Askate Foundation is an organization that helps children with autism and other neurodiversities be a part of our social world through skateboarding.  We hold clinics for individuals at no cost to the families, give grants for skateboard gear, as well as promote awareness and educate families about the skateboard and neurodiverse worlds we live in.  In 2021, the CDC reported that approximately 1 in 36 children in the U.S. is diagnosed with an autism spectrum disorder (ASD), according to the NAA (National Autism Association).

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 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:

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

• apply fundraisers and events to promote our cause

• connect families with resources for private skate activities

• 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

   Additionally, we have expanded programs to include the arts, culinary, and much more, in which we have implemented as transition stations over the past decade:

• apply individual events and transition stations within and outside of skateboard events that focus on music, movement, life and job skill development, health/exercise, social groups, art (pottery, jewelry, painting, thrifting), and more. Funding and corporate sponsorship are vital to sustain Askate and Create. More info soon…

Autism and other neurodiversities, like skateboarding, can look impulsive, unpredictable and sometimes unruly. We embrace the parts of neuro diversities that are hard to understand and provide individuals a platform that is free  judgment, encourages their norm, and allows them to be authentically social.