This partnership between Trait d'Union Outaouais (TUO) and the Pierre Elliott Trudeau Elementary School (PETES) and Eardley Elementary School resulted in an extraordinary day filled with joy, inclusion, and brilliance to mark Autism Awareness Month.

Gathering an enthusiastic crowd, the day was filled with a multitude of activities: partner booths, magic shows, lively music, colorful balloons shaped like animals and flowers, delicious treats such as popcorn and smoothies, a welcoming and adaptive sensory room, inflatable castles, creative crafts, and so much more. Every activity contributed to bringing smiles to everyone’s faces while reaffirming the importance of embracing our differences.

The heartfelt speeches delivered by autistic and neurotypical students, Mayor Maude Marquis-Bissonnette, deputies Mathieu Lévesque and Suzanne Tremblay, Jennifer McNeil (PETES), and TUO's executive director, Federico Gauchat, resonated deeply by emphasizing the crucial role of inclusion and respect for everyone in our society. A Zumba session energized the crowd as a warm-up before the enthusiastic and joyful march around the neighborhood.

We extend our deepest gratitude to our valuable partners who enriched this event with their expertise and commitment to the community: the Gatineau Police, Connexions, Village Parents, the Lions Club of Aylmer, Multisport TSA Outaouais, and Cabin 365. We are also sincerely thankful to our donors and sponsors: Mr. Puffs, The Keg, Cosmic Adventures, Mikes, Flying squirrel, Quality classrooms, Orleans Fresh Fruit and the Ottawa Convention Centre.

A special thanks goes to PETES for generously hosting us. And above all, we warmly thank our dedicated volunteers, the teams from TUO, PETES, and Eardley, as well as the organizing committee, whose tireless efforts made this memorable event possible.

Together, we demonstrated that autistic and neurotypical individuals can have fun and share extraordinary moments. Our mission now is to spread this message across all sectors of society so that respect for diversity light us all up.