New York, NY: Rebecca School, an NYC therapeutic day school for children with developmental disorders, organized a fundraiser walk; “Let’s Walk Together 2015” from 10:00 am to 12:00 pm, on June 14th, 2015. Students, families and staff were invited to the one-mile long walk held at Flushing Meadows Corona Park, Promenade of Industry Queens, NY. The proceeds from the sale of the tickets went to the non-profit Rebecca Association of Autism (RAA) and their support of Café Rebecca. Café Rebecca is a gluten-free café located on campus and run wholly by the students of the school.

RAA is a registered non-profit organization that supports the Rebecca School Community through donations. Its support of Café Rebecca was bolstered through this fundraiser walk. All aspects of Café Rebecca are run by students including baking, delivering and advertising. The café serves healthy food to the school community, creating a shared experience that takes into account various food allergies.

According to the event organizer, “There were so many ticket sales taking place that I wondered if the rest of New York was going to be deserted on the day of the walk. We managed to raise considerable funds for Café Rebecca with the proceeds from the sales. We are glad that not only did we boost the growth of the wonderful Café Rebecca but that we also got an opportunity to celebrate our students and their families through a jovial, well-organized event.”

Rebecca School is a special education school for children with autism spectrum disorders as well as other neurodevelopmental disorders of relating and communicating. The school’s curriculum is built upon the DIR model and Floortime therapy. The Floortime therapy is the practical component of the DIR or the Developmental, Individual Difference, Relationship-based model, developed by Dr. Stanley Greenspan. This therapy is based on helping children reach key developmental capacities through emotionally meaningful and stimulating interpersonal interactions.

Let’s Walk Together 2015; the fundraiser walk for Café Rebecca, incorporated games and art activities for participants of all ages. The walk was organized keeping in mind students’ sensory strengths, needs and abilities. A designated area for families and students wishing to take a break was provided. All participants were given free “Let’s Walk Together” T-shirts and the pictures from the event were posted on the school’s website.

Rebecca School provides an academic curriculum integrated with activities and services that alleviate students’ sensory and emotional dysregulation and discomfort. The campus includes an art studio, three music studios and sensory gyms, all of which are aimed at providing children with an enriching and therapeutic experience. Floortime therapy is practiced in varying environments and situations to help students develop upon their social, emotional and cognitive skills.