Skate rink hosts autistic families
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The Latrobe Skating Center is a great place for family entertainment -- and has been since Jim Erny bought the indoor roller skating rink 23 years ago.
But families with autistic kids hold a special place in his heart. For nearly 20 years, he has provided a free monthly skating party for those families during the fall and winter months.
"These are my kids," said Mr. Erny, 51, of Unity. "Originally, I had a father approach me about having a party -- his son was autistic. My kids were tiny at the time, and my partner had two children, and we all wanted to do this.
"We do a free skating party for families and siblings. I've watched some of these autistic kids grow up, from when they were 5.
"Some of these kids are so much fun, they really take to skating and are so intelligent," he said.
Autism is a developmental disorder that impairs communication and social-interaction skills.
Mr. Erny recalls the story of one skater who has been coming to the rink for a long time.
"He's now a 26-year-old man who can tell you the score of a Steelers and Oakland Raiders game from 1970. He's amazing," Mr. Erny said.
"His father told me a great story. One day he borrowed $10 from his son's room to get a haircut. When he returned, his son not only knew that a $10 bill was missing, he knew the serial number on it."
The monthly skating parties are open to any family with autistic children, he said, and are coordinated by the Autistic Society of Westmoreland County. The next party is 6:30 to 9 p.m. next Thursday.
Mr. Erny says his family-oriented business caters to kids.
"I had a woman call me not long ago; her 14-year-old son who has autism was coming for a birthday party. He had never skated before, so we suggested she bring him on a Friday night to try. He came with his service dog, a German shepherd. The dog sat down in the snack bar area and all the kids were petting him, he was so mellow. Then, when the boy went out to skate, the dog walked beside him.
"The boy was all smiles, and it made me feel so good," he said.
"The skating center has been absolutely fantastic," said Lisa Liston, president of the Autism Society of Westmoreland County. "[Center management] turns down the music and turns off the strobe lights since some of our kids are sound- and light-sensitive."
Mrs. Liston's daughter, who is 24, and about 40 other children and adults with autism -- along with their siblings -- attend the monthly outings, she said. A lot of parents skate as well. One family that regularly comes lives in Blair County.
First Published February 2, 2012 4:48 am
