Kids 4 Kids
Kids 4 Kids offers a unique, local autism program designed to support children and youth with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) to feel included, understood, and safe in their communities.
The Kids 4 Kids program aims to increase awareness of autism among students in elementary schools from Grade 1-6. With greater knowledge of autism, our typical children will understand the capabilities children with autism have as well as some of the challenges they face. This will encourage and foster a safe and effective interaction thereby helping children of autism grow in an inclusive and embracing community. By increasing students’ acceptance of differences, Kids 4 Kids creates a more inclusive classroom and overall sense of community.
Why Kids 4 Kids?
Children on the autism spectrum are often excluded in schools, unable to make friends with peers, leaving them isolated and shunned from their communities.
This amplifies myths and reinforces false stereotypes such as children on the autism spectrum are not interested in socializing. Contrary to that, students on the spectrum often have the desire to interact with others and build relationships but do not have the social skills to engage appropriately or may be overwhelmed by the process.
When students are unaware of a disability, they frequently attribute atypical social behaviors to personal choices. A classmate, for example, may interpret a lack of eye contact as dismissive or unvalued behavior rather than a typical behavioral characteristic of autism.
Our Kids for Kids project addresses these issues and aims to familiarize typical children with the concept of autism, fostering a clear and informed understanding of the disability and its manifestations in school settings. This increased understanding will promote compassion and inclusion in a classroom environment ultimately helping children on the spectrum to better manage their social disabilities and become productive segments able to contribute to our country’s prosperity instead of being regarded as an added burden or liability.
Our Approach
