Organization Profile: Optimal Rhythms

THANK YOU TO EVERYONE WHO HELPED US REACH OUR GOAL!! WE DID IT!! IT TOOK ALL OF US WORKING TOGETHER, INVITING WALKERS, ENGAGING SPONSORS, MANNING OUR TABLE AT THE WALK, SIGNING UP OT WALK, MAKING DONATIONS AND FUNDRAISING, TELLING OUR STORY, AND MORE!! IT TOOK US TIL THE LAST DAY, BUT WE MET OUR GOAL!!! OPTIMAL RHYTHMS is a nonprofit organization committed to supporting neurodiverse students with complex sensory, motor, and communication challenges to achieve their maximum potential. * Did you know there are over 350 local children ages 3-18 who do not have a reliable mode of communication? * Did you know that there are more than 5 million children and adults in the United States who, due to disability or other condition, cannot rely on speech alone to be heard and understood? * Did you know that more than 40% of autistic individuals experience a motor disability (apraxia) that causes them to struggle to feel their body, move their body reliably, or speak to communicate? Imagine not being able to communicate your needs, your choices, your true understanding and all that you are learning. Imagine not being able to express your love for your family. This is the lived reality for many, many young people in our community, but they are often misunderstood or underestimated. They are often thought to be less capable of learning. They have no way to show when they've learned to read. Traditional approaches focus mainly on behavior management and compliance training and this focus keeps these youth isolated and socially distanced. Optimal Rhythms uses our unique approach to support a therapeutic K-12 day school, ACCESS Academy; our A2A K-12 and adult virtual education programs; and an innovative Summer "CAN-Do" Camp. We challenge communities to #rethinkautism by providing valuable training to equip others to support the sensory and communication needs of nonspeaking individuals. Our Rethinking Autism Programs bring crucial training and resources to parents/caregivers, teachers, therapists, medical professionals and first responders. We help those who care for these children and adults to recognize their true potential and afford them the human rights we all enjoy. BE A 2022 WALKING FOR DREAMS WALKER FOR OPTIMAL RHYTHMS this May and help us unlock potential in more students! Watch as our team of walkers use the unique power of rhythm to engage our brains and bodies for optimal movement and FUN! Our registered VIRTUAL or IN-PERSON walkers who raise at least $200 and submit your pledges, payable to Optimal Rhythms, will receive a FREE event t-shirt. PROCEEDS WILL SUPPORT OUR 2022 RETHINKING AUTISM CONFERENCE, allowing us to offer FREE ADMISSION FOR PARENTS, CAREGIVERS, TEACHERS, and FIRST RESPONDERS!! Join us to #rethinkautism and increase our reach! The Walking for Dreams event will be LIVE STREAMED this year so we encourage walkers far and wide to REGISTER, FUNDRAISE, and WALK wherever you live!! We NEED YOU!! For more information, visit: www.optimalrhythms.org THANK YOU TO OUR SPONSORS: Shoe Carnival, Integrative Music Therapy, Historic Newburgh Kiwanis