On March 20, students from Niagara College’s Educational Assistance and Adult Supports (EA&AS) program welcomed children living with autism spectrum disorder or an intellectual and/or developmental disability to the Simplii Financial Athletic Centre at NC’s Welland Campus for an afternoon of recreational activities designed to encourage play, connection and fun.
Organized in partnership with Bethesda’s Children and Youth Services team, the Niagara College Inclusive Community Engagement event marked the third time students from the College’s School of Community Services have offered programming to school-aged children during school breaks, providing additional support for the families served by Bethesda.
The event is tied to the EA&AS course RECL 1221 – Recreation for Inclusive Communities – which is designed to equip students with the knowledge, skills and strategies necessary to promote inclusivity through active living and recreational activities
“Opportunities like this allow our students to support children and families in the community while gaining hands-on experience working with the population they will serve in their careers,” said Ann Marie Raos, Professor in the EA&AS program. “It’s a chance for them to apply what they’ve learned about accommodation, modification and behaviour management in a real-world setting while focusing on something incredibly important for development — play.”
The experience featured 20 student-led activity stations, including horseshoe toss, bowling and parachute games. Each child was paired with an NC student who supported them through the activities.
Students were encouraged to prioritize child-led play, adapting activities based on each child’s interests. In preparation for the event, students received training on each activity and learned how to modify games to ensure they remained accessible and enjoyable.
“We talk a lot about offering choices and building trust,” said Raos. “Instead of telling a child what they have to do, we give them options and let them decide where they’d like to go. Once they feel comfortable, the connection builds quickly and the experience becomes positive for everyone.”
Students from NC’s Autism and Behavioural Science (ABS) program also participated in the day, working alongside EA&AS students to help create a welcoming and barrier-free environment. ABS students provided additional support for participants who required more individualized assistance, while staff from Bethesda available to lend a helping hand.
For Niagara College students, the day provided an opportunity to apply classroom learning in a real-world environment while building connections with community partners and the population they will support after graduation.
Bethesda, a longstanding community partner of the College, initiated the collaboration with the School of Community Services two years ago as a way to expand supportive programming available to the families they serve.
“This partnership strengthens our ability to deliver meaningful, individualized experiences for each child attending, while also creating valuable, hands-on learning opportunities for Niagara College students. We are deeply appreciative of the students’ commitment, innovative thinking, and the impact they bring to this program,” said, Alyson Wilson, Director of Children and Youth Services at Bethesda.
By bringing students and community partners together, the March Break event continues to strengthen the partnership while ensuring children have access to inclusive, supportive spaces where they can learn, play and thrive.
