Camp iCan Bike, formerly known as “Lose the Training Wheels (LTTW), will again be offered this August 12-16, 2013.

Last summer, National Foundation of Autism Research (NFAR) awarded Crimson Treatment & Research Center (CTRC) a grant to customize a bike riding camp for children with developmental disabilities, LTTW to specifically meet the behavioral and sensory needs of children diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). Research had already revealed the value of engaging children with ASD in other sports, such as swimming, surfing and horse-back riding, but these activities do not as easily translate into a shared family activity as could bike riding.

The objective of the 2012 program funded by NFAR was to provide aides with specific strategies found to be beneficial to 20 children with ASD participating in this one week camp program. Strategies included visual schedules, first-then visual supports, and sensory input and break techniques.

Objective measures recorded indicated clinically significant outcomes, including successful independent riding and substantially increased time and opportunities for family outings. Other positive outcomes reported by families, although not officially documented, included:

• Increased expressive language
• Increased confidence
• Increased willingness to engage in unfamiliar activities
• Improved reasoning
• More readily involved in social situations
• Increased language with movement
• Increased interest in interacting with peers

With raving reviews from participating families and volunteers, Camp iCan Bike (formerly known as “Lose the Training Wheels), is now accepting participants for their camp to be held from August 12-16, 2013 at Sol City Sports Center at Alliant University in Scripps Ranch. CTRC is looking for volunteers and donors in an effort to create the 3rd annual and successful riding camp experience for 40 riders.

For more information on iCan Bike, visit CTRC.

Grant Spotlight

We are happy to announce that NFAR grant funding is helping K.I.D.S. Therapy Associates, Inc. provide support to children with special needs at Maranatha Christian School's Sports Camp.

This is a week-long camp for typically developing children (ages 6 to 12) and children with special needs (ages 5 to 12). Last year, parents of children with special needs expressed excitement and joy that their kids were given the opportunity to gain a “typical” summer camp experience and participate alongside their siblings and peers.

Children can select one of the sports offered (soccer, basketball, baseball, volleyball, karate, flag-football, cheerleading/tumbling, etc) and attend a structured sports camp planned by the Maranatha Christian School. K.I.D.S Therapy Associates provides supervision and training of volunteer buddies paired with children with special needs. Visual supports and accommodations/modifications will be provided for children based on their individual needs.

Maranatha Christian School Sports Camp
9050 Maranatha Drive, San Diego, 92127
June 17 to 21, 2013
9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.
COST: $75

Financial assistance available if needed
Siblings, ages 6 – 12 are welcome!

Learn more on their website or please call (858) 673-5437.

Last year, NFAR awarded a Community Project Grant to the non-profit “Include Autism” to assist in their efforts to initiate Autism Inclusion Training for local community businesses and organizations. This innovative program was created to help reshape the way the San Diego businesses and community leaders look at autism and discover how to more effectively include individuals with autism as active members in our community.

With these funds, Include Autism has created a training curriculum, manual, presentations, and assessment tools that can be customized to fit a business’ or organizations needs.  They offer training workshops for front line staff, management, and others directly involved in the organization as well as follow-up consultation to ensure maximum benefit for the employees involved.

Include Autism was invited to present the Inclusion Training Program at both the Autism Conferences of America in Huntington Beach and at the KIT International Conference on Inclusion in San Diego. Currently, they are working with the San Diego Girl Scouts to incorporate autism inclusion into their culture.

To learn more about Autism Inclusion Training, or to schedule a training for your place of business, please contact Johnny Grant at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or 858-603-5122.

Learn More