Advance LA’s 2nd Annual, 2014 Day for Young Adults took place on July 19th at AJU in Los Angeles. The one-of-a-kind event was a sold out success! Designed for teens and young adults with ASD, ADHD, Learning Differences and Social & Emotional Challenges, the day featured a wide-selection of interactive workshops for attendees to engage with peers and provide them with the opportunity to practice new skills related to transitioning, sparking passions and cultivating new relationships.
The event drew 115 young adult attendees, ages 16 to 29 years old. Participants enjoyed workshops on topics including speed friending, college success and stress management. The day of interactive workshops gave participants a chance to learn a wide-range of practical skills, including mindful awareness techniques through yoga and an introduction to hands-on robotics. The ice cream social and dance party gave participants a great way to engage with peers and end the afternoon as a group, sharing experiences from their time together.
The Day for Young Adults proved once again to be a meaningful experience for everyone. “My son really enjoyed today’s event, and I learned quite a bit too,” shared one parent. More than 50 parents attended the morning or afternoon parent sessions designed to facilitate support and share experiences and resources.
What made the day truly special were the young people who shared how they’d hoped to make social connections while learning something new – and left Young Adult Day with smiles on their faces, phone numbers of new friends, and an array of useful tools to foster their independence.