Kyla Sayer, 4, drives her toy car with help from teacher's assistant Christine Davis on Monday during the Superhero Parade at the Easterseals North Site off Rowan Road in Cranberry Township. The parade was held in recognition of National Autism Awareness Month.

CRANBERRY TWP — Students marched down the sidewalks of the Easterseals' Linda Lanham Zeszutek School off Rowan Road, fully decked out in superhero costumes with signs displaying their superpowers.

“I can talk with my eyes,” said one sign. “I have a super smile,” said another.

Leading the procession marking National Autism Awareness Month were veterans, officials and emergency responders from around the region.

The parade began at 11 a.m. Monday at the school, which provides special education and therapy to children, ages 3 to 8, with autism and other disabilities.

“So many of our children have autism or cerebral palsy or significant neurological impairments,” said Patty Braendle, director of children's programs for Easterseals Western and Central Pennsylvania. “We decided to have this superheroes event because (of) the superheroes in our lives.”

Braendle said this could be anyone from the staff at Easterseals to the families of students, both of whom work to educate and raise the children at Easterseals.

“But more so ... is our little kids and the superheroes they are each and every day,” Braendle said. “They inspire us with how hard they work trying to overcome their disabilities.”

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The students and their entourage made two loops around the front parking lot, with veterans and first responders, dressed in uniform, waving flags.

At the end of the parade, children were treated to an obstacle course, a balloon artist and lunch.

Alisha Sayer said her daughter, Kyla, greatly enjoyed the parade.

“She's full of smiles, riding on her car,” Sayer said. “So, I think she's enjoying it a lot.”

Sayer said the Easterseals program has been good for Kyla.“I absolutely love the school, I love the atmosphere and I love that she gets to experience things like everybody else,” Sayer said.Students also got the chance to check out ambulances, fire trucks and police cruisers. The first responders showed off their vehicles and clicked on the lights, letting the curious children see how they work.Braendle said events like this one are all about showing appreciation for the students.“We just love our kids,” she said. “And they do an awesome job.”For more information about Easterseals, visit www.easterseals.com.

Macy Frame, 6, a student at Easterseals' Linda Lanham Zeszutek School in Cranberry Township, and her classroom assistant Kelly Spiering, react to the crowd Monday during the Superhero Parade held in recognition of National Autism Awareness Month. Members of the VFW Post 879 color guard led the parade along with police and ambulance personnel from Cranberry.