Leeds Farm

For the past 6 or 7 years Leeds Farm in Ostrander, Ohio, has been hosting an event for families raising a child with autism called the Autism Harvest Festival.  The festival happens during one Saturday in the month of September from 8:00 am to 10:00 am, but families can stay at the farm all day if they choose.  There are many activities the family can participate, like, the big zip line, which is about a 400 feet long, a giant air trampoline,  straw barn where the kids can just run around like a bunch of crazy people, giant slides, pedal cars, and smaller zip lines for the little kids.  Also at the festival are vendors from various organizations that provide services to families and children with autism.  The vendors include behavior and speech therapists, private autism schools, respite care providers, and this year the Columbus Blue Jackets from the National Hockey League had a booth to promote their hockey program for special needs kids. 

This was our fifth year attending the event and fun was had by all.  Our kids did the big zip line twice, we went on a hay ride through the woods, and Zach went absolutely nuts in the straw barn as he reenacted scenes from the television show “American Ninja Warrior.”  The most satisfying part of the event was being amongst other family members who can relate to our situation and letting our kids be exactly who they are without getting funny looks from strangers looking on.  It was a good day for everyone and thanks to Leeds Farm for putting on another great event and making us feel like family.