At Yasuhara Middle School, a unique after-school club Brainwave Buddies pairs neurodiverse students with Gonzaga University student mentors who also identify as neurodiverse.
Coordinated by Gonzaga’s Center Community Engagement, the weekly arts-based clubs allows students to connect with role models in a supportive, engaging environment.
Gonzaga Psychology student Indigo Dalosto knows how important it is for these students to have a club where they can belong, “with mentors that understand their struggles and are trained to be accommodating.”
“Growing up I was always taught the being neurodivergent is a good thing,” Dalosto shared. “I entered Brainwave Buddies with the goal of teaching the youth that mindset as well.”
Connecting with college students is also inspirational for the Phoenix students.
“For them to be role models and for our kids be able to see them be successful in the college setting is really, really neat and super empowering for them,” Yasuhara Assistant Principal Julia Rendall said. “They love the partnership with their college students. Parents really appreciate it. This is something that's really unique in the Spokane area.”
“My favorite part is mostly the interactions,” shared Yasuhara student Andy. “Where we socialize and distract ourselves from whatever is in our mind.”
The club uses art-based activities and games to creatively explore ways students can communicate and be understood.
“The art piece is really important because I feel like it allows a student to share their thoughts and their feelings,” said Gonzaga Secondary Youth Program Manager Jennifer Palm.
Dalosto also noted that the activities help mentors share emotional regulation and coping skills with the middle student students.
“A lot of times you can't do that in sports or you can't do that in a different type of club,” Rendall said. “But this is specialized in that, through learning communication and different styles of communication.”
Brainwave Buddies is one of several youth engagement programs that Gonzaga coordinates at 12 sites throughout Spokane Public Schools. We are grateful for their support of our students.
Watch more videos and find activities for your student.