Read Silverfish Longboarding article: Behind A.skate Founder - The Crys Worley Bio HERE

Kids we work with:

We provide one on one skate lessons for children with autism in an environment that is appropriate to their sensory needs in order to learn. We provide this service at no cost to the families who participate.  We also provide the skateboard gear and safety equipment (helmets, skatebaords, and such) for the children to use during their skate session. We strive to make the experience as incredibly successful for the child as possible!

Who we are:

The A.skate Foundation is a registered 501c3 non profit that allows children with autism to be a part of our social world through skateboarding.  We hold clinics for children with autism at no cost to the families, give grants to children with autism for skateboard gear, as well as promote awareness and educate families about the skateboard industry.  Five years ago 1:150 children were diagnosed with autism. Today 1:88 children are diagnosed with autism.

Here are a few of the things that we do:

• hold clinics nationwide for children with autism at no cost to the families
• give "Grants for Gear" for kids to purchase skateboard gear
• hold fundraisers and events to promote our cause

Autism, like skateboarding, can be unpredictable and often times unruly. We embrace the parts of autism that are hard to understand and give these kids an outlet that is free of rules or judgment, and allows them to be social without being “social”.

Contact us today!

Children with autism often struggle with the ability to follow directions, play on a team due to the lack of social skills, and many require activities to be performed on their own terms.  Skateboarding and autism just fit!  No team, no coach, rip solo. 

Out of State participants:

Please contact us today to see how you can have us come to your town for an autism skate clinic.  We will need information to contact your local autism society to help promote the clinic and will also need volunteers to help organize the event.  We provide the skate gear (skateboards, helmets, pads) as well as the snacks.  We will come up with a fundraising goal to host an event in your town and then set a date, place, and time.  This is a great way to gather the community and let the kids meet new friends!

Alabama participants:

We have ongoing clinics and events that we will keep you updated on.  Contact us for private clinics as well, such as groups of friends, kids from a special ed school, etc. 

Apply for the "Grants for Gear" program through The A.skate Foundation:

Click HERE to download the application as a PDF or click HERE to download the application as a Microsoft Word document to be considered for the Grants for Gear program. If funding is available and we are able to meet the needs of the applicant, we will contact them once we receive their application. If approved the applicant will then need to send in their payment for shipment.



National Go Skateboarding Day Campaign

 

Attention all skateboarders:

Skateboarding has always been counterculture. Even as it edges closer to the mainstream, skateboarding remains on the fringe. It’s still an emblem of rebellion, still a little outlaw. Skaters don’t follow the herd. They’re often thought of as different. Those of us who skate view skateboarding as an outlet to express our individuality and creativity. What better sport to represent kids who are too often thought of as outsiders?

Autism is a severe developmental disability that affects speech and social interaction. Children with autism have a difficult time communicating and relating to others socially. They may also suffer from a heightened sensitivity to sensory input--which can cause them to retreat even further into isolation.

The A.Skate Foundation is as non-for-profit that was created to introduce kids with autism to the world of skateboarding. It’s our belief that skateboarding can help autistic children connect with the greater world around them. Playing team sports is out of the question for most children with autism. They find it very hard to follow directions and because they struggle with language, communicating with coaches and teammates can be difficult. Skateboarding and autism are a great fit: no team, no coaches, no rules!

A.Skate Foundation holds free skate clinics for children with autism. Raising kids with autism can be expensive; A. Skate offers grants to those who can’t afford skateboard gear. We also help promote autism awareness in the skate industry.

One of our major initiatives this year centers on Go Skateboarding Day. On June 21, skateboarders around the globe will celebrate the pure joy of skateboarding by dropping everything to go skate. On that day, we would love to see skateboarders everywhere make the day even more special by taking a child with autism skateboarding. It’s a crazy idea, but one that’s perfectly suited to skateboarding.

Here’s where we need your help. We have a campaign in place ready to implement but we don’t have the means and resources to take this idea national. That is our ultimate aim—to see skateboarders in towns around the country invest part of their Go Skateboarding Day taking a child with autism skateboarding. Please take a moment to consider being a part of this fledgling but important movement.  You can contact your local Autism Society or you can contact us directly to find out how you can help.

Five years ago, approximately 1 in 150 children were diagnosed with autism. Today, the number has risen to 1 in 88 children, with 1 in 54 of those being boys. That’s an alarming number. Autism might even have touched someone close to you. For us, autism is a daily reality—both of us are parents of an autistic child.

Children with autism can flourish given the right circumstances--they are bright, creative and sensitive individuals who need venues where their uniqueness can be celebrated. Let’s help them find a place to express themselves through skateboarding.

Sincerely,

Crys Worley - Founder

Ph. 205-862-6822

crys@askate.org