AAFS provides respite care in a social and recreational environment for children, youth and adults on the spectrum of Autism; this includes, but is not limited to, Autism, Aspergers, Pervasive Developmental Disorder, Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder and Non-Verbal Learning Disorder.

AAFS is both dreamt-up and made reality by the youth themselves. We envision and facilitate the implementation of programming where our youth can choose their own adventures and have a hand in every intricate detail of each activity regardless of how difficult it is to conceptualize or organize. We work with them, for them.

is to provide an accepting environment for members of the Autism Community where they can cultivate friendships and social skills, and connect to the greater community.

We believe it is incredibly important for youth with ASD to be provided a welcoming space to learn social thinking and take social risks. Interpersonal, relationship, and communication skills are a priority for all people no matter where they began in life. It is paramount that our children are given the opportunity to practice and develop these skills in a safe environment. It is vital to connect our youth with other members of their community to not only share experiences but strengthen them as individuals and as a population. Our youth have so much to share with the disability community, and world at large, if we will simply take the time to listen.

We believe everyone needs and deserves a community of people who accept them unconditionally. We believe everyone should have the opportunity to experience the world in the way they choose. We do this by fostering a culture of respect and empowering our community to think for themselves and celebrate individuality. We just happen to make lifelong friends along the way.

We believe Children of all ages must have the opportunity to experience as many activities, outings, and adventures as they can - and are guaranteed to learn valuable skills whilst doing so. While an understanding of a child's limitations is important, a far more important appreciation is that of a child's potential. There is a substantial difference between being out with a group of people and being a part of that group - being a friend amongst friends. Our children are a part of our group, and when they are here, they are amongst friends.

is a world in which there are no barriers to acceptance; a world where everyone is afforded a socially and recreationally fulfilling life.

Our values are what will ensure this vision succeeds and show how we make this happen in our daily work. 

1. Community: Everyone deserves community in every sense of the word. We create community, we build community and we are community. 

2. Acceptance: We recognize that acceptance needs to start with the self and we teach acceptance in all that we do. We want our members to be accepted in their communities and to come to a place of acceptance for themselves. 

3. Relationships: A genuine relationship is a lasting relationship. This approach not only affects our members, but also keeps our staff and volunteers engaged in AAFS while they are with us and long after they move on. Our relationship-based approach makes us more than an organization, it makes us a family.

4. Adventure and Risk: Adventure is an integral part of life and often life’s most important lessons involve an element of risk. We provide a safe environment for our members to calculate risk and seek adventure.

5. Resiliency: Resiliency is proven to be linked to long-term success in almost every walk of life. We provide opportunities for our members to build resiliency. We do this by creating an environment in which they learn how to solve problems and bounce back from tough situations. 

6. Play: Play is essential to development because it contributes to the cognitive, physical, social, and emotional well-being of children, youth and adults. WE LOVE and LIVE TO PLAY!

7. Experience: We believe everyone has the right to experience the world in their own way and we don’t hold our expectations of ‘how’ certain environments should be experienced. Every member is encouraged to explore every environment and as many environments as possible.

Why does AAFS exist? 

AAFS exists to provide people with autism with opportunities to be their best selves and create a better world for everyone. We see a world where we accept each other and have the opportunity to live a fulfilling life, filled with friendship, love and play. 

How do we achieve our WHY? 

We create an environment so our members can develop and sustain friendships and relationships, gain and learn social skills and contribute and connect to a greater community.

AAFS is a Community of unconditional Acceptance, Respect,  Experience, and Social dynamics.

Community built with our friends and family.

Acceptance of our members for who they are.

Respect for oneself and others.

Experience the world around us in your own way.

Social dynamics with which we learn and grow.

If you have any questions or require more information,

please contact us through our Contact Form