A Canberra circus program dubbed "therapy in disguise" for people with autism spectrum disorder is one of 12 organisations to win new funding from the ACT government.
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Warehouse Circus' innovative Spin Out program provides training and skill development for participants who can benefit from increased exercise and improved social interaction.
Based in Chifley, the group this week received $7500 from the territory government's Inclusive Participation Funding Program.
Program co-ordinator and trainer Karen Yaldren said the grant would help pay for a weekly visit by occupational therapist Ryan Bellaires, who will soon begin work to improve the circus training for adults who spend most of the week in care programs.
Warehouse Circus currently provides training and engagement for more than 400 children and adults from the ACT, including for students ranging in age from 3 to 60 years.
"It means we can now specifically tailor our classes to things that they would like to develop for their occupational therapy," she said.
"There's no way we would be able to employ an occupational therapist or have these kinds of services with the funding we can raise from other methods. This funding is imperative to the program going ahead."
Ms Yaldren said participants improved their social engagement and physical activity levels while having fun in a safe environment.
"Most people don't realise that they are learning a lot of good social skills and a lot of physicality and good physical development because they are having a lot of fun instead. One person in our program says her son loves it because he doesn't have to think it's therapy."
Sport and Recreation Minister Shane Rattenbury said the grants were designed to support
"It's really important that we make physical activity accessible to everyone in the community," Mr Rattenbury said.
"This grants program goes some way in supporting organisations that reach out to parts of the community who otherwise might not have access to suitable programs that support their needs.''
The $80,000 in grants will also help support groups including the Achilles Running Club; ACT Little Athletics; ACT Table Tennis Association; the Belconnen community centre; Capital Lakes Rowing Club; Deaf Advocacy Sports and Recreation; Toora Women; Touch Football ACT; Mobility Matters and the YMCA; the ACT Cricket Association and
