The Aidon Jarid Foundation

April is Occupational Therapy Month! 🧠 For children with special needs, OT can help: 🌟 Build fine motor and coordination skills 🌟 Support sensory regulation and reduce overwhelm 🌟 Increase independence in daily routines 🌟 Foster confidence and emotional well-being 🌟 Help families create supportive home environments Occupational therapists don’t just work with the child—they empower the whole family, helping everyone thrive together. 👉 Do you know an amazing occupational therapist who’s made a difference in your child’s life? Tag them below and share your gratitude!  Let’s celebrate the OTs who help our little ones grow, thrive, and shine every day.  And if you haven’t yet—take a moment this month to thank your OT with a kind word or a heartfelt note. It means the world. 💛

📌Save the date & if you are able to donate in any way PLEASE reach out! We are hosting our 3rd annual charity Bingo on July 1st at 7 p.m. at Dade City Tap House and Spirits. Come enjoy a night full of fun, bingo, a 50/50 raffle, a silent auction, and prizes. 🥳 💜 1st Bingo card is FREE 💚 Each additional is $2 💜 Prizes are given for each Bingo winner every round 💚 Silent Auction | 50/50 Raffle | Food & FUN! All proceeds from the event will benefit two amazing local charities for kids - Caterpillars to Butterflies Charitable Foundation, Inc. and The Aidon Jarid Foundation 💜💚 We hope to see you there! **If you are a local business and would like to contribute to our silent auction with a business gift card or basket, please send us a DM**

"Children with rare diseases are not defined by their diagnosis—they are defined by their strength, their smiles, and the light they bring into the world." 💙 Each child’s journey is unique, full of courage, love, and resilience. Let’s continue to raise awareness, offer support, and celebrate every rare and beautiful story.

Sensory-friendly Easter FUN! 🎨 Looking for a calming, creative activity this spring?  Try this DIY Textured Easter Egg craft—perfect for kids of all abilities! With soft textures like pom-poms, cotton balls, and foam stickers, this no-mess craft invites little hands to explore, create, and enjoy without overwhelm.  💙Bonus: add a soothing scent for extra sensory joy!  Leave a 🐣 in the comments if you plan to do this craft and tag us in your story or post! Materials: ✔️ Cardstock or thick paper (egg shapes pre-cut or traced) ✔️ Glue sticks or school glue ✔️ Soft craft materials: pom-poms, cotton balls, foam stickers, felt shapes, tissue paper ✔️ Optional: lavender-scented markers or stickers for calming aromatherapy Steps: 👉 Print or cut out large egg shapes from cardstock. 👉 Offer a variety of textured materials 👉 Encourage children to glue materials onto the egg in patterns or freestyle—no wrong way to decorate! 👉 For added sensory fun, gently rub scented markers around the border or use essential-oil-infused stickers (with guidance). Why It’s Sensory-Friendly: 💜 Offers soothing textures (soft, fluffy, smooth) that are gentle on sensitive hands. 💜 No mess required—choose dry, easy-to-handle materials. 💜 Supports creativity without requiring fine motor precision. 💜 Encourages choice-making and tactile exploration in a low-pressure way.

April is Autism Awareness Month—a time to celebrate the unique perspectives and contributions of individuals on the autism spectrum. 💙 Let's embrace diversity, promote understanding, and foster inclusion. Together, we can create a world where everyone feels valued and accepted. 🌍🤝 #AutismAwarenessMonth #CelebrateDifferences #InclusionMatters

Bunny Cares at Lakeland Square Mall – A sensory-friendly easter moment 🌸 📅 Date: Sunday, April 6, 2025 🕤 Time: 9:30 AM – 11:00 AM 📍 Location: Lakeland Square Mall, 3800 US Hwy 98 N, Lakeland, FL Families with sensory-sensitive children are invited to a peaceful photo session with the Easter Bunny! Held before mall hours, this sensory-friendly event features dimmed lights, minimal noise, and a calm, supportive atmosphere. Staff are specially trained to ensure every family feels welcome and cared for 🐣 Space is limited – reserve your spot in advance at lakelandsquare.com/events #LakelandFL #CentralFlorida #OrlandoFL #SensoryFriendly

Monarch Butterfly Festival – A Day to Flutter and Shine! 🦋 📅 Date: Saturday, April 5, 2025 🕙 Time: 10:00 AM – 4:00 PM 📍 Location: Dade City Garden Club, 13630 5th St, Dade City, FL Bring the whole family to celebrate butterflies and bees at this free, interactive event! With a live butterfly display, hands-on crafts, and a Kids’ Zone full of sensory-friendly activities, this festival is ideal for children of all abilities. The layout is open and welcoming, allowing families to explore at their own pace.  Let us know if you'll be there! 😃 #DadeCityFL #DadeCity

Hop into spring fun at the Jelly Bean Fling! 🐰  Looking for a fun, family-friendly event in Dade City? The Jelly Bean Fling is back at the Pioneer Florida Museum with a day packed full of excitement!  🎠 Pony rides 🎨 Face painting & crafts 🎭 Live entertainment 🐣 Easter Bunny photos 🚂 Model trains & blacksmith demos 📅 Saturday, April 5, 2025 from 10 a.m. - 4 p.m. 📍Pioneer Florida Museum, 15602 Pioneer Museum Rd, Dade City, FL 33523 💵 Admission: $10 adults | $5 students | Kids under 5 FREE #DadeCityFL #DadeCity

February 28th is Rare Disease Day! 💜🌍 Today, we shine a light on the over 300 million people worldwide living with a rare disease. With more than 7,000 rare diseases identified, many families face challenges in diagnosis, treatment, and support. But together, we can make a difference! 🔬 Awareness leads to research. 💙 Understanding leads to compassion. 🤝 Support leads to change. Would you consider making a donation to our foundation? Your support helps provide resources, advocacy, and hope to families affected by rare diseases. Every contribution—big or small—makes an impact! 💖 📢 Join us in spreading awareness: ✔️ Wear blue, pink, and green ✔️ Share your story ✔️ Use #RareDiseaseDay to stand in solidarity

Lissencephaly is a rare neurological condition that affects brain development, resulting in a smooth brain surface rather than the typical folds and grooves. Children with lissencephaly often face challenges like developmental delays, seizures, and feeding difficulties, but each child is unique, with their own strengths and abilities. While there’s no cure, supportive care—including therapies, seizure management, and nutritional support—can greatly improve quality of life. By raising awareness and fostering understanding, we can support families navigating this journey and help fund research for better treatments. Together, we can make a difference. 💙 Learn more and find support at organizations like the Lissencephaly Network or the Rare Diseases Clinical Research Network.