New Fitness Program at YMCA to Help Teens, Young Adults with Special Needs

The will be helping those with special needs get fit and stay social through a new program in conjunction with Ridgewood-based autism advocacy group the Daniel Jordan Fiddle Foundation.

The program, titled "F.I.T. Together," will offer small group step aerobics and socialization two days a week for older teens and young adults impacted by Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD).

YMCA Executive Director Julie Gallanty said the program is particularly needed for those in the 16-29 age range.

"There aren't a lot of programs available for that age population," Gallanty said, adding that it's a group that's particularly at risk for getting out of shape.

Gallanty said it's a repetitive class that works well with the participants, but the socialization is also an important hallmark of the program.

"What we do is we register the young autistic adults and then they each have a mentor so volunteers will work one-on-one with the participants to stay on track by doing the aerobics with them, cooling down and then there's socialization."

Linda Fiddle, the former New York lawyer-turned head of the Daniel Jordan Fiddle Foundation, which bears her son's name, worked with the YMCA in developing the program and provided a grant to help with funding.

A test program was developed, and Gallanty said it was so well received and participants found it so rewarding, they'd be expanding to offer the class from Feb. 21-April 21 17 on Monday and Friday nights.

The program is specifically for those with ASD who have sufficient communication and self-help skills to independently participate. The program is not for those with behavioral or sensory challenges, YMCA officials say.

Councilman Paul Aronsohn, who chairs the Ridgewood Community Access Network (CAN), a civic group that aims to improve the lives of those with disabilities in Ridgewood, said he's impressed with the new program.

"What the YMCA and the Daniel Jordan Fiddle Foundation are doing is absolutely wonderful. Through their partnership, they are touching the lives of young people with autism in a profoundly important way," he said.

The YMCA is looking for a minimum of six participants and a maximum of 14, for the program, which costs $120 for the eight weeks. A scholarship program is offered for financial assistance to families should they qualify. All participants must be YMCA members.

Volunteers are also needed, so high school students and up are encouraged to join, Gallanty said. "You don't have to be in great shape," she added. Gallanty can be reached at (201) 444 5600, ext. 332 or email – jgallanty@ridgewoodym.org.