Alternative Therapies
Art Therapy
In this program we learn through play. Our process of creation leads us towards self discovery,
experimentation, and tactile tolerance, but doesn't always result in "something to take home."
Over the 10 week course the children are introduced and encouraged to use different materials
as a new form of communication and gain a greater sense of accomplishment. Our areas of
development and focus include: imagination, abstract thinking, flexibility, fine motor skills, spatial
skills, and sensory processing.
Vocational Training
This classes focuses on job skills out in the "real world" with a heavy emphasis on executive
function skills. These are the skills that generally affect students on the autism spectrum the most
in the work environment. Specifically, these skills are initiating a task, staying on task, shifting
between tasks, working memory, emotional control, flexibility and self monitoring. Other important
work skills such as dressing appropriately, displaying appropriate hygiene and social skills with
others will be addressed as well. Work will be on an 8 week rotation with different sites in our
area. We offer a wide array of interest areas so that students can find what kind of work they
enjoy. Minimum age for students is middle school. If student requires 1:1 assistance we will work
to find that level of support. This is not a social group and students have a broad range of skills.
Students are not be paid for the work but the vocational training will take place in "real" settings.
Aquatic Therapy
We offer individual, dyad, and small group Aquatic Therapy lessons . We follow the Red Cross
curriculum which moves through levels based on skill mastery. Water skills such as putting your
face in the water, blowing bubbles, floating, treading water, and the freestyle stroke are but a few
of the skills to master. Life skills such as putting on a bathing suit and applying sunscreen are
also be incorporated into the lessons.
Adapted Physical Fitness and Wellness Program
People with autism may not have fully developed gross motor skills and may truly benefit from
gross motor therapies to help them overcome challenges with body awareness, sensory
over-stimulation, muscle weakness, and impaired balance. Gross motor therapies can help a
person with autism develop basic living skills, as well as skills needed for play, social interaction,
and mobility. Gross motor skills also tie in with fine motor skills. The ability for a person to feed
himself with a spoon or fork starts with the gross motor skills to manipulate the arm muscles.
This program focuses on gross motor and will include various physical activities and exercises to
do for all age groups and levels. The program also focuses on basic movements for the children
to be comfortable and aware of their body and how it moves. A few activities would include
walking on toes, heels, hoping on one leg, hoping alternating legs, wheel-barrel, crab walk, then
gradually moving into hand-eye coordination activities and balancing. Wellness is incorporated
through trying healthy snacks and discussing healthy lifestyles. The instructor is Miss Erin, who
is a kinesiology graduate.
We will offer 2 sessions. The first will be for Elementary aged students from 5:30-6:30 and the
second will be for MS/HS students from 6:30-7:30. Classes will be held on Wednesdays
beginning Jan. 4. This session will run for 8 weeks ending Feb. 29th.
Siblings Programs
Mrs. Stephanie that she will be taking over the Siblings Program. The main focus will be on
allowing the siblings of our students a time and a place to feel like they are #1. We will encourage
the siblings to share feelings with others who have a common understanding of what it is like to
have a sibling with a disability. Some of those experiences will be positive and some will be
negative. We want them to say whatever is on their minds. Mrs Steph will use a variety of
activities and therapeutic techniques in working with the group. She is very creative in the arts
(art, music, drama) and loves the outdoors/nature.
We are planning on having the groups on Friday evenings from 5:00-7:00. We will initially look to
offer the group every other month. If there is a high response rate we will consider allowing the
group to meet monthly. We would like to begin the program in November. I will let you know ASAP
of the date we decide. Cost for the group will be $25 per sibling. We would like all participants to
be of at least Kindergarten age. Please let TAP know if you are interested.
Art Therapy
In this program we learn through play. Our process of creation leads us towards self discovery,
experimentation, and tactile tolerance, but doesn't always result in "something to take home."
Over the 10 week course the children are introduced and encouraged to use different materials
as a new form of communication and gain a greater sense of accomplishment. Our areas of
development and focus include: imagination, abstract thinking, flexibility, fine motor skills, spatial
skills, and sensory processing.
Vocational Training
This classes focuses on job skills out in the "real world" with a heavy emphasis on executive
function skills. These are the skills that generally affect students on the autism spectrum the most
in the work environment. Specifically, these skills are initiating a task, staying on task, shifting
between tasks, working memory, emotional control, flexibility and self monitoring. Other important
work skills such as dressing appropriately, displaying appropriate hygiene and social skills with
others will be addressed as well. Work will be on an 8 week rotation with different sites in our
area. We offer a wide array of interest areas so that students can find what kind of work they
enjoy. Minimum age for students is middle school. If student requires 1:1 assistance we will work
to find that level of support. This is not a social group and students have a broad range of skills.
Students are not be paid for the work but the vocational training will take place in "real" settings.
Aquatic Therapy
We offer individual, dyad, and small group Aquatic Therapy lessons . We follow the Red Cross
curriculum which moves through levels based on skill mastery. Water skills such as putting your
face in the water, blowing bubbles, floating, treading water, and the freestyle stroke are but a few
of the skills to master. Life skills such as putting on a bathing suit and applying sunscreen are
also be incorporated into the lessons.
Adapted Physical Fitness and Wellness Program
People with autism may not have fully developed gross motor skills and may truly benefit from
gross motor therapies to help them overcome challenges with body awareness, sensory
over-stimulation, muscle weakness, and impaired balance. Gross motor therapies can help a
person with autism develop basic living skills, as well as skills needed for play, social interaction,
and mobility. Gross motor skills also tie in with fine motor skills. The ability for a person to feed
himself with a spoon or fork starts with the gross motor skills to manipulate the arm muscles.
This program focuses on gross motor and will include various physical activities and exercises to
do for all age groups and levels. The program also focuses on basic movements for the children
to be comfortable and aware of their body and how it moves. A few activities would include
walking on toes, heels, hoping on one leg, hoping alternating legs, wheel-barrel, crab walk, then
gradually moving into hand-eye coordination activities and balancing. Wellness is incorporated
through trying healthy snacks and discussing healthy lifestyles. The instructor is Miss Erin, who
is a kinesiology graduate.
We will offer 2 sessions. The first will be for Elementary aged students from 5:30-6:30 and the
second will be for MS/HS students from 6:30-7:30. Classes will be held on Wednesdays
beginning Jan. 4. This session will run for 8 weeks ending Feb. 29th.
Siblings Programs
Mrs. Stephanie that she will be taking over the Siblings Program. The main focus will be on
allowing the siblings of our students a time and a place to feel like they are #1. We will encourage
the siblings to share feelings with others who have a common understanding of what it is like to
have a sibling with a disability. Some of those experiences will be positive and some will be
negative. We want them to say whatever is on their minds. Mrs Steph will use a variety of
activities and therapeutic techniques in working with the group. She is very creative in the arts
(art, music, drama) and loves the outdoors/nature.
We are planning on having the groups on Friday evenings from 5:00-7:00. We will initially look to
offer the group every other month. If there is a high response rate we will consider allowing the
group to meet monthly. We would like to begin the program in November. I will let you know ASAP
of the date we decide. Cost for the group will be $25 per sibling. We would like all participants to
be of at least Kindergarten age. Please let TAP know if you are interested.
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