Getting outdoors is beneficial for most children. Getting outdoors for children with autism is essential, says I-CAN Network mentor Kyal Kay.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
On Saturday the not-for-profit organisation is offering children aged four to 16 the chance to take on an 80-metre obstacle course at Warrnambool’s Lake Pertobe.
The south-west group run by autistic people for autistic people, offer mentoring and support for young people on the autism spectrum.
The Obstacool Course will be made up of a mix of inflatable items including wedges, tyres, a 40-metre long ‘Big Bopper’, walls, tunnels and commando nets.
I-Can Network mentor Kyal Kay said activities like Obstacool were important for children with autism.
“Kids with autism are generally introverts so these types of activities get them outside in the fresh air,” he said. “It also widens their social networks, helps them embrace challenges and offers them great encouragement.”
Obstacool will take groups of up to 80 children through the course in 45-minute ‘waves’.
“The final wave will be an all-abilities session,” Mr Kay said. “Carers are welcome to join kids in this session.”
The I-CAN Network aims to ‘enable a world which embraces and accepts autism’.
Event coordinator, Warrnambool mother, Lisa Boyle said she hoped to attract 500 to Saturday’s fundraising event which would run between 10am and 4pm.
“We’re really hoping this is a great success,” she said. “We’d love to make this an annual event.”