RE Spectrum is an amazing resource for the community. I have the opportunity to work with many non-profits and RE Spectrum is doing fantastic work. They fill the gaps for so many people that may otherwise not receive the needed and necessary benefits that will improve their quality of life and decrease the impact of their disabilities throughout a lifetime. 5 Stars all the way!!
Hi volunteered with the ReSpesctrum team and was so impressed with their knowledge and experience with Autism. The children they work with clearly look forward to the time they spend with them. The program leaders give each volunteer and child a great deal of individual attention. During my time volunteering there were few children who struggled with following the program but if a problem did arise, it was dealt with in a calm reassuring and caring manner. The child in question always returned to the activities in bright spirits and a willingness to participate. The volunteer training was thorough and gave me as well as my colleagues all the tools needed to deal with any possible situation. I will be continuing to volunteer with this organization and would recommend it to anybody who is, knows of or is related to somebody with Autism.
If you are reading this there is a chance that you are seeking services for yourself or for a friend affected by autism or aspergers. When searching resources online it can be a challenge to really figure out what is a fit for you because you can't interact with the staff on a personal level. I could tell you about some of the services that ReSpectrum provides but that can be found on the website, so instead I am going to sing the praises of the staff and volunteers. As an intern in 2012, I had the privilege of working with Courtney and I cannot say anything but amazing things about her. She knows what you are going through, and has the training and background to help you or your friends and family. Like Courtney, each ReSpectrum volunteer is invested in his or her client and is an asset to the community!
I've heard countless great things about this organization and its tireless efforts to enhance the lives of families of autism. The ReSpectrum Community's impact is immeasurable.
They helped my whole family. We learned to understand our son more and worked with us one in one as a group, and two at a time. My sons play together better, my husband and son can play catch together for the first time. The science group helped my son learn how to make and keep healthy friendships.
The volunteers and professionals at RE Spectrum are AMAZING!!! They care so much about all the people they serve!
Re Spectrum has been working with my son for the past three years, the difference this has made in my child's life is enormous. Re Spectrum has assisted in every way you can imagine - from working directly with my child in a class environment, training his one one one aid, attending his IEP in an advocate capacity and providing specially designed behavior support plans for his school to the fun extra curricular activities offered. I would not know what to do with out them and could not speak more highly of this organization. They are truly a gift.
I volunteered for Re Spectrum's soccer programs and I was blown away by their commitment to the families and kids that they work with. The Recreational Manager made sure all the volunteers had the necessary training for how to properly and effectively help the kids in the program. I am happy to be a part of this organization and look forward to volunteering again.
I've volunteered for RE Spectrum several times, and sometimes take photos for them! RE's programs are so great for the children and parents to get involved in out of school activities. It really helps connect them to fun social activities involving sports or teamwork and gives their parents the chance to bond with other parents. It is such a great resource for those effected by Autism!! There should be more programs like this!!!
I volunteered for Respectrum and had firsthand experience with several of its employees, inluding the founder. All are highly motivated, caring, and creative in their therapy approaches. Efficiency is a key focus of their operations, ensuring that donations go a long way.
ReSpectrum is an invaluable resource in the local autism community, as well as a go-to for helping other companies and programs structure recreational programs. To know that a coach in Texas found ReSpectrum on the web and got in touch with the CEO Courtney Olinger, who helped the coach structure his soccer program for a child diagnosed with autism.....that is commitment to serving the community. This child had been turned away from multiple soccer programs, but this particular coach was willing, but didn't have the resources. ReSpectrum was the resource. All the board members and people who help keep ReSpectrum running go above and beyond. I have volunteered for ReSpectrum and will do it again!
I have been covering nonprofit events for over 12 years now as a photojournalist for local news organizations, and I can honestly say that this group of folks really stood out as one of the best! I helped shoot some pictures for their Bocce By the Bay tourney.
What surprised me was how much they accomplished with their limited resources. Lots of volunteers helped make it a smooth success. There were activities to occupy the 8 year old to the 80 year old. Soccer, bounce house, dancing, live music, free food, and a bier garten all contributed to a successful event to raise money and awareness for such a great and worthy cause. Courtney's passion about her nonprofit is truly inspiring, and contagious. I expect her organization to grow and expand in years to come and am looking forward to watching that happen. I fully support this wonderful group of professionals who are dedicated to enlightening the community. My only critique would be for them to try and advertise the event more using social media, along with the old forms of radio and TV. Overall however, they are an amazing group of individuals that i am proud to have worked with.
Christopher Maue
Photojournalist
I have volunteered for a number of Re Spectrum's programs and have always been amazed by the commitment and dedication that the organization places on including the entire family. The progress in the kids is definitely noticeable, but the services provided by Re Spectrum reach the rest of the family and truly make them part of the experience. The Lil Explorers nature walk program has been a great way for the families to get exercise, learn new things, and spend quality time together.
After offering ABA therapy for a couple years, I was excited to learn that Re Spectrum Community uses these (and other) methods to enhance skills in a fun and dynamic way; I mean, how fun are soccer, lacrosse, and yoga?
I love that Re Spectrum aims to also serve those that no longer receive services otherwise, by offering a great plethora of activities and therapies for children and youth that "fall through the cracks". It inspires me, seeing that Re Spectrum seizes every opportunity to encourage family and community involvement in its efforts to enhance the quality of life for others.
Helping out is easy, when it means fundraisers like bocce tournaments and happy hours, and volunteer opportunities like scenic nature walks and coaching our adorable little ones. I have to say, I’m proud to be a part of this organization. Go Re Spectrum Community!
I had a great experience working and volunteering with Courtney, Libby, and many others. I personally saw the changes and the difference made in each of the kids we coached in the various 'lil athletes soccer, yoga, basketball, and lacrosse groups. Respectrum makes a tangible difference in the lives of these kids and their families, as it provides them with opportunities that they normally don't have access to, and helps them out in obtaining the skills neccessary as they grow up. I can't recommend them enough.
And as a bonus, it is a lot of fun to interact with the kids, not to mention the fundraisers are a blast! I came in as an outsider with little experience to austism through family or work, and came out as an educated supporter of the ways it affects people and what can be done to help.
I was introduced to the President and the organization through another Re Spectrum board member who is a good friend of mine. i now act on the Board and I'm amazed at how much this organization has done in such a short time. It provides a wonderful service to the San Diego community and the families that utilize the services have nothing but great things to say about Re Spectrum! I'm excited to see how it grows over the coming years.
I have known the founder, President & CEO Courtney Olinger for almost 8 years now and she is an amazing person. She is selfless, 110% committed to the children who are a part of ReSpectrum. All these kids are blessed to have Courtney as their mentor, teacher and presence in their lives. She is as dedicated and hard working as they come.
Thanks Courtney
RE SPECTRUM has done a wonderful job of teaching my son (autism spectrum disorder) soccer. More than this, they have provided wonderful teachers for him who are patient, kind, tolerant, and trained to reach him where he is at. I highly recommend involvement with RE SPECTRUM.
I took my child to Re-spectrum because of the soccer classes and found it very helpful for him to socialize and learn to excercise. It is like having ABA therapy in motion. My son learned a lot during this soccer class so we decided to check other services they have available so we enrolled him in the nature walks. They read social stories, they earn tokens and at the same time enjoy nature and socialize. Ms Coutney and the volunteers are very cheerful and make their best so the kids enjoy their activities. Re-spectrum is the best! Thank you very much for all you do for our kids!
This organization is an invaluable service to the San Diego community. There is a tremendous need to serve the local autism community, not only as they get older, but also to provide fun, recreational programs that teach important behavioral and social skills. My involvement in this program comes through volunteering because of the excellent experience and professionalism of its creators, and also because of the staff's compassion to make a difference in peoples' lives. I thought I may only help out a little, but the agency is so great I decided to continually offer my time when needed.
I became a volenteer for Re Spectrum for 1. I am a father with a son on the Autism Spectrum, and 2.I felt the need for quality recreation programs led by trained staff .
Respectrum is run with a real sense of care and compassion, there is no doubt that the staff at Re Spectrum hve a passion and desire to aid the families in the Autism community.
Courtney and her staff do an amazing job putting together great programs. I look forward to the many ways that Re Spectrum will aid and inspire those in not only the Autism community but The entire community as well.
We enrolled our preschooler in ReSpectrum's Lil Athletes Soccer Program this year, and he has attended every session available since. We had never considered being able to have him involved in a sport before, because there are not many opportunities available for very young children with Autism to partake in such activities. Our teenager, who is diagnosed with Asperger's Disorder, was on a typical peer soccer league, and we would watch our younger son try to copy him, run out on the field, and show an obvious interest in the sport. We were overjoyed to find that there was a nonprofit devoted to programs specific to children on the Spectrum, because it finally afforded us the opportunity to get our little guy involved in a sport, and gave him a sense of belonging to a "team." We applied for a scholarship, and were graciously given an entire 6 week session, free of charge. My husband signed on to be a volunteer coach, giving him the opportunity to be a part of something that our son did recreationally outsid of therapy settings, which meant a lot to him, because he is a Marine, and often misses out on opportunities to get as involved as he'd like. The sessions were structured and fun for all involved, and on the days when we'd bring our older son, the coaches always found something for him to do to help out, which gave him the sense of being a role model for the younger kids. I was excited to attend each session, because I was able to watch my little guy gain so many useful skills, while feeling like he was just like any other small child on a sports team. It gave our family an opportunity to get involved, bond, and above all, experience that sense of "normalcy" that is not always easy to come by when you are the parent of a child with Autism. This unique organization has taken an entire community of parents, children, and siblings, and given them an infusion of hope, success, and inclusion. For that, and so many other reasons, we love ReSpectrum!!!