Crossroads hosts Social DisDance Party for World Autism Awareness

Marlborough, MA, April 8, 2020 – More than 55 households joined a virtual party hosted by Crossroads on Thursday night, dancing with their families, roommates, and pets. Many people also donated to the Social DisDance Party, raising $1,600 in only 4 days between the event and when it was announced earlier that week.

Because of the novel coronavirus sweeping across the nation, businesses everywhere are closed to the public. Crossroads, a nonprofit organization for individuals with autism based in Marlborough, MA, hosted a “Social DisDance Party,” inviting members of the community to join together in dance over a video conferencing platform. The party was a chance to foster community, celebrate World Autism Awareness Day, and ask individuals to donate what they could to support the organization during the pandemic.

The music teacher, Kayla McLaughlin, led the group in a warm-up song with music played through her computer, and then allowed the group to “freestyle” for a few songs before turning it back to the CEO, Mark Dumas, Ph.D., who was also dancing with his family.

Dumas thanked the participants, as well as their Hero Partners, Definitive Healthcare, Hunneman, Middlesex Savings Bank, and Modular Concepts, who have committed to supporting Crossroads throughout the year. Dumas then asked the participants to join him in a round of applause for healthcare workers, emergency service workers, and all the individuals who are risking their lives to keep us all safe during this crisis.

Crossroads is one of many organizations coming up with creative virtual events to supplement their losses during the COVID-19 pandemic. In addition to losing revenue from cancelled services, Crossroads has also cancelled and postponed annual fundraising events such as the Apex Blue Drinks, Autism Awareness Fitness classes, and their annual 5K and Family Fun Day, which was budgeted to raise $50,000.

“It was the highlight of my week! Seeing everyone’s smiling faces again was incredible,” said Kelley Borer-Miller, CFRE, Development Director at Crossroads School. “We’re continuously trying to think of exciting and creative new ways to engage our community and celebrate our students. We want our community to know that our staff are still working to provide the best education for our students. Just because our doors are closed, doesn’t mean we stop supporting our families.”

Crossroads typically holds autism awareness events throughout the month of April. April 2 is World Autism Awareness Day, a global holiday to bring awareness to the social and communication disorder that effects 1 in 54 individuals. Every year, Crossroads partners with local businesses and community partners in Marlborough, including the Apex Entertainment Center, who for the past two years have donated a portion of proceeds from a blue specialty cocktail back to the organization, a nod to the “Light it Up Blue” movement started in 2010 by Autism Speaks. Events like these foster community, spread awareness and education of the disorder, and raise funds to support Crossroads students, clients, and staff. This year, however, the celebration looked different, as people are staying at home to help prevent the spread of COVID-19.

The students, who typically receive 2:1 or 1:1 education, are at home with their families, but the staff at Crossroads is helping students and their families by creating materials tailored to their new home-learning routines and helping parents troubleshoot any problem behavior that is happening as the result of the disrupted routine. Additionally, Virtual Music classes are offered six times a week, home-based services are being offered via telehealth, and the teachers are providing individualized remote learning for each student.

Parents and staff agree, the highlight of the shutdown has been the virtual activities, especially the Social DisDance Party. It was such an overwhelming success, that the organization plans to make it a weekly event, even adding themes, like this week’s Disney dress-up Social DisDance Party, where participants are encouraged to dress like their favorite Disney character as they dance to a Disney themed playlist. The event is free of charge, and everyone is welcome to participate. You can register at www.crossroadsschoolma.org/social-disdance.

About Crossroads School

Crossroads was established in 2002 to provide individualized, comprehensive education and related services to individuals with autism and other related disabilities. Autism, or autism spectrum disorder (ASD), refers to a broad range of conditions characterized by challenges with social skills, repetitive behaviors, speech and nonverbal communication. Crossroads addresses these challenges with an intensive staffing model; all services are provided in a staffing ratio of one direct-care staff to two students/clients or one-to-one. These intense educational and behavioral supports are required due to high rates of challenging behavior (e.g., aggression, self-injury, property destruction) and/or the individual’s cognitive deficits and the level of prompting required for learning. Those served by Crossroads at school and through home-based services program require highly individualized curricula to meet their educational and behavioral goals.

In response to our student’s needs for a structure routine, Crossroads School operates year-round, providing consistent educational instruction and related services 226 days a year to enhance quality of life and independent functioning so students and clients may reach their full potential. Home-based services are delivered in partnership with clients’ families and include parent training so parents can apply best practices in the home and together prevent the need for residential placement. Since moving to Marlborough in 2017, Crossroads has experienced tremendous growth and success. The Marlborough Regional Chamber of Commerce recognized Crossroads as 2018 Business of the Year. To learn more about Crossroads, visit www.crossroadsschoolma.org.