The Indiana Resource Center for Autism (IRCA) does not endorse any particular activity or organization. Parents are advised to investigate opportunities presented to determine the appropriateness of each activity for their family member.
More and more families are checking their local YMCA, Parks and Recreation department, and even private gyms, recreational facilities and local Girl Scout councils and finding that programs have been, or are being, developed for children and/or adults with disabilities. For example, there are martial arts programs available in some communities for individuals with special needs, and there are martial arts programs that include people on the autism spectrum.
Some programs have an “inclusion coordinator” or other staff designated to support children and/or adults with disabilities. You are encouraged to check with various organizations in your community to inquire about their specialized programs and/or supports within existing programs to accommodate children and adults with disabilities, including individuals on the autism spectrum.
Additionally, Special Olympics Indiana might be an option for your family members who have an interest in playing a variety of sports. Special Olympics Indiana provides year-round sports training and athletic competition in over twenty Olympic-type sports for children and adults with disabilities in communities across Indiana. To find out more about Special Olympics Indiana programs, and/or opportunities to get involved in your area, check out their website at https://soindiana.org/ or call 800-742-0612.
Another avenue for locating and pursuing summer camps and programs might be found at your local college or children's museum. Though not designed specifically for children or teens with ASD, some may offer programs which focus on a special interest and/or special talent that matches well with your family member.
All service providers, including summer camps, are now being listed on FINDER.
For those with disabilities and their families, trying to navigate a complex web of services, programs, and other disability-related community resources can be daunting. FINDER provides 24/7 access to community services, is easy to use, and supports first-time users with a step-by-step guide. For more experienced users, it has advanced search features. Regardless of how information is located, search results are immediately available, and can be saved for future use and shared.
Engage with FINDER