THANK YOU TO EVERYONE WHO WILL HELP US REACH OUR GOAL!!  WE CAN-DO IT!!
IT WILL TAKE ALL OF US WORKING TOGETHER, INVITING WALKERS, ENGAGING SPONSORS, MANNING OUR TABLE AT THE WALK, SIGNING UP TO WALK, MAKING DONATIONS AND FUNDRAISING, TELLING OUR STORY, AND MORE!!  WHAT WILL YOU DO TO MAKE A DIFFERENCE?

OPTIMAL ACCESS is a nonprofit organization committed to supporting neurodiverse students with complex sensory, motor, and communication challenges to achieve their maximum potential.

* Did you know there are over 5000 children ages 3-18 in SW Indiana who experience autism? (1:36 according to the CDC's latest report)
* Did you know that at least 40% (2000 in SW IN) of people with autism are nonspeaking, minimally speaking, or unreliably speaking? - That's 31 million people worldwide!
* Did you know that only a small percentage of these children are being taught a reliable mode of communication and given access to a grade-level education?
* Did you know that more than 86% of autistic individuals experience some level of a motor disability (apraxia) that causes them to struggle to feel their body, move their body reliably, or speak to communicate?  This gives us a new understanding of the autism spectrum... it's less about a difference in intelligence and more about a difference in MOTOR and SENSORY.

Imagine not being able to communicate your needs, your choices, your true understanding, or even all that you are learning. Imagine not being able to express your love for your family.  This is the lived reality for many, many young people in our community, but they are often misunderstood or underestimated. They are often mistaken to have an intellectual disability or to be less capable of learning. This is a dangerous myth!
Neuroscience has uncovered that these students are affected by a motor disability called apraxia, but they are learning language normally. Unfortunately, because have no way to demonstrate when they've learned to read or have a need, they are often left behind or segregated at school. Traditional approaches focus mainly on behavior management and compliance training and this focus keeps these youth isolated and socially distanced.

Optimal ACCESS uses our unique approach to support a therapeutic K-12 day school, ACCESS Academy; our A2A K-12 and adult virtual education programs; and an innovative Summer "CAN-Do" Camp. We challenge our community to #rethinkautism by providing valuable training to equip others to support the sensory and communication needs of nonspeaking students of all ages.  Our Rethinking Autism Programs bring crucial training and resources to parents/caregivers, teachers, therapists, medical professionals and first responders.  We help those who care for these children and adults to recognize their true potential and afford them the human rights we all enjoy.

BE A 2023 WALKING FOR DREAMS WALKER FOR OPTIMAL ACCESS this May and help us unlock potential in more students! Watch as our team of walkers use the unique power of rhythm to engage our brains and bodies for optimal movement and FUN!  
 
Our registered VIRTUAL or IN-PERSON walkers who raise at least $50 and submit their pledges, payable to Optimal Rhythms, before the start of the Walking for Dreams event will receive a FREE event t-shirt (S&H not included).

OUR FUNDING GOAL, WHEN MET, WILL SUPPORT OUR 2023 RETHINKING AUTISM COMMUNICATION TRAINING, allowing us to offer 300 FREE HOURS of TRAINING FOR PARENTS AND FAMILY CAREGIVERS and FIRST RESPONDERS!!  Join us to #rethinkautism and increase our reach!

The Walking for Dreams event will be LIVE STREAMED this year so we encourage walkers far and wide to REGISTER, FUNDRAISE, and WALK wherever you live!!  We NEED YOU!!

For more information, visit: www.optimalaccess.org