By: Christopher Calvano
BLUE BELL,PA--Life with Asperger syndrome can be challenging. For those who don’t know, Asperger’s Syndrome is an autism spectrum disorder characterized by difficulties in social and communication skills.
While there are many services for children with autism spectrum disorders, the challenges they face often continue into adulthood.
The New Horizons Club located in Montgomery County seeks to bridge that gap and provides help for adults with Asperger’s to build social connections, and learn to live independently.
The club’s membership mainly consists of adults ages 18-40 from various regions in Southeastern Pennsylvania. Monthly meetings are held in the Montgomery County Human Services building on the fourth Tuesday of every month.
These meetings and social outings give members opportunities to expand their social horizons and meet with like-minded people that would not be possible outside the group.
BLUE BELL,PA--Life with Asperger syndrome can be challenging. For those who don’t know, Asperger’s Syndrome is an autism spectrum disorder characterized by difficulties in social and communication skills.
While there are many services for children with autism spectrum disorders, the challenges they face often continue into adulthood.
The New Horizons Club located in Montgomery County seeks to bridge that gap and provides help for adults with Asperger’s to build social connections, and learn to live independently.
The club’s membership mainly consists of adults ages 18-40 from various regions in Southeastern Pennsylvania. Monthly meetings are held in the Montgomery County Human Services building on the fourth Tuesday of every month.
These meetings and social outings give members opportunities to expand their social horizons and meet with like-minded people that would not be possible outside the group.
“Before I was a member I was not very open to making new friends,” says New Horizons member Liz Yuhas. “Now I am. The group has given me a new sense of confidence not only in the group but outside of the group. It has given me the confidence to talk in front of a group about my disability, to reach out to customers in my job and the ability to distribute communion at church.”
Paul Gever, the facilitator of the group since 2005, has noticed many changes since he started. “When I first began leading the group, meetings were to me, oddly quiet,” says Gever, who noted that over time members began to learn to converse more freely. “Now I can’t get them to shut up!”
In addition to monthly meetings the New Horizons Club holds many social events. Such events include attending sporting events, movies, and festivals; events hosted by members such as holiday parties, super bowl parties, and book clubs; and vacations, most notably to Avalon and Knoebels Amusement Resort.
Another side effect of the club’s success, says Gever, is that some members “have made enough lasting friendships in the group that they now simply do their own thing. Obviously, we miss those folks who have moved on to what are for them greener pastures, but we have to celebrate them as their successes are truly our successes.”
Despite this, the club continues to grow and is always encouraging new members to join. “You could have the ability to make new friends and memories,” Yuhas says. “You can try new things and have a new appreciation for them. To see if you like the group you can come to a meeting or two.”
The club will be holding its sixth annual beef and beer fundraiser on Friday, November 21, 2014 at North Penn VFW Post 676 in Glenside, Pa. Montgomery County Community College students and others are welcome to attend.
For more information on the New Horizons Club visit www.newhorizonsclub.org or facebook.com/NewHorizonsClub.
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