Young adults with Autism and other disabilities have a difficult time finding age appropriate interests. My 12-14 year old students have been known to play with baby toys and even watch Barney! It is challenging finding hobbies for them that are age appropriate.
My class is made up of 12-14 year old young adults with Autism and a variety of other disabilities.
Most of my students are non-verbal and need help with most daily activities. We are in a self-contained school for children with special needs. In their free time they work on puzzles, draw, play with dolls and play on the computer. When they are on the computer they are usually looking at cartoons geared towards 3 year old children. When they are home their interests are not so different, they watch Barney, Sesame Street and other television shows and videos that are not age appropriate.
My Project
I recently discovered that some of my students are interested in photography. They have taken pictures of their friends and favorite items. This is a fabulous and age appropriate hobby for them. At the end of the day I have uploaded the pictures to the computer and I get to see the world from their perspective. Not only is it a great hobby, but it has encouraged language and communication from my students. They really enjoy seeing their own pictures as well as pictures of each other. All of my students have gotten involved in this activity and are all enjoying it.
Recently our beloved class camera fell and was damaged beyond repair.
I do not want to see my students regress to their old interests. My students are young adults and need to have age appropriate choices for their free time. Please help us by replacing our camera with a shock proof one that will last for a long time.
More than three‑quarters of students from low‑income households
Data about students' economic need comes from the National Center for Education Statistics, via our partners at MDR Education. Learn more
DonorsChoose is the most trusted classroom funding site for teachers.
As a teacher-founded nonprofit, we're trusted by thousands of teachers and supporters across the country. This classroom request for funding was created by Ms. Block and reviewed by the DonorsChoose team.
{"pmaHash":"","showProjectRecommendations":true,"leadGenEnabled":true,"hideTeacherDetails":false,"schoolState":"NY","teacherPossessivePronoun":"her","PMsManager":null,"schoolGradeType":{"id":3,"name":"Middle School"},"TeacherPMForms":{},"completingDonationAmount":0,"teacherHasClassroomPhoto":true,"proposalURL":"https://www.donorschoose.org/project/the-world-through-their-eyes/493535/","mayHaveReplacements":false,"numStudents":6,"isEquityFocusV1":true,"teacherScreenName":"Ms. Block","isEquityFocus":true,"proposalHash":"-1163987269","isApplePayMobileOnly":true,"progressBarPercentage":100.00,"monthlySchoolDonationEnabled":false,"photosPublished":true,"queryString":"","DonorPMForm":null,"shouldTrackEquityFocusV2":true,"schoolCity":"Flushing","teachersOnPage":[45527],"isTeacherViewingTheirOwnProject":false,"minimizedLeadGenEnabled":true,"proposalId":493535,"proposalMessageFormModel":null,"numActiveProjects":0,"verifyShowPhotos":"","eligibleToBeCopied":false,"schoolId":1086,"schoolName":"PS Q177 Robin Sue Ward School","authorIds":{"45527":{"owner":"Ms. Block","donationSalutations":{}}},"displayedPercentFunded":1.0,"proposalsOnPage":[493535],"pmaId":"","teacherProfilePhotoURL":"https://cdn.donorschoose.net/images/placeholder-avatars/272/teacher-placeholder-4_272.png?auto=webp","teacherHasProfilePhoto":false,"currentWorkflowStatusCode":21,"teacherChallengeId":52161,"isApplePayEnabled":true,"fundedByTarget":false,"activeProject":null,"donorIdsForImpactPhotoCheck":["ODI4OTM2","NjY3ODEz","NjAwOTQ2","ODI4NTY5","ODI3ODky","NjgyMDcz","ODA5ODQ4"],"teacherId":45527,"schoolCounty":"Queens","fullyFunded":true,"isStudentLed":false,"isExpired":true,"schoolStateObj":{"code":"NY","name":"New York"}}