Fit Fun Connect was built to solve a common problem—people want to feel connected, stay active, and move through life with confidence, but don’t always know how.

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We combine physical fitness, guided social interaction, and self-regulation strategies to help participants build confidence, independence, and healthy daily routines.

 

 

Program Overview

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Fit Fun Connect provides small-group, staff-supported sessions that focus on developing life skills. Each session is intentionally designed to provide guided practice, repetition, and support, allowing participants to build independence and confidence over time. The games and challenges will change, but the core message and teachings will be utilized across classes. This unique program offers added benefit other than just a good time........ it offers real life understanding of your senses, health measures, growth mindset and more.... We want you to walk away feeling like you had a great time, with a side dish of knowledge and confidence. 

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Core Benefits:

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• Social communication and peer interaction

• Emotional regulation and coping strategies

• Physical coordination, body awareness, and endurance

• Executive functioning (following routines, sequencing, task completion)

• Participation in structured group and community-based settings

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The goal is to help participants stay active, feel included, and have something they genuinely look forward to each week.

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                                                    How the Program Works

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Participants attend structured group sessions where each component is facilitated with clear objectives and staff support.

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It will look like....

• Guided social interaction and communication practice
  Focused discussion and facilitated engagement targeting common social skills

• Structured movement-based activities
  Exercises designed to improve coordination, motor planning, endurance, and body awareness

• Group-based skill-building activities
  Cooperative tasks that support teamwork, problem-solving, and following multi-step directions

• Self-regulation and stress management strategies
  Practical techniques to support emotional control, focus, and participation

All activities are adapted and modified to meet the individual needs and ability levels of participants.

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Our aim is to create a space that is welcoming, energizing, inclusive, and socially engaging.

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Here at Special Connects, when we talk about bringing together community, we think that should mean EVERYONE!  Although this group is strongly suited to meet the needs of those with developmental disabilities and the neurodivergent, we strongly encourage anyone who wants to grow and challenge themselves, or simply make a friend or two, to take a chance to experience our classes. We modify the challenge from the meek to the mighty. We pride ourselves on creating a space for everyone to grow 

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All program components are adapted based on:

• Physical ability

• Coordination and motor planning needs

• Social comfort level

• Endurance and attention

 

The program is designed to meet participants where they are, while providing opportunities for growth and skill development.

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Scheduling & Participation

• Fit Fun Connect enrolled members must sign up for their spot at least 1 hour before class time starts. Class space is limited, so make sure to check beforehand.  

• Consistent attendance is encouraged to support skill development and routine building.

• Additional sessions may be added based on individual needs and availability

 

 

All participation is coordinated in advance to ensure appropriate staffing and support​​​​

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                                         Our Approach

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Fit Fun Connect is designed by Justin Lyons, an occupational therapy professional, national lecturer and life/mindset coach with over two decades of experience providing both group programming and individualized support across diverse populations. His work integrates evidence-informed occupational therapy principles with practical, real-world strategies shaped through years of hands-on experience addressing the developmental, social, emotional, and functional challenges faced by individuals across both youth and adulthood.

 

This program was developed through extensive clinical and community-based experience identifying the barriers individuals face in areas such as social participation, self-regulation, physical engagement, and independent functioning.

 

 We use a structured, predictable format that blends:

• Movement-based fitness activities

• Social skill development

• Emotional regulation and stress management strategies

• Group cooperation and engagement

• Mindfulness and reflective practices

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This integrated approach supports both physical and cognitive development while strengthening social confidence, emotional control, and overall well-being in group settings.

 

Programming is also supported by trained staff with backgrounds in healthcare, educational, occupational support, and fitness. Most importantly, the team is grounded in a genuine commitment to creating a positive, respectful, and engaging environment where participants can build connection, confidence, and enjoyment in both peer and community settings.

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