The BRIDGES HDS Foundation Program at Cypress Bay High School is more than just a class. It is an opportunity with those on the Autism spectrum to learn how to better socialize, money management, and other necessary life skills for independent functioning. Such things as these aren’t always taught in traditional classroom settings, as illustrating real-life scenarios can be difficult in the classroom. That is why the BRIDGES HDS Foundation Program at Cypress Bay program frequently takes students on field trips where they can practice socializing, managing budgets, and other such skills that can easily be taken for granted by those not affected with Autism. Some of the great field trips and activities that this BRIDGES group have taken part of this year included:
- Anthony’s Coal Fired Pizza
- Bank of America
- Weston Diner
- Chick-Fil-A
- Homecoming: Spirit Week and Baychella
- Panera Bread
On each field trip, the students were able to such things manage their money, calculated tips where appropriate, and socialize with students and persons unfamiliar to them. They even were able to open personal bank accounts on their trip to Bank of America with grant money provided by the HDS Foundation.
It’s field trips and activities such as these that make BRIDGES HDS Foundation Program at Cypress Bay so successful and a benefit to those who participate in the program. If you would like to contribute to this, or other great programs sponsored in part by the HDS Foundation, you can email us at [email protected] or donate directly on our website: https://www.hdsfoundation.org/donate/.
