Oct 01, 2019
www.ourleagueofdreams.com
Founded by Kern County resident Tim Terrio of Terrio Physical Therapy and Fitness, this junior sports league helps children on the autism spectrum ages 5 to 22 to find and support each other through organized athletics. Baseball is its main team sport.
M.A.R.E. Therapeutic Riding Center
www.mareridingcenter.com
M.A.R.E. stands for “Mastering Abilities Riding Equines.” Arabian horses are part of these equine-assisted therapies for children and adults living with special needs and disabilities, including autism. The riding center describes its work as “hope on horseback,” with services in Kern County since 1990. Three decades of working with individuals who need specialized instruction makes an enormous difference in knowing how to help.
The Autism Society-Kern Autism Network, Inc.
www.kernautism.org
The Autism Society-Kern Autism Network, Inc. is dedicated to providing trustworthy, respectful and caring services that truly impact the lives of individuals on the autism spectrum in Kern County. The group works to help families and the community at large through the autism journey. Specific services include:
• Website and Social Media Support
• Resources for Kern County-doctors, programs, service providers, links for insurance coverage
• Monthly Support groups: parent, siblings, females and adults on the spectrum
• Obtaining diagnosis assistance with referrals
• Educational workshops for parents, educators, & community at large.
• IEP and school support mentoring with parents
• Advocacy at a state/local level
• Holiday giving projects at Thanksgiving, Christmas, and Easter.
• Children’s workshops: bowling, art sessions and our most popular, LEGO Workshops, with 4 of them offered throughout the school year.
• Scholarships for parents to attend workshops for FREE
• Scholarships for children and young adults to attend camps during the summer (private swimming lessons etc.)
• Community autism trainings: Law enforcement, foster care, DHS, CPS, SSI, Rotary Clubs, CASA and other agencies
• Community Outreach of awareness campaigns
Valley Achievement Center
https://autism-vac.org
The amazing therapeutic offerings at Valley Achievement Center span from preschool to age 22, with behavior modification programs, after-school care, a full-day Basic Education school, and social and independent living skills programs. Students with autism spectrum disorder and other developmental disabilities can receive a range of therapies into adulthood. Help with job placement is also an option. Its tagline, “Independence, Dignity and Self-Worth” play out across the ages it serves. Valley Achievement Center now has four facilities in Bakersfield.
Transition to Independent Living (TIL) at Taft College
www.taftcollege.edu/til/til-home/general-information
Instruction, training, and support are part of the dorm-style living experience for adults with developmental disabilities on-campus at Taft College. Life skills and social functions are also part of the effort to foster individuals’ efforts to live independently as young adults. The program started in 1995 with funding from Kern Regional Center. A staff ratio of 3:1 helps assure adequate supervision. The program runs from Aug. 1 to June 30 each year.
