Tractors for Autism & Disabilities

Tractors for Autism & Disabilities was formed in 2016 by a father and son in our local rural area of Loyal, WI.  The title of the foundation  with the word "tractors" was based on the idea that this is a rural area primarily agriculture in nature.  Much of the area has a large population that love tractors, are farmers, collect antique tractors (large scale) and those who collect the smaller scale models.  When it  first started, it was all about assisting youth and their families in the area that had needs not met by insurance and other agencies. Let's give out funds that will help the family as a whole.  We also added a "Blanket of Thanks" program where local veterans received tie blankets made by special need students with over 70+ blankets given out thus far.    This foundation being based on  special education has teachers as board members  who were special needs educators.  As many of you know, when teachers  get together, ideas seem to take off like a storm!  This group is no exception and the ideas of this group flowed with a want to help those families with needs that would extend further.  Why not give more students in the area who might not have been tested and also need extra assistance outside of the school day?  Why not start an after school program?  The two local schools in town (specifically for the younger students) have nothing once the school day ends. It was time to help give them and their families this extra help.  This was easy as three of the people involved were newly retired teachers and still longed to help students.  Their passion was alive and strong!   However, finding times and a site, well that was the next step.  Finally a building was found but for specific times only.  The group decided to take it.  Some time was better then no time for these students.  The schools were supportive and it was a go!  This program has now been going for 2 years with the Covid bringing it to a halt during the 2020-21 school year.  However plans are in the works to bring it back better and stronger during the 2021-22 school year.  Many of the parents of the students who had attended the program, told the group they were badly missed.  So it is definitely time to get it going again!  However, here come those teachers thinking up a storm... again.   Why not add a bit more and eventually branch out to neighboring districts and offer a summer program specific to those who are autistic or have many learning needs?  Summer school programs are wonderful in the area but most of the classes are not designed to fit the needs of these students, specifically those with  written IEP's.  So let's run a program more designed to assist these students with academic skills that will help them get back into the fall easier with less review needed for all.    One retired teacher taught daily living skills for many years. So let's make this summer program better teaching both academic and daily life skills! This will be a much better fit then putting them in classes with an aide hired to assist them (by the school)  during the summer school program to find out oh no! These classes are not working! They don't fit these students on an individual level!  Oh well, let's pull them out and let them hang out in the sensory room until the time is done.  Glorified baby sitting anyone?  It is time to change things for the better for all involved.  Thus, out of  Tractors for Autism & Disabilities  a summer program is taking shape for the 2021-22 summer. However, again, a  a building and the time is needed where we can start this program, supplies to meet both academic and daily skills for the students.  And also a place where the parents can look toward for support and resources; something that is hard to do when both mom and dad work all day long to meet the needs of their child with special needs plus the rest of their family.  Tractors for Autism & Disabilities want to be the group to help meet the needs of families such as this.  A home/building to rent or own plus the needed supplies will help make this dream a reality for them and for the many parents in the area.  Many times they drive many miles (after being tired due to work and parent responsibilities) and spend a great deal of money to get added assistance for the  child(ren) they love.  Tractors for Autism & Disabilities want to make their mission statement a reality for a small rural area in Wisconsin: 

Tractors for Autism & Disabilities is a non-profit foundation that exists to provide people with disabilities with an opportunity to develop their abilities to their fullest potential so they can adapt and be a productive member in society

Please give and watch this truly passionate group grow and become something wonderful; something that will make you proud to have been a part of.  It will be the knowledge that you receive in knowing you helped many to become successful members in society when given the chance.