Thursday, October 1, 2026
An inclusive Easter egg hunt, organized by Siblings Helping Siblings, brought dozens of families together on April 5 for a sensory-friendly holiday celebration designed for children of all abilities.
The third annual event, which drew about 60 attendees to the John J. Byrne Community Center in Uniondale, was designed to create a welcoming space where children could participate without the pressures of a larger gathering.
Three years ago, Roosevelt resident Maria Tejada launched Siblings Helping Siblings, an initiative that grew out of her experience with a special needs daughter and a lack of inclusive spaces for her family.
“It started because of my daughter,” Tejada, who also has organized events at the Roosevelt Public Library, said. “In our experience, at that time, we didn’t see many spaces that welcome the whole family, especially those with disabilities.”
Many siblings, who are often young themselves, do not fully understand disorders like autism, she explained. As a result, activities they want to take part in may not be accessible to a brother or sister with a disability, which can lead to frustration and arguments.
Siblings Helping Siblings isn’t a nonprofit, she added, and relies on support from family and friends to fund its activities. Despite limited resources, the organization has expanded to include sensory-friendly movie screenings and seasonal events.
Local sensory-friendly environments for holiday events are scarce, and finding a location for the Easter egg hunt was not easy, Tejada said.
Due to a lack of awareness about autism, organizations are reluctant to offer cooperation and often tell her, “We’re going to think about it.”
But Tejada has insisted, “We believe in inclusion.”
However, the community center — known for hosting events and inviting families from across Long Island to give them a glimpse of Uniondale — didn’t hesitate to work with her.
Sensory-friendly environments are designed to reduce overstimulation from noise, lights and crowds, which can be overwhelming for those with autism and other developmental disabilities.
“I’m trying to create more memories with all of them,” Tejada said. “I’m also giving my oldest daughter the opportunity to create memories with my middle one — that’s what I’m really proud of. I want her to have the same childhood I had.”
During the Easter event, children took part not only in the egg hunt, but in photo opportunities with the Easter Bunny, as well as arts and crafts and face painting. A sensory table offered materials like sand, rocks and other textured objects to help keep children engaged.
Tejada created a calm and flexible environment to accommodate a range of needs. The music was kept low, and activities were spaced out to prevent overcrowding. Children were free to move around, make noise or take breaks without judgment — something Tejada said is often not possible at traditional events.
“If your kids want to jump, your kids want to scream, we understand that everybody goes through this,” Tejada said.
For Michael Silva, who traveled from Huntington with his two children, Aidan, 13, and Kaileen, 11, both of whom are on the autism spectrum, the event offered something special.
“We’re always looking for things to do with the kids,” Silva said. “It’s not easy — we’ve got to be with them at all times, in controlled spaces.”
He explained that he avoids large events because some people might not understand autism.
“I feel safe in these kinds of spaces,” Silva said. “I know someone is going to understand if my son blocks a door or looks at them and doesn’t say anything.”
Aidan, he said, “looks like an adult, but he’s still a kid — his body grew up first.”
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, about 1 in 36 children in the United States is diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder, highlighting the growing need for inclusive and sensory-friendly spaces.
Kaileen especially enjoyed the activities, including the face-painting and egg hunt, while Aidan was able to participate at his own pace.
Of the candy Kaileen collected, her father said, “She wasn’t going to eat it all, but it felt like an accomplishment for her, like, ‘Oh my God, I got all this.’”
Kristen Silveira, of Wantagh, who applied the face paint and specializes in working with children with disabilities, adjusted her approach to each child’s comfort level. While some children opted for full-face designs, Kaileen chose a smaller one — stars on her cheeks — so she could comfortably take part in other activities.
Tejada said she hoped to expand Siblings Helping Siblings in the future, with plans to host more events throughout the year, depending on available support and funding.
“Our goal is to build a support program,” she said, adding that she also wants to create resources specifically for siblings of children with disabilities, who she said are often overlooked.
