treatment of individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorders
It was Spirit Week here at NSSA! The last week before program breaks we like to have a little fun and dress in a different theme for each day.
Monday was Character Day, where students, clients and staff dress wear a logo tee representing a favorite character.
Everyone’s favorite, Tie Dye Day, was Tuesday.
Some recreation time at Adult Services.
S. using the postage meter to finish the Adventureland flyer mailing. Are you coming? It’s Friday, September 28, from 6:30-9:30pm.
Through a grant awarded by Autism Speaks, NSSA was able to host a two-day workshop entitled Applied Behavior Analysis and Autism Spectrum Disorders for School District personnel from Long Island school districts.
R. washing veggies for the Salad Shoppe.
Adults do a yoga class for some relaxation.
Classroom 1 went to an end-of-year party at a classmate’s house!
And a last day of summer program field trip to Adventureland for some adult clients.
We had a great, active summer here at NSSA and now it’s time for a program break. Hope everyone enjoys their time off…and we’ll see you back here in September!
As part of its outreach to the greater autism community, NSSA hosts A Special Night for Our Special Kids twice yearly at Adventureland in Farmingdale. NSSA tries to hold the spring and autumn events during program breaks to give our guests with autism and their families something to look forward to when there are few structured activities available.
In spite of challenging weather, we welcomed families into the park this past April 25 for an evening of fun.
Many families with a child with autism find the prospect of attending an amusement park on a typical evening extremely daunting. Long lines and crowds can be especially challenging for these families. During NSSA’s events, Adventureland is closed to the general public and made available to people with autism and their friends and families. On these special evenings, the amusement park is at reduced capacity. The shorter waiting times for rides make it much easier for our friends with autism and more manageable for their families. Since the park is filled with people who understand autism, the atmosphere is very relaxed and caring. We hear over and over again that it is only during the NSSA events that many of these families would even consider going to an amusement park as a family.
Our next Special Night for Our Special Kids at Adventureland will take place Friday, Sept. 16, 2016, 6:30-9:30pm. (Rain Date: Thursday, Sept. 22
6:30-9:30). We hope to see you there!
After 23 years, Adventureland is saying goodbye to their Hurricane roller coaster. They held a contest called Last Ride for a Cause in which the general public could place a vote by making a donation to one of two local charities – and NSSA was one of them. This donation automatically entered donors to win a seat on the actual last ride of the beloved roller coaster and the top 6 donors per charity were guaranteed a seat on the ride.
NSSA got the most donations and was declared the winner so some of our students, staff and families were there to represent on October 13 at Adventureland, the day of the very last run ever of the Hurricane roller coaster.
Kids and adults waited excitedly to board the coaster…
They board the ride and begin the first ascent….
WHEEEEEEE!!!!!!!
At the end, riders were presented with framed NSSA/Adventureland commemorative prints as a souvenir of their ride.
And NSSA got a generous donation from donors who entered the contest.
Thank you donors, and thank you Adventureland for letting NSSA be part of of your Last Ride for a Cause contest.
As part of its outreach to the greater autism community, NSSA hosts A Special Night for Our Special Kids twice a year at Adventureland in Farmingdale, NY.
Many families with a child with autism find the prospect of attending an amusement park on a typical evening extremely daunting. Long lines and crowds can be especially challenging for these families. During NSSA’s events, Adventureland is closed to the general public and made available to people with autism and their friends and families. On these special evenings, the amusement park is at reduced capacity. The shorter waiting times for rides make it much easier for our friends with autism and more manageable for their families. Since the park is filled with people who understand autism, the atmosphere is very relaxed and caring. We hear over and over again that it is only during the NSSA events that many of these families would even consider going to an amusement park as a family.
Our most recent event was Friday, September 26, and it was a perfect night – warm and clear-skied…and as a result it was the most well-attended Adventureland event we’ve ever had!
But even with so many attendees there was still little to no waiting for rides and games.
Families and friends enjoyed time together…
rides….
…arcade games…
and just hanging out.
(not to mention terrorizing the ticket sellers!!!)
Stay tuned for the date of our spring 2015 Adventureland event!