Autism Awareness at Asphalt Green, Where Sports, Fitness, and Play are For All
Learn why and how we’re making sports, fitness, and play accessible to participants of all abilities.
Sports, fitness, and play offer transformative health and wellness benefits for people of all needs, but barriers continue to limit access to high quality athletic and recreational programs for neurodivergent people and people with disabilities.
According to the Aspen Institute’s Project Play Initiative, only 18% of children with autism and other disabilities meet physical activity guidelines, leaving them with a heightened risk of health issues.
For Autism Awareness Month, we’re spreading awareness on some of the many reasons neurodivergent individuals have fewer athletic and recreational opportunities:
- Barriers to Participation: Approximately 70% of autistic individuals face challenges such as sensory sensitivities, motor coordination difficulties, and social barriers that hinder their engagement in sports and exercise.
- Limited Access to Specialized Programs: Programs tailored to accommodate the unique needs of individuals on the autism spectrum are not as prevalent, leading to fewer opportunities for them to engage in physical activities.
- Parents have reported a lack of community-based programs, recreation, and leisure time physical activity opportunities, negative attitudes from staff, staff unwillingness to work with children with autism, difficulties accessing transportation services, and a lack of transportation.
Inclusive Classes at Asphalt Green
In recent years, Asphalt Green has made inclusive classes a critical part of our mission to transform lives and build community through sports, fitness, and play for all. Open to the public and offered year-round, our inclusive classes are led by highly trained staff with personalized instruction, to meet the diverse needs of all participants. Classes include Everyone Plays Basketball, Girls Night Out, Playground Pathways, Inclusive Swim & Gym Adventure, and plenty more, allowing children who lack access to physical activity and education programming to comfortably explore ways to get active.
“Asphalt Green’s adaptive programming is distinguished by our genuine belief in inclusion, ensuring athletes of all abilities thrive in the setting that works best for them—whether through integration into our existing programs or participation in our “Everyone Plays” initiative. Every participant is given the option to disclose an Individualized Education Program (IEP) or support needs, equipping coaches with best practices for supporting athletes in all programs, while the “Everyone Plays” initiative specifically offers small classes individualized to support neurodivergent athletes with higher support needs, allowing Asphalt Green to truly make sports, fitness, and play accessible for all”
– Lauren Madden, Director of Adaptive Programs
Inside Inclusive Classes: Playground Pathways at Asphalt Green
Held weekly at our Upper East Side location, Playground Pathways helps children ages 6-11 develop essential playground skills such as climbing, swinging, balancing, and coordination through play, game, and imagination-based activities. Families of participants complete an intake form in advance, so our dedicated instructors and assistants can provide personalized support to ensure each child can thrive and enjoy each class to the fullest.
“Every child deserves the opportunity to feel strong & boundless within their bodies, confidently taking on the task of conquering the playground or spontaneously joining in a physical game with their peers, secure in knowledge that they can jump, swing, land or run with confidence. Socialization is obviously a cornerstone skill of youth development, so a neurodivergent athlete’s ability to catch & pass a ball, accept an invitation to a spontaneous game of tag or make a friend while swinging on the monkey bars opens a wide arena of social interaction, empowerment and self confidence. Playground Pathways uses its carefully crafted specific exercise program to build confidence & skill, eliminating the anxiety of “can’t”, instead inspiring the excitement of achievement.”
-Stephen Dalton, Playground Pathways Coach
Each session includes warm-ups, skill-building activities, guided practice, and a cool down with reflections, helping all participants get active and learn in a sensory friendly environment.
Sounds like fun? If you’re interested in enrolling your child in our next Playground Pathways class, book your spot below or explore our full list of Inclusive Classes!
