Type of service: Play and leisure, Social groups

Service URL: http://www.autismconcern.org

Our programmes of holiday and out of school activities provide the children and young people with ASC the opportunity to experience play activities in a safe and supported environment. Our personalised approach to engaging with children leads to improved behaviours, reduction of anxieties, greater engagement and communication and a reduction in incidences of challenging behaviours. We have two main programmes for Children and Young People:

Site Based Activity Days - All site based Activity Days offer a wide range of stimulating play opportunities to engage our children. Art, craft, cookery, music, indoor and outdoor games and equipment are provided in a structured environment matching the needs of the children and young people. We partner with parents to tailor activities to the needs of the child and use a range of established interventions to promote communication and understanding (TEACCH, PECS etc). All days run from 10am - 3pm. A packed lunch and £10 parental contribution is required. Holiday Clubs- Site based Activity Days in Northampton (Kingsthorpe Grove Primary School, NN2 7QL), Daventry and Kettering - Easter and Summer holiday club for children aged 5 - 16 with autism spectrum conditions (ASD). "Fun Days" - year round programme for children 8-16 years with autism and complex needs who find our standard Activity Days too great a sensory challenge. The staff ratio is 1:1. Maximum 8 children per day. Saturday Club - Based in Northampton for ages 8-16. Alternate Saturdays during term time for children with ASD.

Community Based Activity Programme - The "Out and About" programme. Funded by Children in Need. Our exciting new community based learning and fun activity programme for children with high functioning autism, Asperger's syndrome (AS) and/or ADHD ages 5-9, 10-15 and 16-18, provides the ideal opportunity for young people to experience greater freedom and independence, broaden their scope for learning and development and provide more active and healthier life choices for integration and inclusion. The programme has visited local facilites to enjoy sailing, kayaking, horse riding and bushcraft classes. Costs £10 per day (some activities will demand higher parental contribution) "Go 4 It" Youth group for young people aged 13 - 18, with high functioning autism, AS and ADHD which meets twice monthly. The Go 4 It! Programme takes the young people out into the community allowing them to practice their social skills but uses our Northampton base during the Winter months. Led by the young people themselves, the activities range from trips to the cinema and restaurants, sport, cookery, photography and games. (Site based during the Winter months in Northampton).The group meets fortnightly on Tuesday evenings 6pm - 8pm, Costs £3 per session (plus additional monies for off site activities). "Junior Go 4 It" is a Youth Group for young people aged 8-12 years with High Functioning Autism, Asperger syndrome and ADHD, which meets twice monthly. When site-based the group is in Northampton, but also takes young people out into the community, allowing them to practice their social skills. Activities range from trips to the cinema and restaurants, sport, cookery, photography and games. The group meets fortnightly on Tuesday evenings from 6pm-8pm. The cost is £3 per session (plus additional monies for off site activities).

To enable us to place a child on the most suitable activity programme, parents/carers must complete a full Admission Referral Form, downloadable from the website.

Aimed at: Adolescent , Child

Specialisms: Exclusively autism specific