Turn a routine errand into a powerful milestone for personal autonomy. The Community Run is a scaffolded, hands-on community instructional day focused on daily living skills, executive functioning, and financial literacy. This outing aims to build confidence in public spaces. We focus heavily on community safety, pedestrian navigation, and sensory regulation. 

Before entering high-sensory environments like Center in the Square, we lead an explicit group huddle on the bus to front-load expectations and practice self-advocacy phrases (such as “I need a quiet break”). Participants practice street safety, reading public signs, navigating elevators, and managing peer pacing while exploring local attractions. 

We break down the overwhelming environment of a modern store into predictable, success-oriented steps. On the bus, each participant utilizes a customized, dry-erase Visual Shopping List board to categorize their lists by store section. Inside the store, we use scaffolded supports to meet the needs of individuals so that they may navigate aisles, locate items, and manage their budget successfully. We utilize tools such as the “Next Dollar Slider Card” at the register, allowing participants to successfully navigate cash or card transactions independently. We wrap up the trip with a structured stop for lunch/snack at a local cafe or restaurant to celebrate a successful trip and enjoy time together in the community.