CLEVELAND — Sarah Kovit Hanna wants her son Jacob to enjoy all the same things as other kids. It’s why she launched “The Positivity Spectrum."

First, it started as a nonprofit to help kids with autism be a part of summer camps, and now, it’s expanding.

What You Need To Know

  • Sarah Kovit Hanna began a nonprofit "The Positivity Spectrum" to help kids with autism be a part of summer camps

  • Now she's expanding the nonprofit and working with other organizations to create "Sensory Saturdays"

  • Sky Zone in Boston Heights is the first to take part in it and they allow a time twice a month for kids with autism to feel safe at their trampoline park by turning the music off, having headphones available and more 

“We’ve launched a signature Sensory Saturdays program where we partner with local businesses like the Sky Zone in Boston Heights and the USA Ninja Challenge Gym and they offer opportunities for our kids to come in and use the spaces in an inclusive and sensory sensitive way,” Kovit Hanna said.

The Sky Zone in Boston Heights was the first to take part in the “Sensory Saturdays” and something similar is set to expand to the USA Ninja Gym in Twinsburg.

“Certain things are toned down a little bit so that our autistic children can be safe and happy and not have to worry about certain accommodations being in place for them,” Kovit Hanna said.

The Sky Zone in Boston Heights manager, Marcus Marshall, said they created a sensory room, had headphones available and other accommodations to help the kids feel more comfortable. 

“We dimmed the lights, turned off our games, no music, really tried to you know appease the children, the families, we wanted to make sure that it wasn’t too overstimulating and we wanted to overall just make sure they had a great time,” Marshall said. 

The Sensory Saturday at Sky Zone in Boston Heights takes place twice a month on Saturday mornings. It is open to everyone, but focusing specially on making kids with autism and their families feel extra safe.

“I seen pure joy and excitement. I seen families you know getting able to enjoy this environment with their children,” Marshall said.

Kovit Hanna said it’s magic.

“I wish every business could see the looks on the parents and the kids’ faces when a place that was previously off limits because it was too overwhelming suddenly becomes inclusive,” she said.