Supporting Autistic System-Involved Youth in Community Outings and Events

Shoshana Phoenixx

Training Description

A well-planned outing can be a gateway to joy, connection, and learning—but for autistic and intellectually disabled system-involved youth (SIY), it can quickly become a truly unsafe experience without thoughtful preparation. This training equips participants with the tools to assess, modify, and prepare for outings that meet the needs of the youth they support. Participants will develop emergency contingency plans, practice neuro-inclusive location assessments, and apply a structured discernment process using a grid system to determine which outings best fit a youth’s needs. Using real-world examples—including the Oakland Zoo, Chabot Space & Science Center, Pretend City Children's Museum, playgrounds, skateparks, and franchise coffee and restaurants with consistent layouts and designs—this session will provide practical strategies to ensure outings are inclusive, flexible, and prepared for the unexpected.

Learning Objectives

Participants will be able to:

• Create 2 different emergency contingency plans for every outing, incorporating regulation strategies for…