So why would a mom, a physical therapist, a university professor, decide to start a nonprofit organization for Autistic Teens and Young Adults interested in animals? Seems like a lot of work for something so random….but there is a background:
My inspiration is my son, Dylan. He has an amazing passion for animals and as I have learned, so do many other kids who are autistic. Dylan had a lot of opportunities for socialization when he was in preschool and elementary school. In middle school, there were still a few after school social groups catering to the autistic kids. Then came the transition to high school: “We don’t have autism social groups,” I was told, “why don’t you just have him join a club?” Ok, so I thought, well, that’s just great…let’s have an autistic kid who is no problem and just will sit in the corner of the room until the whole thing is over join a group of teenagers who have no idea what to do with him. Didn’t sound like a great solution to me, and I said so. “So, start your own club…” Ooops. Now you did it. Did I mention I’m not just a mom but I’m a therapist and an educator? Well, that got some wheels turning, and I started the An Ex Club – the animal exploration club – in 2017. It is a 503 (c) non-profit social group for Autistic teens and young adults interested in animals and potentially animal careers. We are located in the Corona-Norco area of Riverside, CA and hope that our message will spread and we can create more chapters. It’s all about these kids being able to connect, explore, and THRIVE!!!
My inspiration is my son, Dylan. He has an amazing passion for animals and as I have learned, so do many other kids who are autistic. Dylan had a lot of opportunities for socialization when he was in preschool and elementary school. In middle school, there were still a few after school social groups catering to the autistic kids. Then came the transition to high school: “We don’t have autism social groups,” I was told, “why don’t you just have him join a club?” Ok, so I thought, well, that’s just great…let’s have an autistic kid who is no problem and just will sit in the corner of the room until the whole thing is over join a group of teenagers who have no idea what to do with him. Didn’t sound like a great solution to me, and I said so. “So, start your own club…” Ooops. Now you did it. Did I mention I’m not just a mom but I’m a therapist and an educator? Well, that got some wheels turning, and I started the An Ex Club – the animal exploration club – in 2017. It is a 503 (c) non-profit social group for Autistic teens and young adults interested in animals and potentially animal careers. We are located in the Corona-Norco area of Riverside, CA and hope that our message will spread and we can create more chapters. It’s all about these kids being able to connect, explore, and THRIVE!!!