Inclusion Based After School Program for Children with Autism
The Autism Foundation of the Carolinas (AFC) is proud to announce the expansion of Charlotte’s only inclusion based after school program for children with autism. This program serves a significant void in our community. Currently, 1 in 73 children in the Charlotte Mecklenburg School (CMS) system are diagnosed with autism. The after school program is critical to meeting the needs of families such as these who are affected by autism. The program offers an affordable therapeutic environment for children and permits their caregivers to continue to work.
The benefits of this program reach well beyond the children and families dealing with autism. In pairing each affected child with both a typical peer and a high school volunteer, we facilitate opportunities to teach patience, tolerance, acceptance and understanding. Ultimately, this program is about changing both the lives of those affected by autism and those who would not typically have this unique experience.
Program Specifics
The mission of the after school program is to provide a safe, nurturing and enriching environment. The program is offered to students in kindergarten through 5th grade who are diagnosed as mild to moderate on the autism spectrum. Operational hours are 2pm to 6pm, Monday through Thursday, during the school year. The focus is to enhance independent functional living and self-management skills by presenting opportunities for socialization, communication and self-directed choice within each activity during the day.
- Balance of educational support and recreational activities
- Tailored curriculum for each child given its ratio of 1 teacher to every 3 participants.
- Focus on independent functional living skills and self-management skills.
- Self-directed choice in a relaxing environment.
- Incorporation of art, science, music, cooking and gardening
- Cost-effective, therapeutic and FUN (less than $6 per hour)
Daily After School Program Schedule
Inclusion Opportunity- Recreational play with children in the Y’s typical after school program
- If needed, quiet place or structured play area to transition from the school day
- Smaller group setting
- Structured environment to work on life skills
- Emphasis on communication and socialization
- Supervised reverse inclusion for those with academic homework assignments
- One on one with staff for those working on IEP or parent directed goals
- Reverse inclusion
- Smaller group setting
- Specials include:* Art * Science * Music * Cooking * Gardening *
- Recreational play with children in the Y’s typical after school program. If needed, quiet place or structured play area to relax from the day’s activities
Contact Information
Please contact Sarah Nolin, AFC Program Director for more information (including employment opportunities).
afterschool@autismcarolinas.org or (704) 776-1232
