Family Support and Recreation
The Virginia Institute of Autism is committed to helping families overcome the challenges of autism. Supporting individuals with autism to be better able to live, work, and play in their communities is a priority for VIA. Programs are designed to help families navigate and connect with local, state and federal resources that may further support their needs. In addition, VIA recognizes that recreation opportunities are needed for individuals with autism in order to lead fulfilling lives.
To learn more about family support and recreation opportunities sponsored by VIA, please contact Peggy Halliday, Director of Outreach, at (434) 923-8252 or phalliday@viaschool.org.
Pathways Social Skills Groups
The Pathways program is for building social skills for children and teens ages 5 to 17 with Asperger Syndrome and those with similar developmental challenges, February 27 – May 7, 2012; contact Julie Patterson at jpatterson@viaschool.org for information.
Yoga Spectrum: A Yoga Class for Children with Autism
This yoga class for children with autism is facilitated by Cynthia Woodring, outreach coordinator at the Virginia Institute of Autism. Cynthia has been teaching yoga since 1995, and is a 500-Hour Level Registered Yoga Teacher with the Yoga Alliance and a certified Phoenix Rising Yoga Therapy Practitioner. She has been using evidence-based teaching strategies with children with ASDs while employed as an instructor, staff trainer, and outreach consultant with the Virginia Institute of Autism since 2003. The class is offered in the afternoons in collaboration with Studio 206.
For more information about Yoga Spectrum, please contact Cynthia Woodring, Outreach Coordinator, at 434-923-8252 or cwoodring@viaschool.org.
Playgroups at the Museum
Want a safe and welcoming place to let your child with autism play? Then join us for an informal 1.5-hour playgroup on Mondays! The Virginia Institute of Autism’s Playgroups at the Museum is where young children with autism can play in an “autism-friendly” environment. Parents, families, and caregivers are encouraged to meet and socialize at the Virginia Discovery Museum in Charlottesville. The Virginia Discovery Museum is typically closed on Mondays so this is a great opportunity for families to enjoy the museum in a relaxed environment. The cost is free!
Playgroups in the Museum will meet Mondays from 10:30 am-12:00 pm beginning November 28, 2011. There will be no Playgroup sessions on December 26, 2011 and January 2, 2012.
Co-hosted by Peggy Halliday, VIA Director of Outreach, and Dr. Annie McLaughlin these informal playgroups will give families a chance to learn more about how they can help their child with autism better communicate and connect with the world. Parents and caregivers have an opportunity to ask experts questions in a relaxed setting. Siblings welcome!
For more information please contact Peggy Halliday or Dr. Annie McLaughlin at 434-924-4620 or phalliday@viaschool.org or amclaughlin@viaschool.org
