Autism Avenue is a one of a kind floral and retail shop featuring unique floral and gift options to please most everyone's tastes.
Autism Avenue is a one of a kind floral and retail shop with a mission to provide a structured work environment that delivers a platform for job training and real world experience for young adults with high functioning autism. With a strong foundation of support through our Greater Expectations program, a part of the Independent Living Resource Center, all individuals are part of a multi-level program that is completely structured and organized to meet their individual needs. With the goal of job acquisition within the community, each individual is supported through the process of seeking and obtaining employment. Rather than teach or train to one specific job, the Greater Expectations program focuses on the process and skills necessary to independently navigate within the job market. This sets them up for multiple opportunities rather than just one job or task in a sheltered work setting. Our Connections Club provides an applicable experience in a structured work setting which in turn facilitates meaningful connections and an improved quality of life. Our club provides a foundation of support specific to four areas: Social skills, Life skills, Communication/Advocacy, and Organizational skills. For individuals who typically experience work in sheltered job settings, the Connections Club is oftentimes their first experience in a job setting that connects them with their community in a meaningful way, and can stimulate skills often not touched upon in a very long time. Autism Avenue Flower and Gift Shoppe provides an uncommon shopping experience while serving as a stepping stone towards each individual’s job preference and life goals beyond the program. Autism Avenue is their opportunity to practice skills acquired while improving social connections, and building self-esteem, thus providing the motivation needed for individual success. At Autism Avenue, we provide a training platform typical of any small business in our community. This allows us to target specific areas of skills needed for each individual to practice and hopefully master. Here they can pursue their goals and dreams of sustained employment, independent living, valuable personal relationships, and a much more fulfilling future. Autism Avenue provides a menu of floral designs exclusively for weddings and events, created by a professional floral designer, and a team of creative employees. Focusing on weddings and events, our designers have created beautiful and memorable arrangements for some very happy brides, as well as local events such as the Wichita Music Theater, Wichita State University, the Hyatt, and even Miss Kansas! Our gift line makes shopping easy as we have a variety of vendors that cater to those looking for birthday, baby, weddings, anniversaries, and many holiday treasures! Many of the items in our store have a very personal touch as they are created by individuals participating in our Connections Club! Whether refurbishing an old door into a beautiful table, or turning an old farm window into a family frame, our individuals play an integral role in providing a very unique buying experience. Every purchase every day supports our program! Finally, when visiting Autism Avenue you will find current resources, sensory tools, and ideas on how best to support your child with autism as well as other developmental disabilities. We will also carry a unique line of awareness items such as necklaces, bracelets, and artwork for those wanting to promote awareness in their families and community! For others in our community, our resources are perfect for advocacy efforts and information to best educate yourself as a potential employer, teacher, or friend.
Autism Avenue is a flower and gift shop and it's unique in that we employ individuals with autism. It's actually the last step of a process. They go through our Greater Expectations Program which is located at the Independent Living Resource Center. The whole goal of Autism Avenue Flower and Gift Shop is to give them a training ground to really work through some of the issues that we've been working on through the Greater Expectations Program It's not easy for us to get a job because one of our guys has a college degree and he's cleaning kennels. We're kind of building up confidence, polishing skills so that the individuals we work with can get a job in the Wichita community at any store they choose or any establishment.
