Autism Society of Greater Akron’s Mission is “We create connections, empowering everyone in the Autism community with the resources needed to live fully in Medina, Portage, Stark, Summit, and Wayne County.” We hope these resources are helpful to everyone on their Autism journey, including families, self-advocates, service providers, and all members of the community. Please feel free to call our free HelpLine at 330-940-1441 x1 if you have additional questions!

GUIDES FOR INFORMED DECISION MAKING

GUIDE FOR PARENTS/CAREGIVERS: GETTING A MEDICAL DIAGNOSIS OF AUTISM IN CHILDREN

SCHOOL SELECTION GUIDE

AUTISM SOCIETY OF GREATER AKRON – ADULT SOCIAL CLUB – Meets on the 2nd and 4th Wednesday of the month and is for ages 18 and over. Offers an opportunity to connect and make friends with other adults with ASD who share interests and life’s challenges. Meetings are a mix between virtual Zoom meetings and in-person meet-ups at a variety of locations. The Social Club for Adults is designed for individuals who can take turns and participate in small group settings with a reliable form of language and an age-appropriate cognitive level. CONTACT INFORMATION: ASGA’s HelpLine, 330-940-1441 x1, info@autismakron.org

AUTISM SOCIETY OF GREATER AKRON – TEEN SOCIAL CLUB – After a long day of school, relax and connect with friends in the Teen Social Club!  The middle and high school years are a challenge for everyone, as relationships move from the playground to relationship-based friendships that depend on reading social cues, communication, and emotional reciprocity, all things that can be difficult for someone who lives with autism and other developmental disabilities.  As a result, ASGA offers a Social Club for Teens ages 13-17 who are looking to make friends and have fun! CONTACT INFORMATION: 330-940-1441 ext 1, info@autismakron.org

AUTISM SOCIETY OF GREATER AKRON – FRIENDSHIP CLUB – Making friends isn’t always easy. And it can be especially challenging for kids with Autism. The Autism Society of Greater Akron has created a social opportunity for your child—the Friendship Club—where children with Autism can gather with other children just like them!  It is a safe space to have fun, learn and make social connections.  Strengthening social skills can help enhance participation in the community and support outcomes like happiness and friendships. CONTACT INFORMATION: 330-940-1441 ext 1, info@autismakron.org

ACEing AUTISM – ACEing Autism is on a mission for individuals with Autism to grow, develop and benefit from social connections and fitness through affordable tennis programming, uniquely serving individual needs. CONTACT INFORMATION: (310) 401-0544 and akron@aceingautism.org

ASPIES GREATER AKRON – ASPIES Greater Akron’s volunteers serve people in Summit, Stark, Tuscarawas, Portage, Wayne, Medina, and Cuyahoga counties. Information, education, and support is available to anyone interested in Autism. Offers monthly support groups – providing education to families effected as well as the professionals dealing with them. Offers Meet & Greets – providing an opportunity for families to come together for mutual support and fun. CONTACT INFORMATION: Joy Spencer – 330-745-5115 or email Rreindeer@aol.com

BEST BUDDIES – Best Buddies programs build one-to-one friendships between people with and without intellectual and developmental disabilities(IDD), offering social interactions while improving the quality of life and level of inclusion for a population that is often isolated and excluded. Through their participation, people with IDD form meaningful connections with their peers, gain self-confidence and self-esteem, and share interests, experiences and activities that many other individuals enjoy. CONTACT INFORMATION: ohio@bestbuddies.org and 614-928-3383

BEYOND OUR BOUNDARIES – Beyond Our Boundaries is a recreation service company for adults with Developmental Disabilities (DD). Beyond Our Boundaries offers trips of a lifetime to fun destinations, in hopes of bringing people with DD together for friendships and to set the stage for creating an active social life. CONTACT INFORMATION: 330-455-8111, bobPRassistant@gmail.com

THE CHAPEL IN GREEN – SOCIAL CLUBS Young Life’s Capernaum Club is for students ages 14-21 with developmental disabilities. Anchored Club is geared towards adults ages 23 and older with developmental disabilities. Both groups meet on the third Saturday of each month from 4-5:30pm. These clubs are a great place to make new friends and to learn what it means to be part of a body of believers!CONTACT INFORMATION: 330-315-5500

CHRIST COMMUNITY CHAPEL – ABILITY INCLUSION – At CCC, our staff and volunteers have created an environment and culture that allows you to be yourself. We include individuals with disabilities in our general programming and services while providing appropriate accommodations where needed. CONTACT INFORMATION: Heather.Gleason@ccchapel.com

EMPOWER SPORTS – Through sports and fitness activities, Empower Sports aims to develop social skills, self-esteem and physical well-being for athletes of all ages and abilities! Programs change seasonally and include soccer, football, softball, basketball, and more. CONTACT INFORMATION: 216-400-8598

REC 2 CONNECT – Dedicated to utilizing fully inclusive recreation therapy programs to connect people with and without disabilities and their families to community recreation, wellness, and lifelong leisure skills. Current programs: Hiking Club, Outdoor Adventure, Fit Friends, CardioDrumming, Pedal Power, Razorsharks Swim Team, Aquatic Therapy/Adapted Aquatics, Adult Social Club, Bike Connect. CONTACT INFORMATION: admin@rec2connect.org, (330) 703-9001

SPECIAL OLYMPICS OHIO – Special Olympics Ohio hosts a multitude of year-round community and regional competitions with events focused around the three sports seasons: Winter, Summer, and Fall. In addition to their core sports, the regions offer health programming, Athlete Leadership opportunities, Young Athletes, and Unified Champion Schools. CONTACT INFORMATION: Libby Schafer, 614-239-7050 ext. 204, eschafer@sooh.org

UNITED DISABILITY SERVICES (UDS) ALL-STAR TRAINING CLUB – UDS All-Star Training Club provides integrated, competitive sports where everyone, regardless of ability, is encouraged to participate, try different sports and learn new skills. Members of the All-Star Training Club staff work closely with athletes, families, and volunteers to promote the benefits of fun, fitness and competition for everyone. They currently offer eleven different sports throughout the year. CONTACT INFORMATION: Jeff Campano, recreational coordinator – 330-762-9755, ext. 233