Peer Clubs
Currently, during quarantine, we have six ongoing online events, three under social skills and three under communication skills.
Social Skills:
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1 On 1 Calls
Weekly
The one-on-one online friendship program was based on the idea that children with autism would benefit from a personal connection with peers. Children with autism have difficulty making friends. So they have less social opportunities. Online 1:1 friendship program would assign a long time friend to each of them. By interacting with each other and developing their social and communication skills every week, these children are better equipped to be included into social communities.
The program pairs a volunteer with an autistic child based on their known interests, and volunteers find ways to communicate with the peer. The topics they can talk about vary greatly depending on the pair, and some topics include programming and biology. The one-on-one program allows for each pair to do what they individually want.
Inclusive Fitness
Saturdays 5:00-5:30
For the past year, the inclusive fitness program has established an interpersonal connection between peers and participants online. Through zoom, the peers engaged in many fun and engaging activities such as ping pong, stretching, jump roping, and dancing. The variety of activities allows all the participants to find something they love and have fun. The peers greatly enjoy the social aspect of the program the most; many of the peers and participants develop long-time friendships that are often missing in these tumultuous times. Overall, both peers and participants are able to have a great time whilst also exercising to maintain their health. If you are free on Saturdays from 5:00 to 5:30 PM, come join us! We always start and end with introductions and icebreakers so that everyone feels welcome and included.
Arts and Crafts
Sundays 2:00-2:40
Every Sunday, from 2:00 pm to 2:40 pm, Peer 1 on 1 hosts an arts and crafts event. We do a variety of activities related to arts, including folding origami, drawing doodles, and making “dream” rooms! Every week, a different branch hosts the event, which makes events much more interesting and diverse! Everyone will have the opportunity to meet new people, get to know them better, and make new friends! Through the event, we hope that peers will learn more ways to express themselves through art and see Sunday events as a creative outlet. It’s so nice to see all of the peers smiling and laughing on Sundays while making various crafts!
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