AutismUp
AutismUp
Founded in 2004 by four local mothers of children recently diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), AutismUp has grown to include more than 2,000 members. As the largest local autism support and advocacy organization in the Greater Rochester and surrounding areas, the group specializes in programming for preschool, youth, teen and young adults in the areas of supported fitness and recreation, social skills, sensory regulation, and readiness skills. In addition, AutismUp provides a full circle of support services for parents, siblings, caregivers, and professionals — resulting in raising awareness and promoting abilities and success.
What is the goal of AutismUp?
AutismUp
Its mission is to support individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) and their families by expanding and enhancing opportunities to improve quality of life. Prior to AutismUp, families walked away from a diagnosis not knowing what the future held.
Today it is estimated one in 68 individuals is diagnosed with an Autism Spectrum Disorder. Ten years ago, when AutismUp was founded, 1 in 150 children were diagnosed with autism. Those children are now teenagers and will soon become young adults. The reality is that autism is here to stay. The organization’s goal is to ensure all those affected by autism are receiving specialized support, customized education, vocational training opportunities, and healthy living opportunities needed to thrive from diagnosis, through adolescence and into adulthood.
The organization continues to map the journey and identify routes that engage teens and young adults in peer programs, social-skills awareness training, self-advocacy skills, vocational support, and prepare young adults with ASD for a successful future. The community must embrace individuals with autism as friends, neighbors and co-workers.
What is the vision for the future?
AutismUp provides help for today and hope for tomorrow. As the autism incidence rate climbs, even more alarming to those working to build autism support and opportunities is that our community, educational system, and society as a whole are not prepared to embrace the children with ASD today who will become adults with ASD tomorrow. It is estimated that there are nearly 10,000 individuals with autism living in our community and to serve more of them more often, AutismUp has embarked on a bold new destiny in 2016 — opening the new AutismUp’s Multi-Sensory Learning in Webster.
Tell us a bit about the new sensory learning center.
When I started writing My AutismUp’s Multi-Sensory Learning Environment is an extension of the current operations and serves as a “base camp,” to provide expanded, enhanced, engaging, and safe programs and services. Since AutismUp is run by moms of children and teens with ASD, the underlying basis is for children to have friends, fun, and happiness. This new location at 855 Publishers Parkway in Webster, located just off Route 104, is a place for supported recreation and fitness, sensory regulation, and social skills. The activities range from youth boxing and yoga to Minecraft gaming, teen fitness and social skills groups, adult clubs, and parent support groups. There’s a trampoline, a rock-climbing wall, balance beams, swings, and sensory-focused and fitness equipment … plus family events, adults groups, and parent training.
How can parents learn more and get involved?
Visit online at Autismup.org where you can become a member and receive emails about their programs and events. AutismUp Education Programs are unique, customized, and highly supported. AutismUp offers programming for children and teens with ASD, their siblings, and the entire family, including support groups for caregivers and families, with professional training, education and advocacy. 
Special thanks to Lisa Ponticellio for chatting with us for this article. Lisa is AutismUp’s marketing and development director and a mom of a child with autism.
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