Can CAAN do the can-can?: With a plan, CAAN shows that Autism is a span

Drew Walker with a therapy dog at a LASM event

This piece was submitted by Drew Walker, Executive Director of the Capital Area Autism Network (CAAN) . The article was submitted for our spring 2025 newsletter's focus on "All Things Sensory" in the Baton Rouge. ... And, as for doing the "can can" dance, CAAN possibly can make the observation experience of a neurodivergent individual more bearable and enjoyable on a sensory-friendly level as others dance. ... Drew Walker is the executive director of the Capital Area Autism Network. He previously worked at McMains Children’s Developmental Center and Our Lady of the Lake Children’s Health. CAAN is the premier network of stakeholders providing education and support to address the most pressing needs of the autistic and neurodivergent community in the Baton Rouge area.

Source: https://www.caanbr.org

The Capital Area Autism Network (CAAN) is committed to filling gaps in the autistic and neurodivergent communities. As part of our work to fill these gaps, we have been fortunate enough to work with several partners in the Baton Rouge area to help provide sensory accommodations for individuals and families. By putting accommodations at the front of businesses’ minds – rather than as a secondary thought – we hope to make the Capital Area more welcoming for everyone.

As a collaborative network, we truly value working with and learning from other groups and organizations. This way, we can help find ways that more people can enjoy all our community has to offer.

CAAN was able to work with several partners in 2024. We worked with Our Lady of the Lake Children’s Health Pediatric Development Therapy Center to help distribute sensory bags at various locations around Baton Rouge including the Manship Theatre, Playmakers of Baton Rouge, the Arts Council of Greater Baton Rouge, and the East Baton Rouge Parish Library. These bags include noise-cancelling headphones, sunglasses, fidget toys, and a communication card to help non-speaking individuals communicate. The bags are free and available upon request. Beyond providing sensory bags to some organizations/locations, we are sometimes asked to promote and council as to what already exists for sensory offerings; such organizations/locations include BREC, the Louisiana Art and Science Museum and the Baton Rouge Zoo. In addition to helping provide sensory bags, we had the opportunity to sponsor two events in December 2025.

The Arts Council of Greater Baton Rouge was looking to partner with local nonprofits to highlight the role art can play in their missions. They asked CAAN to help highlight how art can help neurodivergent people express their inner experiences of the world. We were able to connect neurodivergent artists with the Arts Council to display their work; partnered with the Emerge Center, St. Lillian’s Academy, Red Stick C.A.R.E.S., and OLOLCH’s Pediatric Development Therapy Center [formerly McMainsChildren's Developmental Center] to provide original art to decorate their building; and offer a sensory space during the event. Over 140 people attended and had the opportunity to learn more about neurodivergence and ways to provide simple adaptations to make art more inclusive.

Later that month, CAAN sponsored a sensory-friendly performance of Frozen Jr. at Playmakers of Baton Rouge. During the performance, light cues were removed and the volume was reduced to make the show more comfortable for people with sensory sensitivities. Over 40 people attended as neurodivergent children and adults were encouraged to bring their families to enjoy the show.

CAAN’s goal in developing and deepening these partnerships is to encourage consideration of sensory sensitivities as a first thought rather than an afterthought. In other words, we are working to encourage public locations to be accommodating by default so individuals and their families don’t have to worry as much about whether they will be welcome. Everyone deserves to be able to do the things they enjoy and go to the places they want without the added stress of having to worry about whether they will be accepted. We believe that being aware of the needs of the whole community and meeting those needs can only make businesses stronger and our community better able to serve all its people.

While people often think of children when speaking about Autism, it is important to remember that Autistic children become Autistic adults. The need for support, resources, and accommodations is ever present. At CAAN, we are working to strengthen our ties to the business community to help raise awareness of and offer suggestions about ways to provide for all neurodivergent individuals leading to greater inclusion as both patrons and potential employees. If you are interested in finding resources currently available, helping us fill the gap, or are a business interested in learning more about the benefits of accommodations, feel free to reach out to our executive director, Drew Walker, at drew.walker@caanbr.org.