Bridges to Adelphi Offers Events for National Autism Awareness Month, but Adelphi’s Commitment Is Year-Round

Supporting and advocating for individuals on the autism spectrum has been a priority for Adelphi University for many years. Stephen Shore, Ed.D., clinical assistant professor of special education in the College of Education and Health Sciences, has spoken about autism at over 1,000 conferences in 48 countries around the world and his experience of being a professor on the spectrum. One of his mentees, Dena Gassner, is a Ph.D. candidate in the School of Social Work and following in Dr. Shore’s footsteps educating people about being on the spectrum.

For the past 12 years, our groundbreaking Bridges to Adelphi program has provided students on the autism spectrum with individualized comprehensive academic, social and vocational services and is now preparing them for career success as well, as Sean Culkin ’17 can attest, even sharing his story with news outlets like NBC’s TODAY.

In January 2018, Adelphi partnered with the Alabama-based organization KultureCity as part of its sensory initiative, to open a sensory room on campus. The room now serves as a calming refuge for students and others in the campus community on the autism spectrum, or students with other sensory special needs.

This month, representatives of Bridges to Adelphi will be going around campus to educate others about the program as well as sponsoring events that draw attention and awareness of neurodiversity.

Among the many scheduled events are:

• April 11: “Learning More About NeuroDiverse Individuals,” featuring Stephen Shore, Ed.D., Ruth S. Harley University Center, Room 215 and Room 216, 3:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m.
• April 12: Music Game Night, 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. – Fun musical knowledge games for all individuals who are interested. There will be karaoke! Snacks will be provided.
• April 15: Learn How to Dance the Salsa, Bridges to Adelphi office, Earle Hall, lower level, 1:15 p.m. to 2:15 p.m.
• April 17: Autism and Inclusion Discussion, Bridges to Adelphi Sensory Room, Earle Hall, lower level, 1:00 p.m. to 2:00 p.m.
• April 18: Mario Kart Party – Play Mario Kart on Nintendo Switch as well as our old school N64 system in the Bridges to Adelphi office, Earle Hall, lower level, 6:30 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.
• April 19: Relationship Discussion – Watch the Netflix series Atypical and join a discussion about dating, Bridges to Adelphi office, Earle Hall, lower level, 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.
• April 22: Plant Sale for World Earth Day – All plants will be sold out of the Bridges to Adelphi office, Earle Hall, lower level, 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
• April 23: A screening of the documentary Life, Animated, Bridges to Adelphi office, Earle Hall, lower level, 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.
• April 25: Bridges Program Talent Show benefiting EPIC Players, an autism-inclusive theater group – Many individuals have hidden talents, especially neurodiverse individuals. $3-$5 entrance fee donation; Angello Alumni House, 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.
• April 25: Bridges Video Game Group, Bridges to Adelphi office, Earle Hall, lower level, 7:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.
• April 26: Screening of the Movie Keep the Change, Bridges to Adelphi office, Earle Hall, lower level, 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.
• April 28: Supporting LI Kick in Its Spring Fling Charity Kickball Tournament –$20 to play; all proceeds benefit the EJ Autism Foundation, City Stadium Park, Glen Cove, 11:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
• April 30: Bridges to Adelphi Garage Sale, all proceeds benefiting “Angels for Autism,” the Jack Fanning Memorial Foundation, Adelphi Flagpole Lawn, 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. If you have items that you would like to donate, please contact Maria Lewis, M.A. ’18, social coordinator for the Bridges to Adelphi program, at MaLewis@adelphi.edu.