AUTISM SERVICES INCORPORATED OF WINDSOR AND ESSEX COUNTY
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Mission Statement
Our mission is to provide individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) with a specialized program to enable them to reach their potential while providing family support, and to share information and resources with the Windsor Essex Community.
About This Cause
Autism Services Incorporated (ASI) is a locally run charity that provides a unique summer program for children and youth with Autism Spectrum Disorders in Windsor and Essex County. Since 1984, numerous individuals and families have benefited from this exceptional program now called the Bruce Awad Summer Program. The Bruce Awad Summer Program (BASP) is for school-aged individuals from 6 to 21 years, with high needs autism spectrum disorders (ASD) and has been running every summer since 1984. Currently, it runs for six weeks in July and August, 9am to 3pm Monday through Friday at two school locations -- one in the city of Windsor and one in the town of Essex. The program is structured and offers students one-to-one support in a school setting with focus on communication, social skills, behavior management and community inclusion. Morning activities are spent in the classrooms while afternoon activities include community outings, swimming three times per week, life skills and other recreational activities. In 2018, the program supported 63 students. Another important aspect of the program is that we provide much needed summertime respite for the families of the students we support. We are the only program that offers specialized support during the summer for children with autism in the Windsor-Essex area. The program occurs over the summer break and like other typical school-aged children, it is a time to experience fun, games and adventure. The children in the BASP do not have many options for this type of experience due to their unique behaviors, high needs and the necessary support required for their safety. At the BASP we aim to provide this fun part of summer by regularly visiting community pools, splash pads and parks as well as taking weekly field trips to area recreation facilities such as animal parks, children’s museums and mini golf to name a few. This recreational component also provides the opportunities for improving community integration and community acceptance. It’s important for individuals with ASD to be out in the community to interact with others and experience everyday life. The more often this is done the more comfortable they become. This helps to overcome isolation and marginalization that often happens to many individuals with ASD and their families. Being visible in the community also increases public awareness of ASD and ultimately leads to community acceptance of individuals with ASD and their special needs. Every year families complete evaluations of the program. Here are some of their comments for the 2018 BASP: • Really impressed with program, patience with my son • My thanks to everyone who have contributed to make this program memorable and enjoyable to all • Outstanding summer program, staff are extremely well trained & knowledgeable in dealing with individuals with autism • Exceeds our expectations, our son loves to go to the program • Fabulous job everyone, awesome experience, love it • Thank you for your hard work, gifted with love • We honestly don’t have the words to express how thankful we are of this program & the amazing staff. This will be bittersweet for us as our son moves on to other adventures & new students experience this wonderful program • Our son learns, grows and gets to feel incredible • Staff did great with using my child’s device for communication. Well done! • Would love to see the program expand past the age of 21 years Families have expressed how confident they feel knowing their children are safe and enjoying their summer. The program has expanded over the years to help accommodate the increasing community needs. Unfortunately, due to financial constraints and the increasing number of individuals with ASD, there is a waiting list to enter the program. Generally families wait 1 to 2 years. There were 20 children on the waitlist for the 2018 program. Financial Details: •The cost of the summer program is approximately $7,500 per person. •Fifty-five percent of program costs are government funded but operating costs have been increasing. As a result, program user fees paid for by families have gone up. •Families pay a fee of $2000 per child. This is approximately twenty-six percent. •Eighty-five percent of the cost of the program is to supply specialized support workers who provide the 1:1 staff to client ratio that is critical to the success of the program. •Another significant cost is for bussing transportation that is required for outings into the community. The cost is approximately $15,000 per summer. Fundraising is necessary to keep this program going. Donations will help maintain the highly structured learning environment which is designed to enhance the individual's skill as well as their quality of life. Our goal is to one day accommodate all individuals who need our services in the Windsor-Essex area. Donations from individuals and corporation giving can help make that happen. Videos of the program can be viewed on our YouTube page here: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC8ZeNr6Oi9nVDspjC3Jwxww