Dalhousie athletes run sports program for people with autism

Tigers PLAY, formerly known as Special Tigers, is holding weekly sports and activity sessions for autistic people at the Dalplex this fall. 

Allison Redfern, a third-year finance student and varsity swimmer, rebranded the program in September to offer inclusive weekly sessions led by Dalhousie University varsity athletes. The program previously ran once a month.

Inspired by her two siblings with autism, Redfern saw firsthand the “lack of opportunities” for autistic people to play sports. Tigers PLAY now runs every Sunday from 12 p.m. to 1 p.m., open to people of all ages and abilities on the autism spectrum. The schedule alternates weekly between swimming and other activities.

Timothy McCowan, a fourth-year medical sciences student and varsity swimmer, has volunteered with Special Tigers for two years. She said the program’s previous monthly sessions made the schedule feel somewhat “sporadic.”

“It would be tough for the participants to develop relationships with the volunteers,” McCowan says. “They have established comfortability. They know these people, and they feel safe. It’s a lot easier to encourage them through the activities.” 

Shana Persaud, a support worker for one of the program’s participants, says Tigers PLAY is “really valuable” for individuals in the autistic community.

“It’s a space to have fun, do activities and get to know more people in the autistic community.”

Redfern and McCowan agree that swimming sessions, including activities like playing catch and underwater somersaults, are a program favourite.

Beyond swimming, participants do alternating weekly activities, including basketball and arts and crafts. Hiking with Dal’s cross-country team is also on the calendar.

Persaud says offering a diverse range of activities is essential to the program because exposure is important for autistic people who are “very rigid in what they do and in their own interests.”

Persaud says Halifax lacks spaces for inclusive programming because public options are often too noisy and crowded. The program now books a separate room for basketball games after parents suggested it would be beneficial for participants to have a space to de-stress, away from the noisy Dalplex gymnasium.

Persaud says the program gives parents an hour of free time they wouldn’t normally have. 

“It’s a very inclusive, safe and accessible space.”

Redfern and McCowan hope to expand the program and are reaching out to schools and learning centres to spread the word. 

“At Dalhousie, we’re given so many opportunities,” Redfern said. “We should be able to use them to expand outside of our Dalhousie community.” 

McCowan says he wants to share positive sports experiences with others. 

“I never had to worry about whether sports would be safe for me, or whether I could go to certain programs,” says McCowan. “I want to try and help others who may have a more difficult path through sports or athletics.” 

For Redfern, the impact of Tigers PLAY is simple, but powerful.

“Even if it’s just an hour, it’s free,” Redfern said, “The kids have fun, make some new friends, and parents can relax. It’s been great.”