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Parents are taking to Facebook and online support groups to express frustration with what they say is a policy change at Kings Island that doesn’t accommodate the special needs of autistic children.

Sherry and Kendall Yuskewich at Kings Island in 2012. The Blue Ash family makes several trips each year to the amusement park, where they say Kendall, who has autism, has always been permitted to ride rides with little wait times. That changed this summer when the park changed its policy. Provided

In recent years, the Mason amusement park permitted riders with disabilities to enter a ride area with a companion through an alternate entrance and ride after just a brief wait, parents say.

That changed this summer when the park began requiring disabled riders to request a boarding time – equal to a ride’s anticipated wait time for all guests in line – and return at the designated time.

The policy change presents problems for children with autism, who thrive on routine and order and have difficulty waiting, in or out of line, parents say.

Officials from Kings Island’s parent company, Cedar Fair Entertainment Co., say the boarding pass policy has always been in effect but may have been inconsistently enforced at the 11 amusement parks it owns nationwide.

The only change this year is that all parks must abide by the policy, said spokeswoman Stacy Frole.

Bill Shepherd of Mason makes up to 15 excursions to Kings Island each summer with his autistic son, Gage, 20, who struggles with crippling anxiety and impulse and aggression issues. Shepherd says the boarding pass policy doesn’t work for people with autism spectrum disorders.

“Once Gage discovered he couldn’t get on, he was biting his hand, angry and lashing out,’’ he said. “He mostly hurts himself, but he scares everyone around him.”

Chad Yuskewich said his family spent nearly $300 on season passes only to find them virtually unusable under the changes. The Blue Ash dad said he found out about the policy at the family’s first visit to the park this year.

“When I told her, ‘No, we’re not getting on right now, we have to wait,’ we had a meltdown,” said Yuskewich, of his autistic daughter, Kendall, 10, who began kicking, screaming and pushing.

Frole said Cedar Fair worked with the Autism Society, a Bethesda, Md.-based advocacy organization, to develop information for parents in planning visits to Cedar Fair parks. Those tips are published online on each park’s website.

“We review our policies on a regular basis and when we see inconsistencies, we implement best practices policies,” she said. “We do our best to accommodate our guests, and that’s why we have this equal access policy in place.”

Jennifer Repella, vice president of programs with the Autism Society, said her group supports the boarding pass policy, but had no role in its implementation.

“There’s no question that many people with autism can’t wait in line, but there’s no question that a kid with AD/HD or a person with a back problem can’t wait in line. Where do you draw the line?

“We don’t want preferential treatment, we want equal access.”

The endorsement isn’t shared by all Autism Society chapters. Patty Proctor, executive director of the Autism Society of Greater Cincinnati, said her chapter has received dozens of complaints from parents since Kings Island opened April 27.

That prompted the organization to issue a statement to parents on its Facebook page on May 13:

“The procedure that was used in the past regarding avoiding lines was dropped by (Kings Island). In anticipation of making a policy change, The Autism Society of America was contacted to serve in a consulting role to help the park develop new procedures to assist our families. ASA and the Autism Society of Greater Cincinnati did not suggest the park system drop the previous policy and there continues to be ongoing discussion with the parks as to how to best meet the needs of all guests, including those with autism.”

(The complete statement is available at facebook.com/autismcincy)

Local parents aren’t the only ones upset with the policy.

(more…)

Posted in: Arts & Entertainment, Kings Island |

Tags: Tags: autism, autism spectrum disorders, autistic, blue passes, cedar fair, disabilities, equal access, kings island, mason, rides

Mason Intermediate fifth grader Chris Li creates a snowflake ornament. Students in Amy Sheets’ fifth grade class are creating and selling ornaments to benefit autism research and awareness. Photo provided

Fifth grade students at Mason Intermediate are getting crafty for a cause.

Students in Amy Sheet’s class created handcrafted snowflake ornaments this month as a way to raise money for Autism Speaks, a leading nonprofit autism science and advocacy organization.

Like a real snowflake, each ornament is unique, crafted with recycled puzzle pieces — the symbol for autism awareness.

Ornament cost is $5, with all proceeds benefiting Autism Speaks.  Purchase ornaments these Mason retailers:

• Kidd Coffee, 322 Reading Road
• Mims off Main, 623 Reading Road
• Main Street Sweets, 200 E. Main Street

“It’s been powerful watching the students get so involved in this project,” said Sheets. “Not only was the project itself fun, but the students have shown great passion for helping others.

Posted in: Schools |

Tags: Tags: amy sheets, autism, autism speaks, christmas tree, fundraiser, mason intermediate, ornaments, snowflake ornaments

A former Mason Middle School teacher’s family is among the recipients selected for the 26th annual Wish List program, a joint effort by the United Way of Greater Cincinnati and Enquirer.  More than $3.5 million has been raised and donated since the program started in 1986. A series of 12 short profiles of people who need your help appear in the Enquirer this month, with information on how to donate.  Money contributed beyond what these 12 people need will go to help people in similar circumstances.

Kyle McIntosh, 5 is autistic. He needs a special wheelchair to allow his mother Kelli McIntosh to take him out shopping and on other trips with her. He easily gets tired if he walks by himself. Here they shop in the Target store in MIddletown, one of Kyle's favorite places, he mimic's Elmo, his favorite Sesame Street character. The Enquirer/Glenn Hartong.

In many ways, Kyle McIntosh is like any other boy his age.

The 5-year-old from Monroe likes to swim, go on car rides and watch football with his dad, Jesse.

But Kyle, who suffers a variety of physical and developmental disabilities, faces more barriers than most children.

Kyle McIntosh, 5 is autistic. He is growing fast and regular changing tables are to small for him and often too short for his mother Kelli McIntosh. They need a special table to make the job of changing Kyle far easier. The Enquirer/Glenn Hartong.

He was diagnosed with hypotonia shortly after birth. The condition, marked by low muscle tone, makes it difficult for Kyle to walk long distances and makes him more prone to falling.

Kyle also has epilepsy and autism. Although he has yet to say his first word, he communicates through a special application on his iPad and knows basic sign language.

“It’s been a journey,” Kyle’s mother, Kelli, said. “He reaches his milestones, but way delayed.”

As Kyle gets older, the challenges of caring for him mount. Both parents are tall – Kelli is a willowy 6-foot-1 and Jesse towers at 6-foot-6 – and Kyle is quickly shooting up.

Lifting and carrying their 55-pound son is becoming more difficult for Kelli and especially Jesse, who suffers from degenerative discs in his back.

His parents are hoping that an adaptive stroller designed for disabled children and a wall-mounted changing table will help them better care for Kyle and allow the family more freedom to go places.

“We’ve had him on a typical stroller, and it’s just not big enough for him,” Kelli said. “This will grow with him and will be a necessity for years and years.”

The family borrowed a donated stroller this summer from Abilities First, where Kyle attends preschool. The increased mobility allowed the McIntosh family to take its first vacation in years.

“Before, we were limited on where we could go,” Kelli said. “If I just wanted to go to the mall for fun, that was really impossible.”

An extended-length changing table would make it easier to change Kyle’s diapers and clothing through adulthood.

“Right now, we change him on the floor of our living room. That’s the only place where we can lay him down and do this,” said Kelli.

“We hope that one day he will be able to go to the restroom, but based on his development now, it could still be a few years before we get to that – or it could be for life, we don’t know,” his mother said.

Insurance doesn’t cover the costs of the stroller or changing table and the family’s finances are sapped.

Kelli taught at Mason Middle School for seven years before leaving her job to take care of Kyle and his younger sister, Kaylie.  She now works part-time as a bookkeeper.

Jesse works as an over-the-road truck driver, which keeps him away from the family for days and weeks on end.

“Even though life is difficult, Kyle finds happiness in even the smallest things. He has a laughter that’s contagious,” said Kelli.  “He’s still a blessing and joy, and I would do it all over again.”

Give to the Wish List

Posted in: Community, News, Schools |

Tags: Tags: autism, changing table, child, christmas, cincinnati enquirer, disabled, epilepsy, hypotonia, kelli mcintosh, kyle mcintosh, mason middle school, monroe, stroller, teacher, united way, wish list program

Dr. Robert Melillo

Dr. Robert Melillo will speak on brain balance research in children with learning difficulties at 7 p.m. Monday, May 2 at the Mason Community Center.

Melillo is the co-founder of the new Brain Balance Achievement Center of Cincinnati.  The center will celebrate the grand opening of its Cincinnati center earlier in the day on May 2.

A chiropractic neurologist and university professor, Melillo has specialized in childhood neurological disorders for more than 20 years.  He is the author of two books, “Reconnected Kids” and “Disconnected Kids.”

Melillo will speak on principals of brain balance and research, including hemispheric integration therapy and functional disconnection syndrome in children with AD/HD, autism, dyslexia and other learning disabilities.

The one-hour event is free and open to the community.  The Mason Community Center is at 6050 Mason-Montgomery Road.  For more information, call 513-257-0705.

Posted in: Events, Health & Fitness |

Tags: Tags: add, adhd, autism, brain balance, brain balance center of cincinnati, children, dr. robert melillo, dyslexia, event, mason, mason community center, presentation

Shabana Shakir-Ahmed, of Mason, is among 10 women being honored by The Enquirer as its Women of the Year honorees.

The Enquirer honors women in the community each year for their commitments to improving the lives of people throughout Greater Cincinnati and Northern Kentucky.

This year’s honorees will be featured in a special print section in Sunday’s Enquirer.  They will also be honored at a luncheon on April 26.

Shakir-Ahmed is being honored for her work in breaking down stereotypes and promoting diversity.

Born in Chennai, India, Shakir-Ahmed has lived in the United States since she was 4.  She attended college, got an MBA and settled with her family in Mason.

She and two friends began Cincinnati Muslim Women in 2008 with the goal of addressing other people’s lack of understanding about Muslims – feelings Shakir-Ahmed felt acutely in the wake of the 9/11 terrorist attacks.

She became active in Muslim Mothers Against Violence following the London bombings in 2005 and volunteers at the Islamic Center of Cincinnati in West Chester Township, where she frequently gives school groups tours.

Shakir-Ahmed is also active in the El-Sewedy International Academy at the Islamic Center, which her two daughters attend.

Her son, who is autistic, attends Mason City Schools, but Shakir-Ahmed wanted to ensure that he and other children with disabilities could also participate at the Islamic Center’s weekend school and sought assistance from Arc of Southwestern Ohio to build more inclusive classrooms.

For more on Shakir-Ahmed, check out Enquirer staff writer Polly Campbell’s profile on her online or read more about her and other inspiring women in Sunday’s Enquirer.

More about Shabana

Birthplace: Chennai, India

Age: 41

Family: Husband Aman Ahmed is a gerontologist, children Zara, 13; Salah, 11; and Maariyah, 10.

Latest project: Working on the garden by the National Underground Railroad Freedom Center, meant to highlight and honor people from all walks of life

Best advice: Always try to read the obituaries every morning. … Sounds morbid but it really helps you value your life and makes you feel blessed that you have another day to make a difference!

Posted in: Community, News |

Tags: Tags: arc southwestern of ohio, autism, cincinnati muslim women, el-sewedy international academy, india, islamic center of cincinnati, muslim, shabana shakir-ahmed, the cincinnati enquirer, the enquirer, women of the year