Bellevue College Video Game Tournament to Benefit Campus Autism Program

Gamers of any age can rev up their Super Mario Kart engines for a good cause.

On Saturday Bellevue College will hold the second-annual Autism Awareness Video Game Tournament to raise funds for its Autism Spectrum Navigators program, which helps autistic students achieve success in the classroom.

Entry to compete in the tournament is $10, but admission to the event is free.

The event will include several seminars will help educate parents and others about autism and a silent auction with a variety of items, including an exclusive tour of the studios of Valve Software, the producer of the popular “Portal” video game series and other best-selling titles.

Bellevue College created the Autism Spectrum Navigators program in 2011 to help autistic students gain the skills necessary to complete college and lead a productive life. Students in the program have access to a network of support, including meetings each week with trained peer mentors and participation in group classes and discussions, according to a Bellevue College press release.

“The money raised at last year’s event has helped our program nearly triple the number of students we serve. With support from the community, we’re hoping to raise even more money this year, so we can help more autistic students at Bellevue College succeed,” said Sara Gardner, the program’s manager in a press release.

For more information about the Autism Spectrum Navigators program go to http://www.facebook.com/ASNavigators.

Seminar Schedule

• Transition starts now: Preparing your student for college and beyond – 11:45 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.
• Your brain on video games –12:45 to 1:30 p.m.
• A panel of& Bellevue College students currently in the Autism Spectrum Navigators program will discuss their experiences living with the condition – 1:45 to 2:30 p.m.
• Trusting your instincts: Choosing autism therapies – 2:45 to 3:30 p.m.

If you go

Second-annual Autism Awareness Video Game Tournament, Saturday, April 13; 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. It will be held in the cafeteria, C Building on the main campus of Bellevue College, 3000 Landerholm Circle SE. People of all ages and abilities are welcome to participate in the tournament. Admission to the event and the seminars is free; $10 fee to participate in the tournament. Contact Sara Gardner, program manager, at 425-564-2172 or sara.gardner@bellevuecollege.edu.