Askate Foundation is an organization 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.  In 2021, the CDC reported that approximately 1 in 44 children in the U.S. is diagnosed with an autism spectrum disorder (ASD), according to 2018 data.

• 1 in 27 boys identified with autism

• 1 in 116 girls identified with autism

Common benefits:

• Accessing the 4 self-regulation strategies: Co-regulation, resilience, self regulation, and exploration

• Social engagement system triggered which shifts physiological state

• Vestibular stimulation, often resulting in calmness

• Windows of time of spontaneous social engagement

• Profound neural exercise via Reciprocal Interactive Play

• Child leading in social interaction

• Trust building exercising

• Vulnerability and interest in a context of safety

• Important movement - movement becomes a structured way of functionality releasing energy and triggering a neural circuit through social interaction to co-regulate

• If the system can be triggered, many of the attributes that are the most disruptive features of the autistic, or other mental disability can be reduced.

• Child’s physiological state is changing and going into a neural platform in which spontaneous social behavior becomes an emergent property of that state. To deconstruct more, the child is happy. Child is looking at the other person, utilizing facial muscles where we see happiness. This is a memorable realization for parents of the child. Movement with engagement stimulating the brain opens up a channel for the child to experience windows of learning in multiple facets.

-Dr. Stephen Porges

                                                                                                                                                                                                                              Professor of Psychiatry, University North

                                                                                                                                                                                                                             Carolina at Chapel Hill; Director of the 

                                                                                                                                                                                                                              Kinsey Institute Traumatic Stress      

                                                                                                                                                                                                                             research Consortium at Indiana University

                                                                                                                                                                                                                            Bloomington    

Here are a few of the things that we do:

• hold clinics nationwide for children with autism at no cost to the families

• hold fundraisers and events to promote our cause

• connect families with resources for private skate lessons

• award grants for skateboards, safety gear, and private lessons

• mentor and educate volunteers and youth programs to work with special needs individuals

• create support groups

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”.