How the City of Piedmont’s latest program provides inclusive experiences for neurodiverse children and families
The City of Piedmont Recreation Department (PRD) believes that recreation is for everyone. Creating Sidekicks in 2021 was crucial in addressing a significant gap in services for the local neurodiverse community.
Sidekicks is an adaptive program of after-school and weekend classes during the school year and camps throughout the summer. The program’s initiatives are exclusively designed for neurodiverse kids ages 4-15. Everyone deserves to feel a sense of belonging. The program has resonated with residents by honoring the following principles: inclusivity and accessibility, thoughtful design, collaboration with experienced and passionate experts, community engagement, feedback and adaptation, and sustainable growth.
Powered By Teen Volunteers
Neurodiversity is gaining more recognition, and programs like Sidekicks play a pivotal role in shifting perceptions. The term neurodiversity acknowledges and embraces the variety of ways the human brain functions and processes information. It also suggests that differences in brain functioning, such as those seen in conditions like autism, ADHD, dyslexia, and other neurodevelopmental variations, are natural and should be valued as part of human diversity, rather than seen solely as deficits or disorders. Sidekicks actively embraces the unique ways in which brains function by creating curricula that support neurodiverse children.
PRD’s vision is grounded in a deep understanding of the needs of neurodiverse families. The Sidekicks team has taken an innovative and collaborative approach to addressing an identified need — who are we not serving? When conceptualizing the program, Eva Phalen, Piedmont Recreation Department Supervisor and visionary for Sidekicks, embraced the saying, “Start small, start today.” In 2021, Sidekicks began with just two after-school classes. PRD now offers more than 15 different programs throughout the year, including sports and movement classes and social groups. This practical and straightforward method of building a new—and daunting—initiative enabled progress and established a solid foundation for the intentional development of the program.
Operationally, Sidekicks consists of three main components: building a passionate teaching team, training teen volunteers to support each program, and designing a thoughtful program, including educational and psychological-based modifications. The current roster of programs includes but is not limited to sports (tennis, soccer, basketball, baseball, and football), art, Legos, dance, martial arts, and yoga, as well as the beloved Social Group.
Sidekicks instructors are carefully vetted to ensure a successful fit. They are either sourced from existing PRD programs (e.g., tennis and soccer) or from community members/organizations (e.g., United States Tennis Association, UC Berkeley, Future Stars Baseball, etc.) with a passion for serving the neurodiverse community. It is not necessary for instructors to be experts in order to create a successful program. With a love for children, a passion for teaching all types of learning, flexibility, and an ability to adapt a curriculum/teaching style, the rest can be learned. Ideal instructors believe in the unique strengths that neurodiverse children contribute to those around them and, by extension, their community.
PRD provides training in curriculum preparation and is available to collaborate with individual instructors during the development process. An appropriate facility is provided for each class, accounting for ADA accessibility, eloping possibilities, and indoor versus outdoor options. In addition, staff provide advice on how best to modify the materials and class pace. Forming an early partnership with an instructor ultimately sets students up for success.
Instructors would not be able to teach these adaptive classes without the support of teen volunteers (ages 14+), colloquially known as Teen Sidekicks. Staff aim to supply each instructor with sufficient Teen Sidekicks for a 2:1 student-to-Sidekick ratio. Instructors can choose to utilize Teen Sidekicks to partner with an individual student (i.e., 1-on-1), assign them to a small group of students, run a station, or float and assist children as needed. With the trained help of the Teen Sidekicks, instructors can focus on teaching the class and not be pulled away to address specific behavioral needs.
The summer of 2024 marked Sidekicks’ third summer. There was an overwhelming number of applicants, and more than 60 Teen Sidekicks assisted. These empathic and responsible teens have either been personally touched by neurodiversity and/or enjoy working with children, and have a desire to expand their knowledge in working in an inclusive environment. Teen Sidekicks serve as young, positive role models who depict how to have fun and give back to the community. A camper’s mom recently shared that, when her son started attending Sidekicks, she worried that a young teen would not be able to support him. Later, she shared her amazement at the teens’ incredible ability to connect with her son in a way adults cannot. As a result, she has invited several of the teens into her family and employed them to babysit!
Besides being a unique and rewarding experience, Teen Sidekicks fulfill their high school volunteer requirements, thus strengthening their college applications. Some Teen Sidekicks have even rerouted their university and college major selections due to their experience. Joseph S., who has volunteered since the inception of Sidekicks, says, “I have really enjoyed working the last three years at Sidekicks, which has sparked my interest in neuroscience and human development academically. I am applying to college this year, and I am currently planning to enter school with a focus on those two subjects.”
The program’s goal is to provide each Sidekick with the tools needed to problem-solve situations as they arise. Attending an expert-led training before they begin working with students gives teens the necessary confidence to succeed. Each Sidekick receives a branded backpack that includes several fidget toys, some visual aids, and a small first aid kit. PRD emboldens Teen Sidekicks to trust their intuition and assures them that trained adults are always available to help during a situation and debrief afterward. This training and support allow Teen Sidekicks to navigate difficult situations with compassion and ease.
Families of neurodiverse children may be apprehensive to register due to a previous negative experience outside of Sidekicks and a fear that their children won’t succeed. The children may have been denied entry into another program, released prematurely, or treated disrespectfully. Sidekicks is a program of yes. When challenges arise, staff members collaborate respectfully with families, and, together, they adapt by implementing creative and positive approaches to keep the children in the program. All children and families deserve to feel included.
Leaders constantly solicit feedback from families as the program continues. A Sidekicks parent recently shared, “Even when my son has had challenging moments, I have always felt that the program staff at Sidekicks were invested in his success and committed to understanding his needs and building on his strengths.” Many families share that, without Sidekicks, their children would be stuck at home, missing out on the experience of childhood.
Start Small, Start Today
Initially, Phalen was discouraged, worrying that her minimal knowledge of appropriate, adaptive curriculum and the necessary modifications might hinder the program’s success. She quickly discovered she wasn’t alone and, as in so many other initiatives, it takes a village. She reached out to several local organizations as well as existing community partners that were already well-versed in adaptive programming (e.g., special-education staff in a nearby school district). One provider shared her excitement for additional programming, stating, “It’s a desert out there.” Through each phone call, Phalen began networking and forming the framework for Sidekicks.
PRD constantly learns what works, how to improve the program, and how to create a safe and fun environment. After each session, staff considers all feedback from families, the Teen Sidekicks, and the parents. This information is valuable and enrolls Sidekicks’ partners in the department’s mission. To continue being a program of “yes,” it is pertinent that PRD is adaptable. What classes have been successful and, perhaps, more importantly, what classes haven’t worked and why? Who isn’t being served, and how can the department reach them? How can leaders support Teen Sidekicks to ensure they feel equipped and return year after year?
Sidekicks has made a huge impact in a short amount of time, ensuring that the most vulnerable children in the community feel a sense of belonging and value. This innovative program may not be rocket science, but it required the support of the Recreation Director, city leadership, and the city council. All partners saw the value and have been the program’s biggest cheerleaders.
For departments hoping to replicate this impactful program and adapt it to the local community, below is a list of ways to start small and start today:
- Who is your village? Reach out to local organizations as well as existing community partners who are already well-versed in adaptive programming. Ask if they are available to help create an inclusive program and/or teach a one-hour class after school or on a weekend. Connect with clinicians who service neurodiverse children. A few possible contacts to consider:
- Special-education staff in a local school district
- Paraprofessionals
- Speech therapists
- United States Tennis Association (USTA) — the organization runs adaptive programming throughout the country and is willing to help start tennis programs in local communities!
- Local parent groups for inclusivity — share the program’s vision and express a willingness to not only learn from parents, but also to help bring recreation opportunities to their children. What types of classes do their children want? Can they connect the department with potential instructors?
- Start with one class: Consider a teacher or coach who would be a great fit or who has expressed interest. Offer a one-time (free?) “Play Day” on a weekend for families to try it out.
- Teen Sidekicks: Utilize local high schools. Create a flyer and share it with the guidance counselor and special-education director. Promote the teen-volunteer opportunity in any marketing outreach (e.g., e-newsletters, press releases, local newspapers, social media, etc.). Reach out to teenagers who already volunteer for the organization. Also, is there a Best Buddies chapter nearby that would be willing to share information?
- Marketing/Administrative: Use the local resources listed above to promote. Don’t reinvent the wheel—PRD has created several marketing tools that other departments are welcome to utilize (e.g., participant intake form, parent agreement, Teen Sidekick application and interview questions, etc.).
- It Takes A Village: PRD would love to share best practices with your organization and be your sidekick! For more information on how to create an inclusive program, contact sidekicks@piedmont.ca.gov.
