YMS Special Stars - Autism / Aperger's Soccer League

YMS
Special Stars is a volunteer soccer program for children and young adults who
have been diagnosed on the Autism Spectrum, including Asperger’s Syndrome. This
program is dedicated to engaging children on the autism spectrum in regular
games of soccer supervised by a group of Volunteer Student Athlete Mentors
(Special Pals) and Volunteer Coaches who help and guide Special Stars athletes
and their families during the practices and games.   “This program is
designed and led by a group of parents looking for a fun and supportive soccer
program to meet the specialized needs of children and young adults on the
Autism Spectrum. 



The program truly enriches the lives of these special athletes, the volunteer
pals, and the volunteer coaches who participate each Sunday,” said John Healy,
co-founder of the team. “You can’t help but smile when you see all the
athletes, coaches and the volunteers working together to make this activity a
positive experience for all,” said Joy Taylor, the other co- founder of the
team.  “Everybody gets something personally rewarding from the program.
It’s something you just have to see for yourself.” 



Founded in 2011, YMS Special Stars is administered under the auspices of the
Yardley- Makefield Soccer Association. Practices and games are held weekly at
Edgewood Elementary School in Yardley, PA.  The program welcomes children
and parents from the autism community. The spring session for YMS Special
Stars will be starting on Sunday, March 30th and will run through Sunday, June
8th.  All practices/games are held on Sundays from 3:00pm to 4:15 pm at
Edgewood Elementary.  The team is currently looking for more special stars
athletes, volunteer pals and volunteer coaches to join the fun on the soccer
field.  

 

The YMS Special Stars is a volunteer soccer program for children and young
adults who have been diagnosed with autism or Asperger’s syndrome.  This
program is modeled after the Ontario Special Stars program.  The program
is dedicated to engaging children with autism in regular games of soccer supervised
by a group of volunteers.  YMS Special Stars is administered under the
auspices of the Yardley-Makefield Soccer Association.  Student Athlete
Mentors (Special Pals) and Volunteer Coaches help and guide Special Star
players and families during the practices and games.    



To learn more about YMS Special Stars, please visit https://sites.google.com/site/ymsspecialstars/  or
email us at ymsspecialstars@gmail.com or call John Healy at (267)
229-3109.