Brought to you by BSP Social Skills Program

Looking for community events and inclusive activities this November in Orange County? Here are some great options for individuals with autism, developmental differences and their families/caregivers. All listed are welcoming of neurodiversity, and we encourage you to check each organization’s website for registration details, accommodations, updates or schedule changes.

🔹 Down Syndrome Association of Orange County (DSAOC) – “Buddy Walk” Sunday Nov 2 at Oak Canyon Private Park. Families of individuals with Down syndrome can join for a walk, connection and community. Website: https://www.dsaoc.org/ 
🔹 YMCA of Orange County – New Horizons Program (ages 18+) – Provides social outings, skill-building activities and community integration for adults with developmental disabilities. November calendar available. Location: Tustin, CA. Website: https://ymcaoc.org/new-horizons/ 
🔹 Discovery Cube Orange County – Sensory Friendly Mornings (third Sunday of each month from 8 am-10 am) at 2500 N Main St., Santa Ana. Quiet hours, reduced sensory load, one free aide admission. Website: https://www.discoverycube.org/sensory-friendly-mornings/ 
🔹 Pretend City Children’s Museum – Neurodivergent/Autism-Friendly Family Nights (2nd Tuesday & 4th Thursday after regular hours) in Irvine. Website: https://www.pretendcity.org/neurodivergent-family-night-2/ 
🔹 The Arc Los Angeles & Orange Counties – While their “Swing for Abilities” golf tournament is Nov 7, they also provide ongoing programs for adults with intellectual & developmental disabilities across OC. Website: https://www.thearclaoc.org/ 

👍 Tip: We (BSP) recommend letting your participant bring any sensory supports they use (headphones, fidget, comfort item), arriving early to acclimate, and checking ahead for any registration or accommodation requirements.

🗓 Let’s stay connected, build community, and explore inclusive opportunities together!

The Arc Los Angeles and Orange Counties advocates and provides services for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities and actively supports their full inclusion and participation in all aspects of the community through programs and services. The Arc LAOC promotes the principles of...

10/24/2025

10/24/2025

This holiday season, Pretend City Children’s Museum invites your family to celebrate warmth, wonder, and festive traditions! From twinkling lights to cheerful music, joy fills every corner for you to explore together. 💫

11/2 Celebrate the history, culture, and contributions of Indigenous American communities through hands-on activities, performance and storytelling with Jacque Nunez.

12/1 Kick off the holiday season with our enchanting Tree Lighting Ceremony at Pretend City! Join us as we welcome winter with festive cheer, cookies, and hot cocoa—served alongside a special visit from Santa! Don’t miss this wonderful opportunity to create cherished memories with family and friends as we celebrate the magic of the holidays in the city!
🕖11 am ONLY

12/17 Celebrate the magic of Las Posadas with us at Pretend City! Las Posadas is a special celebration that takes place in Mexico and other Latin American countries during the days leading up to Christmas.
🕖11 am & 2:30 pm

12/20 Kwanzaa is a week-long celebration honoring African heritage and culture, observed from December 26 to January 1. Each day focuses on one of the seven principles: unity, self-determination, collective work and responsibility, cooperative economics, purpose, creativity, and faith. 🖤💚❤️
🕖11 am & 2:30 pm

12/21 Join us for a day filled with laughter, joy, and the warmth of the holiday season. Let’s make this Winter Solstice/Christmas Celebration a memorable one for you and your family!
🕖11 am & 2:30 pm

12/22 Stories & Cookies with Mrs. Claus!
🕖11 am & 2:30 pm

12/31 It’s Midnight Somewhere 5..4..3..2..1.. HAPPY NOON YEAR! Join us for our annual New Year’s Celebration in the middle of the day!
🕖Pretend City is open 10 am -3 pm ONLY

These and more holiday events are sure to sell out, so don’t wait! Book your tickets online now and make this holiday season unforgettable for your little ones. 🤩

10/16/2025

🎃👻 Get ready for a spooktacular night in Costa Mesa! 👻🎃

Join us for the 3rd Annual Haunted Halloween Trunk or Treat — hosted by the Costa Mesa Goat Hill Lions Club and the Costa Mesa Women’s Club!

🗓 Date: October 25th
🕓 Time: 4:30 PM – 7:30 PM
📍 Location: Costa Mesa Women’s Club
610 W 18th St, Costa Mesa

Bring your friends, family, and costumes for an evening full of laughs, candy, tricks, and treats! 🎃🍬
Don’t miss this fun community event — perfect for all ages!

10/09/2025

🌈✨ OCTOBER IN ORANGE COUNTY: INCLUSIVE EVENTS YOU’LL LOVE! ✨🌈

Hey OC friends! 🍁 Whether you’re looking to connect, learn, or play, October is packed with amazing autism & neurodiversity-friendly events right here in our community! 💙

Here’s what’s happening this month 👇

🎤 Oct 10–12 — National TACA Autism Conference (Costa Mesa)
Workshops, speakers & connections for parents, pros, and advocates.
🔗 tacanow.org

🧩 Oct 19 (8–10 am) — Sensory Friendly Mornings @ Discovery Cube OC
Enjoy hands-on exhibits in a calm, sensory-friendly setting.
🔗 discoverycube.org

🐠 Oct 19 (6–9 pm) — Autism Families Night @ Aquarium of the Pacific
Exclusive evening for families with autism — low lights, quiet spaces, and tons of fun!
🔗 aquariumofpacific.org

💬 Oct 24 (10 am–12 pm) — Autism Moms Connect (CHOC)
A safe space to connect, share, and support one another.
🔗 choc.org

⛳ Oct 27 — Swing for Autism Golf Tournament & Celebration
Join the fun for a great cause supporting New Vista School & Spirit League!
🔗 swingforautism.org

🎸 Oct 26 (2–4 pm) — OCASG Jam Session (Members Only)
Bring your instrument or voice and jam with the OC autism community!
🔗 ocaspergers.org

💻 Oct 27 (7–9 pm) — OCASG Virtual Support Meeting
A relaxed online space to talk, share, and connect.
🔗 ocaspergers.org

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💙 Let’s celebrate inclusion, awareness & connection all month long!
📸 Tag your friends, spread the word, and let’s fill October with community and kindness.

09/28/2025

For Social Skills this week, we targeted the skill of “Inquiring about others’ preferences” and made purple waffles together.

This could look like…

• Asking a friend what game they want to play.
• Asking which snack someone would like.
• Asking what color or crayon a friend wants to use.
• Asking what music a friend wants to listen to.
• Asking which seat someone wants to sit in.
• Asking which toy a friend would like first.
• Asking which movie or show someone wants to watch.
• Asking how a friend likes to be greeted (high-five, wave, fist bump).
• Asking what kind of activity (inside or outside) a friend would prefer.
• Asking what type of role (leader, helper, player) a friend wants in a game.

09/05/2025

🌟 Upcoming Orange County Events for Autism & Special Needs 🌟

🐰 1. OC Autism Foundation – Sensory Bunny (Garden Grove, CA)
📅 April 26, 2025 | 12 PM – 2 PM
✨ Sensory-friendly Easter fun with Bunny photos, egg hunt, Austin the Monkey, food & snacks.
👉 ocautismfoundation.org

🎨 2. Arts & Disability Festival (OC Dept. of Education)
📅 Each spring (annual event)
🎭 Celebrating inclusive arts programs for students & community members with disabilities.
👉 ocde.us

🤝 3. CHOC – Autism Moms Connect (Orange, CA)
📅 Monthly (Aug–Dec 2025) | 10 AM – 12 PM
💬 Support group for moms to connect, share & build community.
👉 choc.org

🌈 4. YMCA OC – New Horizons Program (Tustin, CA)
📅 Ongoing (Tue–Sat)
🧩 Recreational & social activities for adults (18+) with developmental disabilities.
👉 ymcaoc.org

💬 5. TACA (The Autism Community in Action) (various OC locations)
📅 Multiple 2025 events: Breakfast Club ☕, Lunch Bunch 🥗, Sensitive Santa 🎅 & more.
👉 tacanow.org

🐉 6. OC Asperger’s Support Group (OCASG)
📅 Year-round events: Dungeons & Dragons 🎲, Toastmasters 🎤, coffee meetups ☕.
👉 ocaspergers.org

🚶 7. Easterseals Southern California (Costa Mesa, CA)
📅 Sept 2025 – Festival of Children 🎪
📅 Oct 25, 2025 – 25th Annual Strides for Disability 🏃‍♀️
👉 socal.easterseals.com

💻 8. Empowering Possibilities Giving Day (Online – OC focus)
📅 May 7, 2025
💡 A Giving Day supporting nonprofits that serve people with disabilities in OC.
👉 oc-cf.org

🏅 9. Special Olympics SoCal – OC Fall Competition (Westminster, CA)
📅 Oct 13, 2025
🔥 Local competition for athletes with intellectual disabilities.
👉 sosc.org

⸻

✨ Know of more events? Drop them below! 👇

🔖 Save this post to stay connected with your local autism & special needs community.

08/02/2025

AUGUST AUTISM-FRIENDLY EVENTS – ORANGE COUNTY 💙
Check out these inclusive and supportive events for the autism community this August!

✨ Aug 2 – TACA Summer Fun Day
👶 Inclusive play at Atlantis Play Center, Garden Grove

🥞 Aug 13 – TACA Breakfast Club
☕ Back-to-school parent meetup @ Corner Bakery, Santa Ana

🎨 Aug 17 – Painting Palooza
🎨 Art for ages 10–21 @ Pinot’s Palette, Tustin

🔇 Aug 17 – Sensory-Friendly Morning @ Discovery Cube
🧪 Early entry with low lights & sound, Santa Ana

🤝 Aug 21 – Seesaw Connect Café Chat
☕ Support meetup @ Seesaw Beans & Coffee, Buena Park

⚖️ Aug 27 – Legal Education & IEP Clinic
📚 Free legal help for families @ Costa Mesa

👩‍👧‍👧 Aug 29 – Autism Moms Connect
💬 Moms-only circle @ CHOC, Orange

💻 All Month – TACA Online Webinars
📺 Topics: Seizures, Anxiety, Advocacy & more

💙 Most events are FREE or low-cost & designed with our community in mind!
📲 Visit tacanow.org/events or choc.org for full details & to register.

Named a best children's hospital by U.S. News & World Report, CHOC is defining the future of pediatric medicine.