By Aila Miyabi
CHARLOTTESVILLE, Va. (WVIR) – At the Autism Sanctuary, caregiving takes on a different shape — one rooted in routine, nature, and meeting people exactly where they are. From gardening to feeding cows, each activity is designed to do more than entertain – they help participants discover interests, build confidence, and develop skills they can carry into future endeavors.
Some participants travel nearly an hour each day to attend the Sanctuary’s day program, Executive Director Olivia Bruno said — reflecting the limited number of opportunities for adults with autism. After someone turns 22, the state is no longer required to provide public education.
“We have some people who drive around 50 minutes a day to come out to our day program, just because there haven’t been any other opportunities for them,” Bruno said.
“Everybody that’s in our program, we develop individualized goals with their whole support team,”
Those goals are shaped by case managers, families, and support teams — all focused on helping people build community connections and meaningful relationships.
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The mission of Autism Sanctuary is to enhance the lives of those with developmental disabilities through nature-based activities by fostering community connections and providing personalized support. Learn more on their website.