Malibu surfers give autistic children something to smile about
This amazing event, hosted by Variety the Children’s Charity, successfully stared summertime with 200 autistic kids enjoying a great day in the ocean with family, friends and a Malibu surf crew.
Surfers Healing is a non-profit-making organization established by Israel and Danielle Paskowitz who run Paskowitz’s Surf Camp in San Diego. At age 3 their boy Isaiah was diagnosed with autism. After spending time with him in the ocean, Israel and Danielle found water is a reassuring cure to regular sensory overload. They sought to share what worked for Isiah with other families. Committed to supplying a unique therapeutic experience for kids confronting autism Surfers Healing has formulated these surf camps for kids with autism at beaches round the world. Surfing is employed as a tool to enable autistic kids to acquire self confidence skills and to promote the therapeutic benefits of the sport’s positive effects on the vestibular system. With Sony Pictures for nearly 10 years the late Pat Notaro was an avid Malibu surfer, member of the Variety The Children’s Charity and Sony Executive. This event is held every year in his memory as a entertainment filled day for the kids and their families.
Autism is a complex brain disease that suppresses a person’s ability to communicate and build up social relationships and is often followed by intense behavioral challenges. It’s the fastest rising serious developmental disability in the U.S and calculated that 1 in every 88 kids are affected a 10 fold growth in prevalence in 40 years. While the cause of autism continues unclear, latest studies show genetics and surroundings both play a role in the autism epidemic increase.
A very special thanks goes out to all the surfers, volunteers and sponsors that make the event possible each year.
For more information on these organizations please go to www.surfershealing.org, www.paskowitz.com and www.varietysocal.org.
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