SARATOGA SPRINGS, N.Y. – The Neurodiversity Club, co-sponsored by Empire State University’s Center for Autism Advocacy: Research, Education, and Supports (CAARES) and the Saratoga Springs Public Library recently hels its first meeting.

 

Created for autistic and neurodivergent kids and teens in grades K-12 and their friends and families, the goal of the club is to be student-directed, so those who attend can spend their time in a way that is fun and meaningful for them.

 

“The aim is for Autistic and neurodivergent children and teens to have fun and make connections in a welcoming environment,” said Lauren Allen, assistant director of CAARES. “There will be various self-directed activity stations to choose from such as crafts, games, Legos, and dancing, but we hope to see the students who attend the club really make it their own.” 

 

The idea for the club was born when CAARES reached out to SSPL to collaborate on program offerings that would serve the local autistic and neurodivergent communities.  

 

“CAARES was excited to collaborate with SSPL given the library’s commitment to inclusive offerings, such as their ‘Escape Room: Downtime for Adults’ and ‘Sensory Story Time,’ among other programs and policies,” Allen said.  

 

Ultimately, the driving force behind the club is connection. 

 

“The sense of belonging is so important to cultivate, and our hope is that Neurodiversity Club can contribute to that for children and teens who attend,” Allen said.  

 

Interested individuals can register for future sessions for free online at www.sspl.org. 

 

The next sessions will occur on Monday, October 23 from 4:30-5:30 p.m. and Monday, November 27 from 4:30-5:30 p.m.

 

About Empire State University: Founded in 1971 as the innovative campus of the State University of New York, Empire State University empowers learners from diverse backgrounds to achieve their educational goals. We have decades of experience providing educational access through online teaching and learning, individualized instruction, mentoring, and prior learning assessment. We build on our students’ experiences to promote their growth and drive upward mobility and economic development in New York state and beyond. SUNY Empire's 97,000 alumni are teachers, nurses, entrepreneurs, and leaders in their communities and their fields. Visit www.sunyempire.edu and follow us on social media @SUNYEmpire. 

 

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