ASPIRe N.Y., Inc. is a community based recreation and activity group for teens and young adults with Asperger’s Syndrome, High Functioning Autism, P.D.D.N.O.S. and other disorders of social relatedness. Julie Marks and Deb Garrelts, with backgrounds in education and occupational therapy respectively, and both parents of ASPIRe N.Y., Inc. participants do “in the moment” coaching of social interaction skills when needed and plan structured activities to build those skills as well. We actively seek high school seniors without disabilities to join in our activities as peer mentors and give feedback to our young adults on how to demonstrate age-appropriate, socially acceptable behavior.

All ASPIRe N.Y., Inc. participants complete Interest Surveys. We encourage our young adults to make contact with other participants with whom they share interests.

ASPIRe N.Y., Inc. asks participants to help plan activities within the scheduled events. Safety awareness, body language, and self-defense techniques are taught by a professional during our Winter and Spring Sessions.

Outdoor Activities
ASPIRe N.Y. participants enjoy biking, orienteering, swimming, picnics, snow tubing and skiing, boat rides, rodeos, mini golf, corn mazes, and much much more!

Indoor Activities
ASPIRe N.Y. participants get together for bowling, holiday and special occasion parties, board games, movies, shopping, family dinners and pancake breakfasts!

Birthdays
Every participant’s birthday is celebrated with a special party, and gift certificates to the store of their choosing.

Family Support
The families of ASPIRe N.Y. participants are integral to the successful integration of their young adults into group activities.

ASPIRe N.Y. also communicates frequently with families to connect them to other community services and supports, and activities of interest to them.

ASPIRe N.Y., inc. is a 501 (c) (3) tax exempt organization