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A Step Up Academy Scholarship: A school for kids with Autism helping Noah prepare for.. life.
Gildan Ultra Cotton T-shirt
- Sizes YXS - XXXXL
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About this campaign
Within then next 10 years, 1 in 10 boys in America will be diagnosed with Autism. Our education system is not set up for children with Autism to bloom, and as a result, many of them are ending up in special education tracks without proper therapy, stimulation, or support. Special schools do exist, but they are very expensive. It is our goal to help raise awareness of this problem.
With your help, we are starting a scholarship fund so kids likeNoah can attend a special private school that will provide them with the therapy they need to better preparefor school with typical children, avoiding the special education classes offered by public schools,and helping them receive academic and social skills needed forlife as an independent people.
Our sonNoah was diagnosed with Autism at 3 years-old and has been in therapy ever since. He struggles withcommunication, basic social interaction,and understanding social cues that typical kids pick up on naturally. He also "elopes" from social situations, meaning he leaves the room and isolates himself because he cannot cope with the stress of the situation. We find ourselves looking for Noah all of the time, at home and in public places, searching for where he has withdrawn to. TheT-shirt offered here honors a common phrase used by our family:"Where's Noah?"
It's very scary toimagine him in a public school, feeling overwhelmed by typical demands of school such asthe lunch line, isolated fromhis peers, open to bullying because he is different and unable to communicate,and simplyleft out. Schools havelabeled him a "flight risk" also known as a "run away", and as a result he has been held back and is now being assessed for the public school's special education program. But Special Ed classes aren't the right environment for him either. Although he isn't able to communicate it yet, he understands a tremendous amount and is exceptionally gifted academically.Most private schools will not accept Noah because of his disabilities and him being a flight risk.
After a tremendous amountof research seeking the right fit for our Noah, we found A Step Up Academy, a school geared specifically toward Autistic children. They offer an alternative to public schools, providingtherapeutic services to children with Autism from Kindergarten through 4th grade in effort to prepare students for a typical classroom setting when they are a little older and more mature. But this school is very expensive. Beyond the reach of most people.
We are starting a scholarship fund to help people in situations similar to ours have the opportunity to send their kidstoa private Autism academy which willservice each one individually. In the short-term, these schoolsprovide academic skills to join a typical class setting by the4th grade. In the long-term they help each child develop the social skills neededtobecome independent citizens and have a fulfilling life. Please help us spread the awareness. Buy a shirt. Thank you!
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Supporters
Faulkner fan
For Noah and Tamara, that they get all the help they will ever need....Both have loving families to support them and always will. Bravo to those families and to the parents, especially.