Major League Soccer organization Chivas USA recently partnered with Hermosa Beach-based FirstSteps for Kids and Autism Speaks to host their first annual Chivas USA HEART Soccer Camp Series at the Home Depot Center in Carson.
Started by the Chivas USA Team as an effort to reach out and support the special needs community, the HEART Soccer Camp included a 60-minute soccer clinic taught by official Chivas coaches.
More than 60 children with Autism and their siblings attended the complimentary camp that included passing, dribbling and shooting drills, followed by short scrimmage games. All attendees enjoyed face painting and received a commemorative t-shirt, tickets to an upcoming Chivas USA game, and goodie bags that included donations from Whole Foods Market, Pages: A Bookstore, Adventurplex and Murad Skin Care. McDonalds provided a health snack of apple slices and Coca-Cola donated bottled water.
“We are proud to have partnered with Chivas USA and Autism Speaks to provide an amazing opportunity for children and families affected by Autism and related disorders,” stated Amy Cusack, FirstSteps for Kids Director of Communications & Community Outreach, “The kids had such a fantastic time playing on the fields at the Home Depot Center – it is certainly an event we will never forget.”
Statistics show that one in every 110 children is diagnosed with autism, making it more common than childhood cancer, juvenile diabetes and pediatric AIDS combined. One out of 70 boys is diagnosed with autism, in the United States alone.
- FirstSteps for Kids instructor Christina Kowan and kids at the Chivas USA HEART Soccer watch a ball head toward the goal.
“Our club is really very proud of our HEART Soccer Camps series because it’s filling a void for children with special needs and their families.” said Nadia Gonzalez, Sr. Manager of Community Affairs for Chivas USA. “Families have expressed how hard it can be to find programs that meet their needs. It makes us happy to continue bringing the joy of soccer into the lives of more children every year.”
Chivas USA launched its HEART Soccer Camps program this season to provide a unique program that connects the game of soccer to children with special needs. From soccer clinics for the visually-impaired to children dealing with behavioral disorders, Chivas USA’s HEART Soccer Camps demonstrate that children and youth can overcome their physical limitations and enjoy soccer.
“The cool weather provided a perfect day for soccer,” FirstSteps Program Director, Kristen Carmi said. “The kiddos participated in structured drills and then moved into scrimmaging by the end. Everyone – the kids, parents and FirstSteps therapists – looked to be having a blast. We are thrilled to be able to participate again next year and help Chivas build an even bigger event.”
FirstSteps for Kids is an early intensive intervention program for children with developmental delays and behavioral difficulties such as pervasive developmental disorder (PDD), Autism, and Asperger’s Syndrome. FirstSteps offers a comprehensive program based on the scientifically validated principles of Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA). The organization is dedicated to providing state-of-the-art, empirically validated treatment.
Families of children diagnosed with Autism gained support from Governor Jerry Brown this week when he signed bill SB496 into law mandating health insurance companies provide coverage for treatments of Autism and other developmental disorders. In the past, health insurance companies were notoriously denying coverage to thousands of children in the state of California, as they claimed that the types of therapy offered to children with special needs were not medical, but rather educational. But, even in the face of concerns over costs, Governor Brown signed the bill which will take effect in July of 2012.
Bill sponsor Senator Bill Steinberg (D-Sacramento) said in a statement: “The science clearly shows that treating the mind through behavioral therapy is no different than treating a broken arm or a heart condition,” and that the newly signed bill was “the difference between despair and hope” for many families.
For more information, visit FirstStepsforKids.com.
