Atty's Place A Neurodiverse Universe
Providing an out of this world experience that enables every child to shine bright in a galaxy full of stars.
Welcome to Atty's Place
Who We Are
Atty's Place is a family-owned, indoor recreation center equipped with interactive projectors, sound and lighting systems, and other tactile equipment to create a unique sensory experience for all its visitors. It was founded in 2024, after we, the Southwick-Kaiser family, grew tired of an ongoing lack of accommodating options for indoor recreation for our neurodiverse family, so we decided to create something that would be inclusive, affordable, and accessible to children of all abilities.
Megan and Trevor's son Atticus was the first in the family to be diagnosed with autism before his 3rd birthday in 2021. Megan was diagnosed next while working as a marriage family therapist. What began as a journey learning how to raise a child on the spectrum blossomed into a journey of self-discovery. Their daughter Berlin was diagnosed with ADHD in 5th grade and was diagnosed with autism two years later in 2023. Gavin was diagnosed with autism as a freshman in 2023. Trevor was not diagnosed with ADHD until 26. He received his autism diagnosis in March 2024 at 31 while working in the nonprofit sector managing an outdoor campground for people experiencing homelessness. Megan and Trevor's youngest, Salem, was diagnosed in July 2024, at only 2 years old.
While the positions Trevor and Megan held prior were incredibly important, they both knew in their hearts they had been called to create something truly inclusive for all families blessed with special loved ones like Atticus. On March 3rd, 2024, Trevor impulsively started the process by purchasing the web domain as a first step towards making this dream come true...
Our Philosophy
At Atty's Place, we understand the vital role that participation in recreational activity plays in social and emotional development. This is especially true for the members of our community with autism and other developmental disorders. We encourage creativity, exploration, and learning through safe, fun play; and we strive to foster a lifelong love of learning through an atmosphere of innovative design that provides an unforgettable experience to our space explorers of ALL abilities.
We as parents diagnosed as older adults, we wished we had been equipped with the social and emotional tools to understand how our brains worked. We knew we were different but we did not know why. As parents of 4 children on the spectrum, we understand how isolating it can be raising children that are unique like ours. We see Atty's Place not just as a recreation center providing support to the individuals there to explore, but as a catalyst for parents and loved ones to build community with people that share and understand our lived experiences. We see it as an opportunity to improve social connectivity between parents and children alike.
AbouT Us
Mission
Our mission is to provide a safe and inclusive sensory play environment for children of all abilities, where they can explore, learn, and thrive. We are committed to creating a welcoming space that promotes sensory engagement, social interaction, and personal growth. Our family-owned facility is designed to create an enriching experience for visitors and families of all abilities, and we strive to foster a sense of community and understanding. Through innovative programs, compassionate staff, and tailored experiences, we aim to enhance the lives of those we serve and promote acceptance and inclusivity for all.
Vision
Our vision is to be a leading provider of sensory play experiences for individuals with autism, setting the standard for excellence in inclusive and supportive programming. We envision a future where our family-owned facility is recognized as a beacon of hope and empowerment for the autism community, inspiring positive change and fostering a sense of belonging. Through continuous innovation, collaboration with experts, and a deep commitment to understanding the unique needs of individuals with autism, we aspire to create a world where every individual feels valued, respected, and celebrated for who they are. Our positive change, driving awareness, acceptance, and inclusion for individuals with autism and their families.
Values
- Striving for Growth
- Embracing Change
- Welcoming All Differences
- Incorporating the Spirit of Innovation in All We Do
- Building Community in the Communities We Operate
Our Staff
Atty's Place is comprised of experts in a wide range of helping disciplines including social work, marriage family therapy, and education. Our team are experienced professionals committed to creating unforgettable memories for all our participants. Each staff member completes a comprehensive training program on competency areas including autism and sensory sensitivity and awareness that is centered around providing the best explorative experience for you and your loved ones.
Our Credentials
Our team has a combined professional experience of over 40 years in human services across disciplines including social work, marriage family therapy, program design, grant writing, policy advocacy, and special education. We are a group of compassionate professionals whose lives are fortunate enough to have been touched by someone(s) with autism. Between our professional and lived experiences, we are committed to changing lives by bringing them together. We are currently in the process of completing IBCCES certification to be a Certified Autism Center.
What We Need
We need you to never give up. We know how firsthand that many unique challenges that come from raising kids that are different. We also know what it's like growing up in this world undiagnosed and the pitfalls of not having the tools and services we needed to be successful at those key developmental years. At Atty's Place, we WELCOME different. We opened our doors with the unique differences of others in mind. Our hope is that Atty's Place creates a space that brings joy and happiness to each and every person that travels into our galaxy. Thank you so much for believing in us. Each and every one of you are THE reason why we made this dream come true.