Building Inclusion Through Sport: SPORTFIVE x AutismUp

We are excited to announce a collaboration with AutismUp, which is based in Rochester, New York, and serves as a model for autism services across the United States and beyond. Founded in 2004 by four mothers who have children with ASD, AutismUp has since grown to support more than 4,000 individuals and their families. It continues to be a parent-led organization.

AutismUp walks alongside families from diagnosis through adulthood, offering programs and support throughout one’s entire life – not just for children and young adults. The organization’s programming ranges from sports and fitness to arts and music, sensory integration, social skills, and job readiness.

Fitness plays a critical role for individuals with autism, as many with ASD do not receive the proper training and support on how to exercise and, therefore, live healthy lives. Unfortunately, obesity and inactivity are prevalent health care issues within the autism community.

Autism is a condition that takes on many different forms, as no two cases are alike. Unique in its nature, autism is a wide spectrum of various conditions, characterized by someone having difficulties with social skills, repetitive behaviors, speech, and/or nonverbal communication. Some are impacted by all these indicators while others are not, hence autism being referred to as a spectrum.

At any rate, the prevalence of autism is rising. According to the Centers for Disease Control in the United States, an estimated 1 in 31 children are diagnosed with autism while 1 in 45 American adults live with autism today. In 2000, 1 in 150 children were diagnosed. It seems as if everyone nowadays knows an individual who has, or is impacted by, autism spectrum disorder.