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Tour de ASD Athletes

ASD Athletes is a 501c3 non-profit organization and we are very excited about our debut to the general public! We need your help as much as possible to spread the word about the cause behind our charity foundation, to promote and support physical activity opportunities for the ASD community. Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD) are a brain disorder that affects communication skills, social skills, and learning ability. There is a wide range of athletic ability in this community and our goal is to give everyone the same opportunity to be active by providing a safe and supportive vehicle for reaching their potential.

"I do not know anyone who has got to the top without hard work. That is the recipe. It will not always get you to the top, but should get you pretty near."

The Road Ahead

ASD Athletes is excited to present our roadmap for the future. As a 501c3 non-profit organization, we are passionate about paving the way to bringing wellness and life skills opportunities to the doors of the Autism Community through physical activity. Our services will be two-fold: 

  1. providing a directory of approved resources offering a physical activity, recreation, or sport.
  2. providing "Field Day" community events, showcasing these approved resources and offering mini-camps in select disciplines.

 

To be considered "approved," each resource must have experience in working with special needs persons, specifically with autism. The caretaker, athlete, and resource are the legs of the three-legged stool for successIn order for parents and caretakers to effectively evaluate which resources to choose for their loved ones, it is imperative that there is a standard yardstick with which each resource must comply. We want to assure parents and caretakers can trust these programs in their ability to be proactive in providing opportunities for the athletes and to appropriately handle situations that may arise in a manner that maintains confidence among all stakeholders. This confidence is key. The caretaker, athlete, and resource are the legs of the three-legged stool for success.

Our focus in the next year is education. ASD Athletes is proud to announce its fiscal support of the Autism Spectrum Wellness Alliance in its Certification Project. Among a series of specialized wellness certifications to be developed, The Alliance has agreed to create a curriculum for ASD Athletes that will allow individuals to be ASWA Certified in the fitness arena. This curriculum will be available nation-wide which will enable ASD Athletes to provide our platinum-standard directory and events to Autism Communities across the Unites States within 3-5 years. Included in the curriculum will be guidelines for meeting the ASWA Compliant requirements for a program to be listed in the ASD Athletes Directory and to participate in the ASD Athletes Field Day events.

The ASWA Certification Project committee will be led by chairman, Eric ChessenEric Chessen with athlete, M.S., YCS, a Fitness Specialist and the Founder of Autism Fitness. He and his committee have extensive knowledge through experience and training with wellness and the autism population. For nearly a decade, Eric has been integrating fitness programs for young individuals on the autism spectrum. In addition to working with his athletes, Eric consults and lectures across the country. His Autism Fitness Initiative seminars are attended by parents, educators, related service providers, and fitness professionals dedicated to enhancing the optimal development of the children with whom they work. Eric is the creator of the Beyond Boundaries DVD series, Co-developer of the forthcoming IYCA Special Needs CEU curriculum, and a contributing columnist to leading autism publications including Spectrum Magazine and The Autism @ Home Series. More information is avialable on his main site www.AUTISMFITNESS.com and his blog www.ERICCHESSEN.com.

The success of this project is vital to fulfilling ASD Athletes' desire to raise the bar in autism awareness, education, and wellness. Our upcoming campaigning effort will be dedicated to supporting and funding this project. Our goal is to offer the first of 4 levels this winter. Donations will be accepted at anytime for this project by simply adding "ASWA Certification Project" to the memo field of your check or paypal submission.

Please make payable to "ASD Athletes" and mail to:

Jennifer Higgins
Attn: ASWA Certification Project
PO Box 24432
Knoxville, TN 37933-2432

For more information, please feel free to contact us.

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