About Us
Introduction
Rahul’s Clubhouse is a centre where both children and adults who are diagnosed with Autism, can engage in sensory-friendly activities to help them develop intellectually, mentally, and emotionally. It is an Autism-friendly space which provides a range of educational and social activities for autistic persons. It was opened on February 1st 2022, and is located at No.19, Eleventh Street, Union Park East, Marabella.
At Rahul’s Clubhouse, both children and young adults, diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder, can participate in sensory-oriented games and activities. We offer a variety of activities which are tailored to the specific needs of the autistic person. These include speech therapy; art sessions, a V.I.P (Very Inclusive Play) Kids Club, craft sessions, yoga, and dance, amongst others. In our vision of creating equal access to opportunities for autistic persons, we offer all our programmes at a nominal cost.
Rahul’s Clubhouse started when our Autism Youth advocate and 2020 Diana Award recipient, Maya Nanan, was the recipient of a grant from the Queen’s Commonwealth Trust, Youth Ventures Programme, in commemoration of the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee. Maya, Founder/Director of the Siblings and Friends Network (originally the youth arm of Support Autism T&T) was 1 of 4 recipients from the Caribbean region. As a precursor to the award, QCT’s head of operations and finance, Ms. Helen Baxter spent a week at Rahul’s Clubhouse to help establish policies and protocols in keeping with UK standards and the QCT continues to provide structural-building support to the Clubhouse.
Rahul’s Clubhouse include:
<> An Autism Sensory Calm room.
<> An Autism Sensory Playroom.
<> Training room.
<> An Activity room.
Target Group
Our programmes are designed for any individual diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder. In the past year, we have facilitated sessions for both children and adults. Many of the young adults have not been in any educational institution for some years; some were forced to drop out when covid struck because the online learning environment did not cater to their needs; others never attended schools; some were enrolled in schools but need the extra individual attention that they do not get in a classroom with 15-plus other children.
For many of the younger ones, it was their first time interacting with anyone outside of their homes. For the older ones, the adults, here was an opportunity for them to engage in activities such as art and craft, dance and yoga in a fun manner, without having to sit for long periods, with facilitators who are understanding of their needs and who would go that extra mile to make sure that they are learning.
In an attempt to make our programmes equally accessible to persons from lower income groups and single parent households, we engage in fundraising activities and collaborations with corporate entities to offer scholarships and bursaries.
Our Objectives and Goals
a. To develop programmes that can be equally accessible to individuals diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder in Trinidad and Tobago.
b. To provide facilities, resources, and an empowered team in a sensory-friendly environment.
c. To provide opportunities for persons with autism to engage in social, educational, life skills and recreational activities.
d. To facilitate learning and development in a fun and creative manner.