The Antelope Valley Times

Your community. Your issues. Your news.

Autism-friendly skate clinic draws warm reception

by •

Joe Walker Middle School teacher and lifelong skateboarder Jeff Ryckebosh lends a hand to 24-year-old Torin Houle at the A.skate clinic at Marie Kerr Park on Oct. 12. “He’s having a great time, look at him,” said Torin’s mom, Anne Houle. “Just the fact that he’s keeps trying, that’s huge!”
Joe Walker Middle School teacher and lifelong skateboarder Jeff Ryckebosch lends a hand to 24-year-old Torin Houle at the A.skate clinic at Marie Kerr Park on Oct. 12. “He’s having a great time, look at him,” said Torin’s mom, Anne Houle. “Just the fact that he’s keeps trying, that’s huge!”

PALMDALE – Dozens of local children with autism became skateboarders for a day on Saturday at the first ever A.skate clinic in the Antelope Valley.

A.skate Foundation is a non-profit that organizes autism-friendly skateboard clinics to teach the basic skills of skateboarding to participants in an environment that is appropriate to their sensory needs.

“We travel all across the United States, and we’re actually international,” said Elisa Swan, coordinator for the A.skate Foundation. “The way A.skate events get brought to your city is through fundraising, and a local mom here that has a child with autism raised money for us to come out and put on this event.”

Local mom Jennifer Slater-Sanchez said she worked hard to bring the A.skate event to Palmdale in order to provide a fun outlet for special needs families. She said she was overwhelmed by the positive response.

“It’s just been a very warm reception from the Antelope Valley,” Slater-Sanchez said. ”Our community is wonderful, and this is why I’ve always been proud to live in the Antelope Valley because it’s just a great place where people are very supportive of each other.”

Proud mom, Melanie Rhoda, takes a break with son, Robert, and skateboarder, Nick Livigni.
Proud mom, Melanie Rhoda, takes a break with son, Robert, and skateboarder, Nick Livigni.

The clinic kicked off at 9 a.m. Saturday at Marie Kerr Park and ran until noon.

“Each child gets a one-on-one instruction and they just learn the basics and fundamentals of skateboarding,” Swan said. “Some of them don’t like to stand on the skateboards and will sit on their bottoms because they like the rolling motion. We just want to show them a good time.”

Some participants were hesitant at first, and there were even a few tumbles.

“I about had a heart attack when he stumbled and just about landed head first off the board,” said Lancaster resident Melanie Rhoda about her 10-year-old son, Robert.

Within the first hour, Robert and many other participants were having the time of their lives, with the help of more than 30 volunteers.

“This is fantastic!” exclaimed Lancaster resident Phyllis Kegel as she snapped photos of 5-year-old Logan on a skateboard. “I love seeing him try new things, and for an autistic child, that’s not easy to do,” Kegel continued.

The event was a raging success, organizers said. That’s why plans are already underway for another local autism friendly skateboard event this spring.

To get an early start in supporting this worthwhile cause, visit http://www.crowdrise.com/AskateAVSpring2014/fundraiser/jenniferslatersanche.

Jennifer Slater-Sanchez (with son, Jacob, and husband, Danny) coordinated the fundraising effort to bring the A.skate clinic to the Antelope Valley.
Jennifer Slater-Sanchez (with son, Jacob, and husband, Danny) coordinated the fundraising effort to bring the A.skate clinic to the Antelope Valley.
5-year-old Logan receives a helping as mom, Phyllis Kegel, follows along.
5-year-old Logan receives a helping hand as mom, Phyllis Kegel, follows along.
At 13, Simi Valley resident Nick Livigni (left) is already a skilled skateboarder. "One of my sponsors asked me to come here so I said why not? I really like helping other people and it makes me feel good," Livigni said, while giving lessons to 10-year-old Robert Rhoda.
At 13, Simi Valley resident Nick Livigni  (left) is already a skilled skateboarder. “One of my sponsors asked me to come here so I said, ‘why not?’ I really like helping other people and it makes me feel good,” Livigni said, while giving lessons to 10-year-old Robert Rhoda.
Honda's "Helpful Guys in Blue" dropped by to lend a helping hand.
Honda’s “Helpful Guys in Blue” dropped by to lend a helping hand.
The event was so successful that organizers are already planning a second event this spring. To donate, visit http://www.crowdrise.com/AskateAVSpring2014/fundraiser/jenniferslatersanche
The event was so successful that organizers are already planning a second event this spring. To donate, visit http://www.crowdrise.com/AskateAVSpring2014/fundraiser/jenniferslatersanche

For more pictures from this event, visit our Facebook page.

–

Filed Under: Palmdale

6 comments for "Autism-friendly skate clinic draws warm reception"

  1. Hats off to Jennifer Slater-Sanchez! You tell she worked hard to make this event happen. I grew up in the AV with Jennifer, and I always remember her being involved. It’s so awesome when someone who grew up here is talking a leadership role, even more when it’s for the kids. Very cool of you Jennifer! Keep up the great community work!!

  2. This is so heart warming to see. My nephew is autistic but a little young to participate in this. I hope this continues for a few years and possibly other events for autistic kids.

  3. These types of activities should be done with more frequency. My 5 year old grandson who is autistic attended this event and even know he was a little shy being around people he had so much fun. He came home and told us about how much fun he had. So my BIG THANK YOU goes to all who made this possible: Organizers, volunteers and all the skaters

  4. I think that this was a wonderful idea my son and a couple of his friends we’re originally suppose to have participated in helping the children with Autism in this event. He was very excited and looking forward to this event he puchased a new skate board deck, wheels, barrings, and etc so the cchildren will have a smoother ride. I will pass it along and let them know that it was an success and let him read the article. Happy to see our skateboarding youth willing to take time out of their day to teach and possibly gelearn somethings themselves.

  5. ITS GREAT to see kids out there helping them , just shows not all teenagers with a skateboard and skinny jeans are not ALL that bad, some my neighbors cant stand the ones down the street, they have foul mouths and ignore when you are trying to drive down the street…. I am glad to see those kids there, good for them…..