The WeHa Unified Business Club sponsored the special ‘sensory performance’ of the Hall High School Pops ‘n Jazz show in West Hartford on March 8, and all reactions were encouraged.

Submitted​

The families arrived a few at a time on March 8. The WeHa Unified Business Club was there to greet them and welcome them to the sensorypPerformance of Hall High School’s Pops ‘n Jazz musical.

The event was free and we reassured the families that rocking, clapping, dancing, yells and echolalia was encouraged! We wanted them to feel comfortable and as stress free as possible.

The event was free and we reassured the families that rocking, clapping, dancing, yells and echolalia was encouraged! We wanted them to feel comfortable and as stress free as possible.

Many families mentioned that their whole family loved music but were unable to take advantage of great events like this because their child with special needs can make loud noises, needs to walk the aisles, or may clap in the middle of songs. “We got looks at the last town play we tried to attend,” said one family. Bad experiences can add more stress to an already stressful night out.

Sensory performances help to keep the stress down.  The performers are told that the audience will be showing their joy of music in all different ways so expect dancing and clapping. We have had 100 percent support from the performers who have mentioned that it is wonderful to hear in real time the reaction to their performance. A special thanks to Emmett Drake, Director of Orchestras at Hall and Conard high schools!

A quiet room (Room E119) was also open across from the auditorium with bean bags and sensory items if a child needed a sensory break.

The sensory performance was sponsored by the WeHa Unified Business Club (www.wehaunified.com) and the Pops ’n’ Jazz community.

The WeHa Unified Business Club was started by a small group of students at both Hall and Conard who are working with teens who have autism and other disabilities on developing micro-businesses and working on skills that may be used in the workforce.

For more information, contact the WeHa Unified Business Club or visit their website.

Like what you see here? Click here to subscribe to We-Ha’s newsletter so you’ll always be in the know about what’s happening in West Hartford!