Project for Learning, Respite and Autism awareness
Donation protected
My name is Sajdha Bashir and I am raising money for a project that has been inspired by my 6 year old son Joshua.
Joshua (JJ) has recently been diagnosed ASD, but before the diagnosis it was clear that he processed the world around him in a different way and that he didn't favour language as his main form of communication. His speech is repetitive and a basic level for his age but he communicates in many other ways and at times showing a far more advanced thought process and understanding of concepts. He communicates through drawing, music, dancing, drumming, acting and building.
He amazes me every day.
I choose to home school my son. I believe many of the difficulties faced by those who are neuro-diverse in a traditional school environment are down to a lack of understanding (as to why our children react in an extreme way to certain situations)and a level of detachment because our children are not interested or inspired by what is happening around them so they are using that time to reflect on other things that are more important to them in a place deep in their own mind where they feel more comfortable.
I also believe that (at least in my son's case but I'm sure in many others too) my son already has a specific agenda in his learning (whether conscious or automatic) and a lot of his negative reactions can be explained in relation to this and his very complicated and abundant mind. Especially when we try to interfere with that order.
I don't want to get too 'hippy' about it (I am quite a spiritual person so I do feel it is important to say as I know there are many out there that will understand and relate to this). Autistic children are little light beings free from social programming, with the ability to selfishly focus on and achieve amazing goals and dreams. And I believe it's our job to provide them with as many possible ways for them to communicate their understanding of the world around them. Not how we want them to. But how they prefer to. I don't see them as broken or lacking, I think society is a disability on them.
I have been planning a project for over two years now and have finally found a site where I can put my plans into action. I am raising funds to create a retreat, tailored specifically with home-schooled ASD (diagnosed or suspected) children in mind but open to the whole home-schooling community.
It will be three days in nature taking part in a variety of workshops not exclusively ( I am always coming up with ideas) but including.
Arts and crafts (including nature walks and foraging projects)
Music (instruments, vocal based workshops (beatboxing, singing etc), drum circles)
Poetry and storytelling (by the fire)
Dance
yoga
circus skills (hula hoop, poi, staff etc)
Growing (plants and food)
Learning about nature (including trails and activities)
Sensory areas and meditation space
There's many other ideas and all will take place over 3 days with camping, most likely on a monthly basis to start in Feb/March 2020.
I am tailoring the retreat to include activities for parents and carers and am hoping that it will be as beneficial to them as it is to the children. There will be talks, relaxation techniques and therapies and the opportunity to unwind a little or to learn new skills and ways to inspire our special little people.
I want to offer this as a free service. I think it could be extremely beneficial and could grow into something really special over time as we share our experiences and knowledge along the way.
The money raised will go towards a good quality canvas tent, initially to give me shelter to enable me to stay at the farm for longer periods and work on the site to prepare it and later to be used as extra workshop or sensory space in the garden. Whatever is left will go towards building a small cabin to provide a base and indoor workshop space.
Other things I am fundraising for (and will be seeking donations of) are:
Musical instruments
Canvas tents and family size tents (for extra workshop space and for those who have no vehicle or low income and no equipment to ensure we can be as inclusive as possible)
Circus skills props (flag poi/staff/flags/diablo/hula hoops etc)
woodworking tools
yoga mats
Fabric
Pots and garden tools
I have other fundraising projects planned as the more I can raise, the more I can offer in the way of workshops and facilities. So please share and help me create something special for my amazing son and all the other wonderful children out there who need a place like this to exist.
Joshua (JJ) has recently been diagnosed ASD, but before the diagnosis it was clear that he processed the world around him in a different way and that he didn't favour language as his main form of communication. His speech is repetitive and a basic level for his age but he communicates in many other ways and at times showing a far more advanced thought process and understanding of concepts. He communicates through drawing, music, dancing, drumming, acting and building.
He amazes me every day.
I choose to home school my son. I believe many of the difficulties faced by those who are neuro-diverse in a traditional school environment are down to a lack of understanding (as to why our children react in an extreme way to certain situations)and a level of detachment because our children are not interested or inspired by what is happening around them so they are using that time to reflect on other things that are more important to them in a place deep in their own mind where they feel more comfortable.
I also believe that (at least in my son's case but I'm sure in many others too) my son already has a specific agenda in his learning (whether conscious or automatic) and a lot of his negative reactions can be explained in relation to this and his very complicated and abundant mind. Especially when we try to interfere with that order.
I don't want to get too 'hippy' about it (I am quite a spiritual person so I do feel it is important to say as I know there are many out there that will understand and relate to this). Autistic children are little light beings free from social programming, with the ability to selfishly focus on and achieve amazing goals and dreams. And I believe it's our job to provide them with as many possible ways for them to communicate their understanding of the world around them. Not how we want them to. But how they prefer to. I don't see them as broken or lacking, I think society is a disability on them.
I have been planning a project for over two years now and have finally found a site where I can put my plans into action. I am raising funds to create a retreat, tailored specifically with home-schooled ASD (diagnosed or suspected) children in mind but open to the whole home-schooling community.
It will be three days in nature taking part in a variety of workshops not exclusively ( I am always coming up with ideas) but including.
Arts and crafts (including nature walks and foraging projects)
Music (instruments, vocal based workshops (beatboxing, singing etc), drum circles)
Poetry and storytelling (by the fire)
Dance
yoga
circus skills (hula hoop, poi, staff etc)
Growing (plants and food)
Learning about nature (including trails and activities)
Sensory areas and meditation space
There's many other ideas and all will take place over 3 days with camping, most likely on a monthly basis to start in Feb/March 2020.
I am tailoring the retreat to include activities for parents and carers and am hoping that it will be as beneficial to them as it is to the children. There will be talks, relaxation techniques and therapies and the opportunity to unwind a little or to learn new skills and ways to inspire our special little people.
I want to offer this as a free service. I think it could be extremely beneficial and could grow into something really special over time as we share our experiences and knowledge along the way.
The money raised will go towards a good quality canvas tent, initially to give me shelter to enable me to stay at the farm for longer periods and work on the site to prepare it and later to be used as extra workshop or sensory space in the garden. Whatever is left will go towards building a small cabin to provide a base and indoor workshop space.
Other things I am fundraising for (and will be seeking donations of) are:
Musical instruments
Canvas tents and family size tents (for extra workshop space and for those who have no vehicle or low income and no equipment to ensure we can be as inclusive as possible)
Circus skills props (flag poi/staff/flags/diablo/hula hoops etc)
woodworking tools
yoga mats
Fabric
Pots and garden tools
I have other fundraising projects planned as the more I can raise, the more I can offer in the way of workshops and facilities. So please share and help me create something special for my amazing son and all the other wonderful children out there who need a place like this to exist.
Organizer
Saida Bee
Organizer
England
