The Cool AspiesSocialization During COVID Our Perspectives Alex BarnesSarah Cornett Tom DavisAaron BretzfelderDeborah Hammer Why the Cool Aspies Began Young adults who still wanted a social skills g ID: 936678
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alexaspies@gmail.com The Cool AspiesSocialization During COVID: Our Perspectives Alex BarnesSarah Cornett Tom DavisAaron BretzfelderDeborah Hammer Why the Cool Aspies Began Young adults who still wanted a social skills grouplike atmosphere posthigh school Parents who worried that their children were lonely Not enough opportu
nities for young adults with mild social disabilities Need for highschool students with similar profiles to have older role models as they transition to adulthood Tom Who We Are Cool Aspiesis a social club for young adults with ASD and related neurodiversityAll members are from Northern Virginia, D.C., and Maryland suburbsCoo
l Aspiemembers are mostly between the ages of 1827, and split evenly by genderCapped at 40 membersWe believe in selfdetermination: Nothing about us without us! Sarah How We Are UniqueNo fee to join and free or affordable events Not a “therapeutic” groupjust a social clubMembers recommend the activitiesNo staffjust
friends Sarah Goals and Expectations of Membership Goals: Make friendsHave fun Learn about leisure activities in our communityImprove social skillsDevelop both independence and interdependenceBecome selfdetermined peopleExpectationsMembers complete application each calendar yearRSVP independently Arrange transportation to ev
entsParents are NOT allowed Tom BowlingCooking classLaser Tag Art galleries Canoeing Holiday gift shopping Concerts Anime ConventionsPlaysHiking Parties Nature Centers Rock ClimbingFirst Aid/CPR certificationEmbassy crawlsLine DancingLego buildingHistoric ToursEating OutPottery YogaGymnasticsKaraokeWas
hington Nationals baseball gamesMuseumsRiverboat ExcursionsMini GolfIce SkatingWater ParksBuilding Bat Houses Tae Kwon Do Job interview classComedy classMoviesWhat We DOOver our first 12 years, our numerous activities have included: Aaron Volunteer Work in the CommunityTraining the Alexandria Police & Sheriff’s Departm
entsAssisting with the Smithsonian Morning at the MuseumAccess ProgramHelping parks with trail renewal and removal of invasive plantsNational Zoo advisory panel Tom CAMP: Cool Aspies Mentoring ProgramMembers who have some expertise in an area of life, including:Attending collegeLiving on your ownHaving a jobUsing public trans
portationSelfadvocacyTechnologyMentors work 1:1 with other members or in a groupWe help each other be successful! Tom Skills We Learn in Cool Aspies Using public transportationScheduling skillsUsing smartphone effectivelyHow to tipCompleting forms with personal informationKnowing who you can call when you need somethingWhat a
ctivities are nearby that we might enjoyHow to ask our friends in the community to lead classes for us Aaron Virtual Meetings During 20202021Activities Included:Escape RoomTalent showGame nightsSpecial interest show and tellCostume and holiday partiesLipSync ContestHoliday SingalongIce BreakersVisits from celebrity animalsWor
ld tours and museum visitsBehind the scenes at the National ZooClasses Included:Love on the SpectrumseriesUnderstanding AutismBatsHealth SeriesRecognizing Fake MediaMindfulnessAll about Covid19Improv ActingCookingOrganizational Skills Aaron B. Lessons Learned:Summary of Virtual EventsWhat has worked well:Some new members join
edNo transportation difficultiesReduced our anxiety with new places, crowds, and sensory issuesGave us opportunities to communicate and get to know each other betterWe meet more frequentlyAll events are free!!!Lots of virtual opportunities and speakersWhat didn’t work as well:Some established members stopped coming or ca
me infrequently due to discomfort with Zoom platform or lack of technology (internet)Tech. problems during the meetings, (hearing each other, freezing, etc.)No food at our events (or rarelyour one cooking class was just soso)We miss being with each other in person Sarah Socialization During COVID: Our Perspectives Aaron Alex