For the second time this winter, Niagara College and Bethesda’s Children and Youth Services are hosting a fun-filled experience for children with autism spectrum disorder or an intellectual or developmental disability.
Through the collaboration, 25 children were welcomed to the Simplii Financial Athletic Centre at NC’s Welland Campus on February 16, a PA Day for school-aged kids, and about 30 to 40 children are expected at the next event on March 15 during March Break.
The experience features barrier-free games and activities led by 49 students from NC’s Educational Assistance and Adult Supports (EA&AS) program as part of their Recreation for Inclusive Communities (RECL1221) course, taught by School of Community Services Professor Ann Marie Raos.
Raos’ course centres on the importance of play for people of all ages – something that adults lose sight of over time. “One of the biggest things that we forget to do as an adult, is to play. So how can you support someone with playing if you’ve forgotten how to play yourself?” she said.
From pool noodle and hand hockey, modified curling and badminton to a popular parachute game in the centre of the gym, a total of 20 stations offer the children an opportunity to engage in active play, while providing a valuable hands-on learning experience for students.
“This is a great opportunity for the students to use what they’ve learned in class in terms of positive reinforcement, redirections, modifications and accommodations, so that everyone can participate in the activities,” said Raos, whose students are being taught how to support children and adults with unique needs.
The initiative, which earned an 84 per cent parent satisfaction rating after the first event, is also being supported by students from the Autism and Behavioural Science (ABS) program.
“This experience is allowing our students to work collaboratively with students from the EA-AS program; applying what they’ve learned about the importance of adaptability, inclusivity, and team work when working with diverse populations,” said ABS Program Coordinator and Professor Taryn Walsh, who involved 11 of her students at the February event.
Bethesda, a longstanding community partner of the College, initiated this latest collaboration with the School of Community Services to add to the supportive opportunities offered to the families they serve.
“These programs really help make things more inclusive and help everyone in the community understand that there’s different ways to communicate, that there’s different ways that children can engage in the world,” said Melissa Sullivan, Manager of Children and Youth Services at Bethesda.
The experience has benefits for both the children and their parents or caregivers. It allows parents and caregivers the break and time they need to focus on their own emotional well-being and gives them personal time that is often very limited for those caring for children with intellectual and/or developmental disabilities.
For the children, it allows for an opportunity to socialize, build on skills and work with professionals who will provide them with an afternoon of movement tailored to their needs.
Anjana, whose five-year-old son Joseph participated in the Feb. 16 event, appreciated the chance for her son to socialize with other children in the community. She was able to watch her son participate from a viewing area on campus along with other parents.
“Today was an opportunity for my son to explore the different activities and interact with other kids,” she said. “The students are so kind and everyone is happy. It’s our first time at Niagara College and we feel safe when we are here.”
Bethesda’s Chief Executive Officer, Paul McGowan, applauded the unique partnership.
“As an organization Bethesda is extremely happy to be partnering with Niagara College, especially for something that helps enhance the skills of students and ultimately helps children and families,” said McGowan. “We look forward to working together on future collaborations.”
The initiative is also a point of pride for Jaclyn Frail, NC’s Associate Dean, School of Community Services, who highlighted the benefits for NC students.
“These invaluable collaborations offer our students not only the chance to apply their classroom learning but also to gain hands-on experience that fosters personal and professional growth, ultimately enhancing their educational journey,” said Frail.
For first-year EA&AS student Brittney Bullard Higgs, the opportunity to work with young children was a valuable experience that reaffirmed her career path.
“At the first event, I was concerned about how many people would be watching us. The thought of ‘what if I do not do this right,’ or ‘will my participant enjoy their time with me?'” said Bullard Higgs.
“When I walked into the gym and met my participant, I was reminded of everything my professors had taught us. In the end, the experience was nothing short of incredible. It felt like I was born to do this.”
Bullard Higgs is looking forward to the second event. “This next event has me excited; my mind is at ease, and I am ready to have a good time,” she said.
The PA Day and March Break events on Feb. 16 and Mar. 15 were offered to children between the ages of four and 13 who are supported by Bethesda’s Children and Youth Services. Pre-registration was required for both events as spaces were limited.
“We just love working with Niagara College and hope that there’s more opportunities for partnership in the future,” added Sullivan.
On March 11, Raos and Sullivan spoke about the partnership with Walter Sendzik from Newstalk 610 CKTB. Listen to the radio segment here.
