April is Autism Awareness Month
I love playing family board games. This isn’t just because I work for Blue Orange. It’s not just because I have fond memories of playing board games as a kid or even as an adult. The simple reason is that it engages my son in a way that other things cannot. My son has autism and ADHD. Board games provide us a way to engage with each other and with friends and family , and work on his social skills. I learned and honed the skills of game play for my son through ABA therapy sessions. We worked with him on turn taking, focus and attention, visual perception, social skills, sportsmanship, etc. He would have so much fun with the games that he never thought he was doing any type of “work”.
He beats me in Gobblet Gobblers (probably his favorite game).He can’t get enough of the multiple Spot It! versions. Sometimes, we don’t play the game the way it’s meant to be played and that’s ok too. I have fond memories of a playdate with him playing “hide and go seek Spot It! cards” at a friend’s house. Not only was the mother ok with our kids running around the house trying to find hidden cards but she encouraged it! He made up a new game using materials from an already beloved game and everyone had fun.
April is Autism Awareness Month. I’m so happy to hear about the role that board games contribute to ABA Therapy. I’m a big fan of Sam Blanco, BCBA and her website – Teach Through Games. She’s an ABA therapist that utilizes games in her therapy sessions. She does a great job of modifying games to her students individual skills.
Have fun and learn through playing!
This toy store happens to be O.P. Taylor’s and their 25 years of success can back up their proclamation. What is now a booming success of a Toy Store recognized with many prestige awards, started out as a rugged clothing store. Store owner, John Taylor, ran a successful restaurant in the town of Brevard and decided to open a clothing store to sell rugged outdoors outfits. However, that quickly turned into a toy store when children took more to the game corner than they did to the clothes! Taylor now runs 3 successful stores and is a well known name around the town. Taylor and his store are not only well-known around the town and in the south, but also world wide, after all, it is the ‘coolest toy store on the planet’. O.P. Taylor’s was recently honored as one of 
With a store owner that has the heart of a nine year old, a bright smile, and wears a colorful hat equip with a propeller, there is no option but to have fun at O.P. Taylor’s. The staff is bright and eager to play with you! Have a question or want to see a demo? You will not hesitate to ask one of the staff members! With all of the games that you could have ever wanted as a child, or now, it is most likely that one of O.P. Taylor’s bright and colorfully stocked walls will call your name. So, the next time you are passing through Brevard, North Carolina, stop in and check out the ‘Coolest Toy Store on the Planet’. 
