During this unprecedented global crisis, your local autism support organization is here to help decrease the isolation that is being felt by you - our member families. We will stay connected and engaged with you, utilizing technology and creativity. And, everything we are offering to support individuals and families during this challenging time is provided free of charge. We are all in this together, and together we will fly strong.

AlphaU is a social skills class designed for older teens and young adults (ages 16+) to meet together to learn and gain confidence through social activities and engaging in comprehensive lesson plans.

Art is a fun and interactive class that allows participants with being creative as much as they want! Participants will have the opportunity to learn a variety of arts and crafts with a new artist as the theme each week. Work alongside our instructor as they demonstrate and instruct participants through the entire process. Art mediums including drawing, painting, and other creative content, are loosely structured to allow for creativity and exploration in this fun opportunity!

Youth Art & Music is a class in which individuals (ages 6-12) can build on their strengths through engaging in artistic and musical expression. Build on your music skill through movement, dance, singing, and utilizing instruments. Practice various art mediums including drawing, painting, and other creative content. Build relationships with peers in this fun, engaging, and creative atmosphere!

Arts and Crafts is a fun and interactive virtual class that allows participants with being creative as much as they want! Participants will have the opportunity to learn a variety of arts and crafts that can be made from supplies around their own home! Work alongside our instructor as they demonstrate and instruct participants through the entire process. Drawing, painting, and other creative content will be explored in this fun opportunity!

AU Bowling is designed for youth (ages 8-12), teens (ages 13 - 17), and adults (ages 18+) to build on their social skills in the community through fun, exercise, and fitness.

AU Fit provides a combination of strength training and cardiovascular conditioning. Each class, participant’s complete unique workout routines as a group, with options to tailor workouts to every individual. Our combination of innovative equipment and traditional fitness activities are modified to encourage participation in movement activities, build confidence, and achieve fitness goals.

Baking Time is designed for youth and young adults (ages 10+) who would like to learn basic baking and executive functioning skills while socializing with peers. Participants will also learn to safely handle various kitchen equipment and utensils. The focus of this class is to have fun while baking with friends!

Baking Time is a fun and interactive virtual class that introduces baking concepts and kitchen safety. Participants in this class will learn to follow a recipe to make items such as cookies, brownies, cupcakes, etc. Executive functioning skills are emphasized to have participants plan recipes and steps to accomplish a task.

Basketball Skills and Drills is a class designed to teach youth & teen aged boys & girls (ages 8+) the basic fundamentals of basketball.

Beginner Fitness is a class designed to explore a wide variety of fitness experiences. This fitness experience is best suited for individuals that are looking a very basic exposure to movement and fitness. Beginner Fitness is a great place for individuals that need more support and/or more motivation to engage in physical activities.

Board Gamers works on social skills and executive functioning designed by utilizing common interest to build social skills and communication with peers (Ages 8+).

Body Awareness is a class that teaches participants (ages 13+) to explore ways to manage energy levels and stress using calming based solutions to build skills.

Boys Zone is a social skills class designed for boys (ages 6-12) to meet together to learn and gain confidence through social activities and engaging in comprehensive lesson plans.

Learn the basics of the piano keys, musical alphabet, notes, and rhythms! Grow in your knowledge of fundamental musical skills, good practice habits, and skills to work towards a performance. Instructors work one-on-one to support individuals in staying motivated and focused to achieve success. Each piano lesson is 30 minutes in length and can be completed in-person or virtual.

Cooking with Friends is a class designed for young adults (ages 18+) who are working to independently cook for themselves as they prepare to live on their own. Participants must be able to safely handle various kitchen equipment and utensils with very minimal support and light supervision.

Drum it Up is a fun and interactive class focused on learning the drums! Individuals will also build on their social, communication, and engagement skills while utilizing music and drums. Lesson plans not only teach the essence of being a drummer, it also teaches time management, practice habits, basic music skills, and so much more. Drum it Up is a great opportunity to enjoy fun activities with peers while learning how to play music!

Exploring Sensations is a class set up in an environment that allows participants to be exposed to situations in a comfortable, relaxed setting. Equipment is set up thoughtfully to encourage exploration of environments and provides more learning opportunities than a home or gym. The classes are unstructured and staff guide participants through activities at their own pace. Staff instruct participants to take risks with gaining their independence safely navigating the variety of equipment while encouraging them to build their self-esteem and confidence in their abilities

Family Swim provides Families the opportunity to experience the Rochester Institute of Technology's Leisure pool together and in a fun and safe setting.

Join us for an interactive virtual opportunity to have fun with fitness. Our sessions will focus on muscular and cardiovascular endurance. The circuit training structure will help increase each participant’s activity level with the use of exercise bands and body weight movements.

Girl Power is a social skills class designed for girls (ages 6-12) to meet together to learn and gain confidence through social activities and engaging in comprehensive lesson plans.

Learn the basics of guitar strings, strumming, fretting, playing chords, reading notes/tab, and rhythms! Grow in your knowledge of fundamental music skills and work towards a performance. This class is for individuals interested in learning beginner and intermediate guitar. Instructors work one-on-one to support individuals in staying motivated and focused to achieve success. Each guitar lesson is 30 minutes in length and can be completed in-person or virtual.

This interactive virtual class combines yoga poses, breathing and relaxation techniques, and strategies to leave participants feeling calm, confident, and more aware of their bodies and minds. Participants will want to be wearing comfortable clothes, and have space to perform yoga poses and lay on the floor.

Remote Minecraft will allow participants to access AU's Minecraft world from the comfort of their own home and instantly connect with friends all over the community. Minecraft is a class designed for participants to use interests in Minecraft to improve computer skills and to engage in socialization and peer relationship development skills in a non-threatening way. Skills and strategies for turn-taking, working collaboratively, and social problem solving will be targeted through team projects, missions, and goals. Staff will support participants as much or as little as needed, challenging them to navigate Minecraft, practice programming skills, and improve technology savvy. To provide additional social opportunities, participants will be offered to utilize the Discord Application throughout Remote Minecraft classes. The Discord Application allows participants to talk with each other verbally instead of messaging in the actual game!

Motion Dynamics is a fun, positive and energetic class! In Motion Dynamics we will stretch, move and have fun. You will learn skills in dance, yoga, Pilates and body awareness. See how learning and applying these skills will benefit all aspects of your life! Participants are encouraged to wear comfortable clothes, and will be provided a yoga mat to use during class as well as plenty of space to move and groove!

Motion Dynamics is a fun, positive and energetic virtual class! In Motion Dynamics we will stretch, move and have fun. You will learn skills in dance, yoga, Pilates and body awareness. See how learning and applying these skills will benefit all aspects of your life! Participants are encouraged to wear comfortable clothes and have plenty of space to move and groove!

Join this exciting and interactive class to learn and build on your music and movement skills! Utilizing instruments to explore different sounds. Dance will allow you to get moving and learn how your body responds to music. Music and Movement also fosters the opportunity to connect and communicate with your peers!

Join this exciting and interactive virtual class to learn and build on your music and movement skills! Utilizing instruments to explore different sounds. Dance will allow you to get moving and learn how your body responds to music. Music and Movement also fosters the opportunity to connect and communicate with your peers!

Express yourself and grow your confidence through learning skills associated with musical theatre: singing, acting, and movement/choreography! Experience how to rehearse, direct, choreograph, and perform scenes and musical numbers from the Broadway/musical theatre genre. Build on your teamwork and leadership skills by working with others in a group setting. This class features a performance on the last day of class!

Discover your natural musicality in Musician Inside Us All! Explore a variety of instruments and musical experiences; from playing instruments, to dancing, listening to music, singing, and songwriting. Grow your fundamental music skills through musical play. Instructors work one-on-one to support individuals in staying motivated and focused to achieve success. Each lesson is 30 minutes in length and can be completed in-person or virtual.

Share your stories, questions, and feelings about being a parent of a child with ASD. These meet-ups are for parents to connect with other parents going through the same challenges and joys that autism brings. Parents share success stories and give advice to those who are struggling. We hope you are able to join us at these meet-ups to develop an invaluable network of support. If you have questions, please contact Kelly Conlon at navigator@autismup.org.

EFFECTIVE [ih-fek-tiv] adjective 1. adequate to accomplish a purpose; producing the intended or expected result.

Building on Priorities Associated with Parenting a Autistic Child

Personal training sessions tailored to the individual fitness needs and goals of the participant.

Running Performance is a class designed to teach individuals (ages 8+) the basic fundamentals of running while having fun! Class will include a dynamic warm-up, cool down, strength training and mobility. Together we will practice the skills learned with fun and interactive activities. All you need is a pair of shoes to set yourself up for success!

​SibShop is a class for special needs siblings to engage in thought provoking conversations, play games with peers, and other fun activities. SibShops are based on the award winning program developed by Don Meyer. During these classes siblings get to meet other siblings and have fun while talking about the good and not-so-good parts of having a sibling with special needs. These classes will help siblings learn more about themselves and the relationship with their sibling. Our groups are for ages 6-10 and 11-15. These classes can help other siblings learn how to handle situations by their peers. We talk about the good times, the challenging times, the embarrassing times and the prideful times. We have an educational component that teaches more about the implications of disabilities as well as learn to see things from their sibling’s perspective.

AutismUp Soccer Skills & Drills is a class designed to teach individuals (ages 8+) the basic fundamentals of soccer with fun and engaging activities. Class focuses on coordination and ball handling such as passing, dribbling and shooting goals. The goal of this program is to have fun building confidence and fitness while developing your soccer skills!

This fun and interactive virtual class will include lesson driven discussions and activities tailored to age-appropriate skill levels. The focus is to learn relationship-building, problem-solving, executive functioning, while utilizing these skills with peers during class and in the community. Social Skills with Friends is a great way to build on your engagement and development skills in a safe and fun atmosphere.

Social Skills with Friends is a fun and interactive virtual class allowing opportunities to develop social skills needed to participate in small groups through lesson driven games and activities. Social communication, joint-attention, and turn taking skills are the focus of this group. The program develops skills and strategies for group participation and managing social interactions. Social Skills with Friends is a great way to build your engagement and development skills in a safe and fun atmosphere.

Staying Connected is a social skills class designed for adults (ages 30+) to meet together to learn and gain confidence through social activities and engaging in comprehensive lesson plans.

The Summer Communication Boot Camp at AutismUp is a 6 week long collaborative speech program developed for individuals 16+ years old who are nonverbal or have limited verbal skills. Participants should already use or be interested in trialing an Augmentative Alternative Communication (AAC) device. Qualified participants will be paired one-on-one with a graduate student from the Nazareth College Communications Sciences and Disorders program. The program will be broken up into three intensive hour-long blocks: individual focused teaching, group practice, and individual review and skill reinforcement. At the end of the program, participants will be able to leave with greater AAC skills, an update to their current system, or a recommendation for a long-term system that can be implemented with their Speech and Language Pathologist. SPACE IS LIMITED.

Welcome to "Survival Saturday" Remote Minecraft! Participants will have access AU's Minecraft world from the comfort of their own home and instantly connect with friends all over the community. Minecraft is a class designed for participants to use interests in Minecraft to improve computer skills and to engage in socialization and peer relationship development skills in a non-threatening way. Skills and strategies for turn-taking, working collaboratively, and social problem solving will be targeted through team projects, missions, and goals. Staff will support participants as much or as little as needed, challenging them to navigate Minecraft, practice programming skills, and improve technology savvy. To provide additional social opportunities, participants will be offered to utilize the Discord Application throughout Remote Minecraft classes. The Discord Application allows participants to talk with each other verbally instead of messaging in the actual game! Our Minecraft Survival Saturdays will take place in a new world separate from the other virtual world where participants will be ONLY in survival mode. They can work together to build and secure food or venture out and try to survive alone. Mobs can and will spawn in caves and during the night so craft a hut and a bed and try to survive till morning! There is the availability for player vs. player between participants with consent from both parties, but if you do not want to engage in player vs. player it's not required.

Teen Kinect is a social skills class designed for older teens (ages 12-15) to meet together to learn and gain confidence through social activities and engaging in comprehensive lesson plans.

Teen/Young Adult Minecraft is a class designed to strengthen Minecraft development while promoting social and communication skills with peers (ages 13+).

Vision in Motion is a class for participants (ages 3+) with its primary focus being visual exploration through a variety of structures movements, exercises and play activities.

Discover your innate musicality and creativity while learning how to express yourself through singing! Learn the fundamentals of vocal technique and increase your vocal skills and repertoire. Instructors work one-on-one to support individuals in staying motivated and focused to achieve success. Each voice lesson is 30 minutes in length and can be completed in-person or virtual.

Youth Minecraft is a class designed to strengthen Minecraft development while promoting social and communication skills with peers (ages 7-12).