The Autism Society Event and Education Recordings Archive

For children with autism, the goal of "typicalness" may be permanently out of reach. Meanwhile, informal learning experiences may well turn out to be the key to self-discovery, communication, self-confidence and even independence. In non-school settings (zoos, museums, art centers, camps, clubs, gyms), spontaneous verbal interaction and facile social communication are rarely the keys to learning, fun or engagement.  Instead, these types of institutions have, for decades, embraced the idea that education takes many and varied forms. As a result, visitors may climb, dance, view, listen, play, touch or smell – and be absolutely successful. They may even share their experiences without the need to exchange a single spoken word.

Unlike therapeutic settings, in which artificial interactions are set up based on external goals, people in the wider community interact over true mutual interests. That means that kids with autism, in the right settings, can share their true interests with people who really, honestly care. Where there are real shared interests, there's real engagement… real interaction… and real learning. Where there's real learning and understanding, there's real respect. Where there's respect, there's the possibility of responsibility, leadership and growth. 

It hasn’t always been easy to find that right setting – and it’s still certainly challenging. But the world has become a friendlier place for families with kids who behave, think and learn differently. And for kids with autism, the world outside of school and the therapists’ offices may offer real opportunities for discovering talents, building relationships and finding direction.

Whether your child with autism is verbal or non-verbal, whether he loves dinosaurs or baseball, there are other people out there with his passions. Not every setting is ideal for every child, and it takes work to find the right place, the right people and the right situation. But when you encourage a child with autism to explore the world outside of school and therapy, the results can be extraordinary.

Topics addressed will include:

• Why kids and teens with autism may thrive in non-school environments
• What kinds of activities and settings might be right for your child and your family
• What’s available for families with special needs
• How to determine whether a typical program is right for your child
• How to work with coaches, instructors and community leaders
• Summer and your child with autism
• How to advocate for and support inclusion in settings such as zoos, Sunday schools, music programs, Boy Scouts, sports programs and much more.

The workshop will include an opportunity to assess individual needs and direction, some hands-on activity and a Q&A/sharing period.