YAWA at Autism Speaks Walk
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Georgia Association for Positive Behavior Support Conference

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  • The GAPBS is a network of the national Association for Positive Behavior Support (www.apbs.org).
  • The Purpose of GAPBS is to increase visibility of positive behavior support in our state of Georgia. 
  • For Instance the theme of this year's annual conference was "Connecting School, Home, And Community through Positive Behavior Support."
  • Y.A.W.A was there to show how we promote the expansion and dissemination of positive behavior support in our communities through educational activities and creating home settings. 

Barnes & Thornburg Lunch and Learn 

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  • During Autism Awareness members of Y.A.W.A hosted a  lunch and learn about Autism and the Y.A.W.A program. 
  • Y.A.W.A members gave speeches and got to sit down and eat lunch with professionals at Barnes & Thornburg Law Firm. 

​Learning to Navigate Around the City Using MARTA & UBER

  • Members of Y.A.W.A learn how to take the Marta and how to use an Uber. 
  • On the Red Line we went from North Springs to the Airport.
  • We took an Uber from the Marta stop to BurgerFi to enjoy a nice tasty burger. 
  • Some members even got to take the Marta home. 
Fun & Games 
VIDEO  GAMES  ARE  ESSENTIAL  TO  THE UTILIZATION  OF  MOTOR  SKILLS  AND  COGNITIVIE  SKILLS, AS  WELL  AS  A  LOT  OF  FUN!!!

         WE LIKE TO CALL IT...

                     EDUTAINMENT!!
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Party at the Lake House

  • Stayed overnight at the Directors lake house.
  • Went grocery shopping for breakfast lunch and dinner.
  • Took turns in making meals.
  • Had a camp fire and made smores. 
  • Went tubing out on the boat.
  • Was the first time being on a boat for some members.

Night at the Movies 

  • Went for dinner and a movie. 
  • Watched Superpower Dogs 
  • Ate at Luck's Burger and Brew 

Botanical Gardens 

  • Enjoying a nice walk through the Garden of Lights at the Botanical Gardens. 
  • Grabbed  snacks at the Hot Cocoa Bar.

Game Night at Main Event 

  • Y.A.W.A members take a break from reality to enjoy some video games.
  • A member got to float in the air and feel what's it like to fly on the Gravity ropes. 

Midtown Bowl

  • Enjoyed a fun time out at Midtown Bowl.
  • Played a friendly game of bowling with new members of Y.A.W.A.

Funtime Bowling

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  • Building friendships one frame at a time.
  • Enjoyed a classic, friendly game of bowling while eating snacks and drinks from the snack bar. 

Cirque De Soleil

  • Watched the Cirque du Soleil Volta perform amazing acrobats and tricks.
  • The show was based on extreme sports with a game show host named Waz.

Big Apple Circus

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  • Watched award winning acts from around the world. 
  • Acts included magic, acrobats, and many more circus acts.
  • Big Apple Circus embrace Autism with amazing artistry. 
  • Certain performances include sensory adaptations to welcome ASD patrons and their families. There are also modifications to sound and lighting. 

Atlanta School of Massage

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  • Experienced what it was like to get a professional (student) massage. 
  • Learned how to stretch and how to take care of our skin. 
  • At the end we all walked out relaxed and calm. 

Martin Luther King Jr. National Historic Site

  • During Black History month we sought out to learn more about one of the greatest of all time activists. 
  • We got to see M.L.K house while he was growing up and many memorabilia's of his house. 
  • We also went inside the King center to walk around and learn what all M.L.K did for his community and the world. 

Aquarium

  • Learned about Life in the Ocean at the Georgia Aquarium. 
  • Got splashed by dolphins as we experienced the AT&T Dolphin Celebration.
  • After the show we walked across the street to Johnny Rockets to enjoy a nice tasty meal. 

Fernbank Planetarium

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  • Experienced a world of adventure filled with dinosaurs and live animals such as snakes.
  •  Also sat down in the planetarium and learned about constellations in the sky. 

Bodies The Exhibit and California Pizza

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  • Learned all about our human bodies.
  • Over 200 actual human bodies and specimens dissected and displayed. 
  • Afterwards we all went and enjoyed some hot oven fresh pizza at California Pizza Kitchen. 

Brunch

  • Breakfast and Lunch? Or better yet we like to call it Brunch! 
  • Tacos and Spaghetti are always yummier when you cook it yourself.
  • Creating a grocery list, shopping at Sprouts, and making the food with love all took place.   
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Chefs of Y.A.W.A

Dinner and a Show at Nakato

  • Experienced what it as like to formally dine at a Japanese Steak House.
  • Got to watch culinary skills at first hand while enjoying a tasty dinner. 

A Night Out at the Alliance Theater 

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  • We started with a meal at Tin Lizzy's.
  • Explored public transportation (Marta) around Midtown. For a couple of the YAWA members this was their first time riding the Marta. 
  • We finished the night with a play at the Alliance Theatre. 

High Museum of Art 

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  • We saw exhibits Al Taylor, What Are You Looking At?
  • Amy Elkins: Black Is Day, Black Is Night

Infinity Energy Center 

  • The Grinch meets the Nutcracker, inspired by Dr. Seuss' classic children's story.
  • This ballet foretells the story of the ultimate Christmas hater, who along the way battles against the nutcracker and many more.