FarmTime
The pioneering care farming therapy project for ASD/ID communities in China.
Who are we?
FarmTime is a care farming project using the natural advantages and social attributes of the farm (slow-paced and stimulating environment and self-sustaining business) to provide education and employment opportunities for children, teenagers, and young adults with Autistic Spectrum Disorder (ASD) and Intellectual Disabilities (ID) in China, filling the gaps of life-altering services and leading them to a more fulfilling life.
What did we do?
FarmTime has developed and extended the existing services of local community-level rehab institutions to provide continued and targeted services for people with ASD/ID at different stages, including:
- The family camp that provides recreation for 0-6 years old
- The half-day program that supplements the education of special schools for 7-14 years old
- Vocational training that develops vocational interests and skills for 15-18 years old
We aim to help ASD/ID individuals and their families to get more integrated supports.
Gallery
Here, you will find a collection of images showcasing our various courses and events.
What makes us different?
Most traditional rehabilitation training focuses on the rehabilitation of physical functions, but for people with ASD/ID, what hinders their integration into society is the lack of adaptability and social skills.
FarmTime is different because it not only takes a more human-centered approach to rehab service but also creates an integrated service model that covers life transitioning needs at multiple stages.
More importantly, FarmTime has built tight-knit collaborations between farms and rehab faculties, which will reduce total operational costs and diversify funding sources, as well as promote an inclusive learning and working environment for the ASD/ID community.
Unlike most parent-funded organizations that have small capacity and low sustainability, the FarmTime model can be adopted by rehab service providers to upgrade or extend their existing services, therefore resolving the problem of inaccessibility.
Join Us
We believe that people with ASD/ID are not trapped by mental disabilities, but by the high walls of society.
What they need is not only long-term services including medical rehabilitation, education, and vocational training, but also an inclusive and supportive social atmosphere. When individuals, families and the community work together to remove the visible and invisible barriers that exist in society, people with ASD/ID can successfully participate in social activities.