Our activities are set up by sourcing the best available coach and location / hall and providing a parent coordinator who mostly attends the event and will supervise. You must be registered prior to booking an event. If you have any concerns at an event please contact one of our two children’s officers. Contact details are on our homepage . We can never thank our amazing sports officers, volunteers, parent coordinators and sports halls enough for always putting our children’s needs first.
Further enquiries can be made by emailing us on info@openspectrum.ie or via our Facebook page.
1. Social Club
This group is for ages 13-22 years. Held in the basement floor of Booterstown Parish Center, Booterstown Avenue. This event takes place on a monthly basis on Friday evenings from 7-8.30pm. The cost is €50 for 5 sessions. A place to get to meet others with activities (e.g quizzes and art) changing on a monthly basis. Volunteer to teen ratio is 1:2. Light refreshments are served.
2. Karate
Held in Patrician community center, Stillorgan and run in conjunction with Rathdown Karate club and esteemed veteran coach, Paul Dowling. This activity is held on a Saturday morning at 9 am during term time . The age limit is over 6. The session is split into group work and one to one breakout time. This activity is particularly recommended for ASD young people.
3.Active Connections 1:1 Water Sports
Active Connections Water Sports camps are held when circumstances allow in Dun Laoghaire Harbour over one week or two during the summer. These camps offer one to one support and are particularly recommended for our young people who need this level of support. Morning or afternoon sessions are provided over four days.
4. Golf
Held in conjunction with Greystones Golf Club. This event takes place on a Saturday morning during term time. We currently run three sessions back to back from 11am-2pm. The age limit is over 8 . The parent coordinator has attended the Ernie Els # Game on Autism golf program . The sessions take place indoors and outdoors using the swing room , driving range and practice green .
5. Athletics
This event is currently held in DLR Leisure Monkstown and is expertly led by veteran coach Donal Norton who encourages running, hurdling, chasing, catching, turn taking and the development of gross and fine motor skills. This event takes place on a Sunday morning during term time.
6. Kayaking
As part of an outdoor adventure grant we received from DLR we purchased four double kayaks and in collaboration with Irish National Sailing School we run kayaking experiences during the summer months, either on a weekend morning or on a weekday evening.
7. Surfing
Held In conjunction with Brittas Bay surf school . This surf camp is held at Magheramore beach , Wicklow normally in late August or early September ( four Sundays in a row ) . The age limit is over 6. Parents/ carers / responsible adults take part also and wetsuits are provided for all . There are a large number of volunteers and instructors and as a result the ratio of helpers to participants is very high . We have one long board for participants who require additional needs . Generally held 10 am to 11 am for session one and 11.30 am to 12.30 am for session two .
8. Dance
Held in Guardian Angels community centre on a Saturday morning at 10am, this is a speical dance class organised by the Leinster School of Dance for teenagers. Dance camp is held in the summer month of July .
9. Quarry Climbing
Held at Dalkey Quarry each July . You can book into one weekend day at a time.
10. Art Therapy
Provided by highly experienced special needs SNA turned Art Therapist Kate Hoey these sessions are currently held in Stillorgan on a 1:1 basis thanks to generous sponsorship.
11, Tennis
Takes place in Rosemount School, Sandyford, on a weekday afternoon in term time.
12. Orienteering
Held in conjuction with Orienteering Ireland, these sessions usually take place in the autumn in Cabinteely Park.
13.Music and Movement with Carrie
This activity is for 4 to 8 year olds in Stillorgan and encourages the very young to engage with sound and movement in a whole new way. Carrie Harding is hugely experienced with ASD young people and invites a small class to attend with parents.
14. Canoeing
Organised with Canoe Ireland, this highly resourced activity sees us taking to the Liffey in canoes in a way which is suitable for those who require 1:1 attention.