Social and Recreational Programs

Bittersweet offers social and recreational programming for teens and adults on the autism spectrum throughout Northwest Ohio. These programs are based at our Whitehouse and Lima locations, with many of the offerings taking place in community settings.

Teen Social and Recreational Programming

Bittersweet’s social and recreational offerings for teens consist of therapeutically-based programs and activities that focus on community integration, social skill development, and fostering independence as the teens approach young adulthood.

Many of these experiences are community-based, such as trips to baseball games, bowling alleys, or local museums. These experiences empower the teens to practice their social skills in an informal, safe, and supportive environment. Other experiences are more educational in nature, focusing on life skills development (for example, a cooking class) or social skills development (for example, a session on self-expression/conversation skills).

One of the hallmarks of Bittersweet’s teen social programming is mentorship. Volunteer teen mentors from the local community and local universities are paired with program participants for the purpose of building friendships and modeling appropriate social interactions in different community settings.

Adult Social and Recreational Programming

In addition to providing Day Program vocational services for adults in Whitehouse and Lima, Bittersweet also offers adult social programming at both locations. These social and recreational offerings aim to create a leisure space for adults to enjoy an evening of fun activities and informal relationship building.

Many of these offerings are community-based and include movie outings, mini golfing, theme nights, holiday parties, and more. In addition to providing enjoyment and relaxation, these settings also provide valuable opportunities to practice social skills and explore hobbies and special interests.

Summer Enrichment Program

Each summer for more than 20 years, Bittersweet has offered a Summer Enrichment Program for adolescents with autism at our Whitehouse farmstead. Activities include swimming, sports, arts and crafts, and more! In addition to these traditional summertime leisure activities, the Summer Enrichment Program also focuses on individual academic goals, vocational skills, social development, life skills, and preparation for a successful transition to adult services.

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