The ceramic department serves a multiple of purposes for our participants. On a skill building level, it is designed to accomplish success through teaching how to follow instructions, working on hand and eye coordination, practicing fine motor skills, developing social skills as well as other important job skills. When it comes to products, the ceramics department soars as a favorite among the community. 

The unique and creative items made are treasured gift items for any special person, co-worker, or friend. This department is a fabulous outlet for building self esteem, as the process is broken into manageable steps and skills are built upon as they learn.

Check out this behind the scenes video of Ceramics.

In our computer lab, participants learn a variety of skills with hands on instruction. Skills range from basic computer use, creating flyers, as well as, how to use programs such as Word, PowerPoint and Excel.

Many of these computer skills are paired with social skills instruction to help our students better comprehend and take ownership of skills they have learned. Leadership skills are also a part of this instruction, as participants share what they have learned with their peers.

Learning to cook and prepare meals is an important life skill and a step toward independence for those on the autism spectrum. In the Culinary Department at SEEDs, participants learn kitchen safety, proper food handling, meal planning, good nutrition and so much more! Under the guidance of experienced instructors, students learn how to follow recipes, measure ingredients and safely operate kitchen equipment as they create a variety of healthy, delicious sweet and savory items. Our Culinary Department also offers training to obtain an Arizona Food Handlers Card to open the door for employment opportunities!

Check out this behind the scenes video of Culinary.

Developing Job Skills is a vital part of our program at SEEDs for Autism. Working in the Distribution Department empowers students with language and actions to appropriately interact with managers, co-workers and customers. This unique department provides participants with hands-on experience as they learn a variety of marketable job skills in a real-life business environment. Through the production and sale of our beautifully hand-crafted home and garden products, participants learn how to process payments, fulfill orders, provide excellent customer service, manage inventory and more.

In the Garden Department, participants learn how to grow fruits, vegetables, herbs and flowers. Members learn how to tend to a garden to ensure a plentiful bounty, even in the Arizona heat. Participants are actively involved in deciding which items to grow. Instructors offer curriculum on how to plant based on the season, properly label seedlings and how to use home grown produce to make healthy meals in unison with our Culinary Department. We once made mini chicken pot pies with peas grown in the garden! Our instructor also provides lessons about soil composition, composting, and offers science based lessons.

Through group interaction and learning how to use small hand tools, this department teaches a wide variety of important life, job, and social skills. Steps are broken down to allow growth and comprehension of the tasks necessary to be successful.  Visual instruction and repetition of the necessary steps teaches students how to overcome personal frustrations and discover their capabilities of perseverance and achieving goals. The products and projects vary from simple and elegant, to more complex and unique.

Check out this behind the scenes video of Jewelry.

This department strives to teach a variety of more difficult skills such as being able to execute refined and timely instructions, precision, concentration on quality as well as your surrounding and being aware of the demands of working with welding and forging tools. Welding is a lucrative career, and can pave the way towards many possibilities. 

The instructors take training very seriously and spaces are limited. A wide variety of the SEEDs products for garden and home are made within this department. Special and unique items are designed and created in collaboration with the Wood and Ceramics Departments.   

Check out this behind the scenes video of Metals.

Within our Newsroom Department, participants work alongside professionals, including published authors, to bring out their creativity and find ways to let their ideas shine using research, critical thinking, outlining, writing, designing and other activities. 

The scope of their training teaches them how to write our newsletter, which is produced monthly by our students, to inform the community of our events and products. Members get to reach over 4,000 readers with articles and blog posts they develop. These skills help them work in teams to problem solve and develop executive functioning skills like increasing focus, task management and meeting deadlines. Our Newsroom Department introduces concepts that allow members to communicate important facts and information to a vast and diverse audience.  

Sign up to receive our newsletter by clicking here.

With guidance from our experienced staff, SEEDs participants have embraced the popular technique of screen-printing for creating high-quality t-shirts, tote bags and a variety of other exciting products. Utilizing their creativity, attention to detail and focus, the talented adults at SEEDs for Autism are ready to fulfill orders for small businesses, special events and so much more!

The Screen Printing department at SEEDs provides adults on the autism spectrum with hands-on experience as they learn a variety of marketable job skills in a real-life work environment.

Click here to learn about SEEDs custom orders!

Sewing participants learn how to create patterns, use pins, correct mistakes, follow instructions and work as a team as well as design many different products. Instructions are broken down step by step and patiently taught. This is such an important life skill, and the department instructor develops creative ways to teach proficiency and greater independence. 

Check out this behind the scenes video of Sewing.

Working on social skills is a large component of every department at SEEDs. During their time at SEEDs, participants learn real life skills, work on personal goals, and gain greater comprehension of social rules and workplace expectations. Skills focus on time management, conflict resolution, understanding body language, acknowledging others, conceptual processing, friendship, being a team player, work ethics, money management and more. SEEDs staff help participants set goals, teach and explain what specific behaviors look like and why they are important, model desired behaviors and practice them.

Our Video Lab has been a great addition to the curriculum at SEEDs for Autism. This exciting department focuses on developing and practicing social skills through the use of technology and new media formats such as video production, animation and computer arts. Staying current with new innovations in communication and information, participants utilize computers, cameras and video to share their stories, connect with others and document all the exciting things happening at SEEDs for Autism. All of our Behind the Scenes videos were created by our students. This popular department helps members develop valuable job skills in the field of graphic design, marketing and media.

Did you know that SEEDs for Autism has a YouTube page where you can find videos produced by participants in our Video Lab? Check out our page by clicking here.

Individual job and social skill goals are determined by participants and staff, including job coaches. Participants learn real life skills, work on personal goals, and gain greater comprehension of social rules and workplace expectations. Skills focus on time management, conflict resolution, understanding body language, acknowledging others,  conceptual processing skills, being a friend, being a team player, work ethics, money management, and more. 

Instructors help participants set goals, teach and explain what specific behaviors look like and why they are important, model desired behaviors, and practice them. Community outings paired with classroom instruction are emphasized, making skills more familiar.

At SEEDs participants learn the art of weaving in a variety of skillsets. We have floor looms, a table loom, inkle looms, rigid heddle looms, and hats are made with the knitting-in-the-round looms. Members of the Telarana Fiber Arts Guild teach basic techniques to more complex as they gain better understanding of the process. There are many steps to this skill including throwing the shuttle, and how to have a consistent beat suitable for the item being woven. They make towels, hats, scarves, place mats, table runners and more. 

While many parents may feel their young adult could never be able to use tools, SEEDs has built a very structured and user friendly environment to do just this. The steps are broken down and safety is made a top priority. Instructors work on a 1:1 ratio, establishing rules and skill levels.   

The wood department remains a favorite for most participants, as they learn from mentors who thrive on sharing their talents and skills. Product and skill diversity allows for learners to blossom as they exhibit greater comfort and experience. So many skills and product options allow for expanded opportunities and spectacular gift items.

Check out this behind the scenes video of Woodworking.