Teen Night: Topics & Triumphs

“My son has been coming to Teen Night at WRTS for many months now, and each time I am struck by the calm, patient and compassionate way he is treated by the staff. He is always greeted warmly by the staff and his new friends and made to feel welcome”

– Andrea, 18 yr. old son w/ ASD

As professionals in the Autism field, we know that as children grow older, fewer opportunities for extracurricular activities are available in the Jacksonville area for those on the Autism Spectrum. Individuals on the Spectrum, of all ages, may struggle with specific sensory issues that are related to other entertainment facilities (such as a noisy bowling alley, crowds at a festival, flashing lights at an arcade, etc.) Most activities for the older learners are school-based and tend to be seasonal and sport-related.  We saw a need for a consistent, fun, welcoming event for those specifically in their teen years to help foster motor skill development, social skills, parent networking, and other quality of life opportunities.

Teen Night is a special after-hours event we hold at We Rock the Spectrum for kids OLDER than our usual age groups who come in to the gym for Open Play. Teen Night is held for kids ages 12 and up and is two hours filled with social skills activities, dinner, games, and play on the gym equipment!

Teen Night is held twice a month on a Friday evening from 6:00 – 8:00! Teens are in the gym working with specialized instructors to help foster age-appropriate social skills, lead teamwork activities, prompt natural environment teaching skills, and supervise/challenge the participants to try new things: physically on the equipment, socially with new peers, mentally with challenging games & activities, and emotionally building relationships with peers around the same age and self-confidence performing in a group.

Parents ARE required to stay during the event and encouraged to be in the lobby with the other parents.  During this time, you – as the parent –  are able to connect with other parents, support each other, and build relationships with other Mom’s & Dad’s in the community.

We Rock the Spectrum Kids Gym- Jacksonville has a mission to serve ALL ages and provide an extra-curricular for them to look forward to each and every month! Check out the next couple of events coming up for your teen to attend:

Friday, May 11th from 6:00 – 8:00 – Board Game Bash!

Friday May 25th from 6:00 – 8:00 – Fun with Fitness

Friday June 15th from 6:00 8:00 – The Great Escape

Friday June 29th from 6:00 – 8:00 – Sports of All Sorts

Take a look at some memories made this Spring with our teens!

Movie Night: Harry Potter Quidditch Match!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Life-Size Board Games :

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Crazy Carnival: Circus Tricks & Carnival Games

 

“We love this place…Teen Night has been such a great event for my son, Nick. He looks forward to this every month to see his new found friends. Marissa and Lea are the best!!”

– Jennifer, 14 y/o son with ASD