Middle-aged and older adults with autism often lack access to age-appropriate recreational opportunities. Many recreation providers lack the expertise to appropriately serve this growing population. In view of this, the NLM Family Foundation created a Community Relations Program to address these needs. The NLM Foundation selects specific recreation providers with whom to partner in order to create enjoyable, satisfying programs for older adults. “The Joy of Golf” Program for autistic adults and New England Yachad Bowling program were among the first NLM-sponsored recreational programs for adults on the spectrum. The Foundation works with professional development organizations in the recreation sector to expand expertise in the field. The Foundation funded early efforts to create relaxed performances, theater and musical productions where care is given to provide an inclusive sensory environment, in partnership with the Boston Symphony Orchestra and The Prince’s Foundation for Children & the Arts.
The following is a listing of resources relating to recreational and community enrichment programs for adults with autism. Some are specifically for adults on the spectrum and other developmental disabilities. Some are for the general public but by their nature are accessible to autistic adults.
If you would like your organization to be added to our Recreational Resource Directory or if you would like to update your organization’s listing, please email NLM Family Foundation. This directory is for informational purposes only. The NLM Family Foundation’s inclusion of resources does not necessarily imply any endorsement of the programs or of the material on these websites.
- Access Recreation Boston
- AccesSport America
- Adaptive Sports New England
- All Out Adventures
- Ascendigo Adventures- Winter Program
- Asperger/Autism Network (AANE) (see “social groups” and “artists collaborative”)
- Berklee Institute for Arts Education and Special Needs (see Inner Harmony Ensemble)
- Boating in Boston
- The Bridge Center
- Cardinal Cushing Centers
- Community Boating
- Community Rowing
- Crotched Mountain Accessible Recreation & Sports
- The Dance Complex (see Accessible Dance Initiative)
- DCR Universal Access Program
- Easter Seals Massachusetts
- Emarc Recreation
- Golf For All
- Grotonwood Camp & Conference
- Ironstone Farm (Challenge Unlimited)
- Maine Adaptive Sports & Recreation
- New England Disabled Sports (NEDS)
- New England Healing Sports Association (NEHSA)
- New England Yachad / National Jewish Council for Disabilities
- Open Door Theater
- PATH-WAY Providing Access To Happiness
- Piers Park Sailing Center
- Roman Music Therapy Services
- Sail to Prevail
- Special Olympics Massachusetts
- Special Needs Arts Programs (SNAP)
- Triangle, Inc (EPIC and Impact:Ability)
- Waypoint Adventure
Individuals and families should check the recreation departments and adult education departments in their towns. In addition to these town recreation programs, local YMCAs and local chapters of The Arc also often have extensive programming for autistic adults.
This website may contain hyperlinks to websites operated by parties other than the NLM Family Foundation. Such hyperlinks are provided for your reference only. The NLM Family Foundation does not control such websites and is not responsible for their contents. The NLM Family Foundation’s inclusion of hyperlinks does not necessarily imply any endorsement of the material on such websites or any association with their operators.