About Kaleidoscope
Kaleidoscope supports LGBTQIA+/Questioning neurodivergent and neurotypical youth, young adults and their families in building healthy relationships, strong social connections and critically needed life skills. Research, as well as our anecdotal experience, reflects a rising number of neurodiverse young people also identify as LGBTQIA+. Through affirming mental health services, social support groups and life skills coaching, our mission is to help each person realize their unique potential and thrive!
kaleidoscope
Thank you for your interest in the Kaleidoscope Program! You may be asking, what is Kaleidoscope? Kaleidoscope is a program that offers support, education, and connection for LGBTQIA+/Questioning young adults and their families, including those with social, emotional and learning challenges. Kaleidoscope is grounded in the inclusive belief that every young person deserves a great future through the celebration of strengths in differences.
Why is it called Kaleidoscope? A Kaleidoscope made up of all different colors, shapes, and sizes, when turned slightly allows for a new and beautiful perspective to emerge.
The purpose of the Kaleidoscope Program is to create a space to shine light and support each uniquely beautiful perspective of LGBTQIA+/Questioning youth and young adults, in order to help them realize their potential to lead positive, productive, and rewarding lives.
kaleidoscope
Thank you for your interest in the Kaleidoscope Program! You may be asking, what is Kaleidoscope? Kaleidoscope is a program that offers support, education, and connection for LGBTQIA+/Questioning young adults and their families, including those with social, emotional and learning challenges. Kaleidoscope is grounded in the inclusive belief that every young person deserves a great future through the celebration of strengths in differences.
Why is it called Kaleidoscope? A Kaleidoscope made up of all different colors, shapes, and sizes, when turned slightly allows for a new and beautiful perspective to emerge.
The purpose of the Kaleidoscope Program is to create a space to shine light and support each uniquely beautiful perspective of LGBTQIA+/Questioning youth and young adults, in order to help them realize their potential to lead positive, productive, and rewarding lives.
neurodivergent & lgbtqia+
Research indicates that a higher percentage of neurodivergent people identify as LGBTQIA+ as compared with neurotypical peers. Kaleidoscope’s mission is to provide services designed especially for folks who are at the intersection of Autism, ADHD, LD/ED, and other neurodivergencies with LGBTQIA+.
Understandably, young people who are LGBTQIA+ and neurodivergent may experience more complex challenges than their neurotypical LGBTQIA+ peers. Some of these challenges may be compounded by issues such as rigid thinking, navigating related social environments, a higher risk of being bullied, related vulnerability, and sensory sensitivity.
Through the Kaleidoscope Program, we seek to help youth, teens, and young adults address their multi-faceted needs and provide a range of related services to them and their families.
Today, more than ever, we understand that embracing differences and providing specific support is essential for youth and young adults to reach their fullest potential.
We are here to support this journey!
lgbtqia+ challenges
Providing LGBTQIA+ affirming support in a safe environment is incredibly important! Research indicates that “tolerating” or even “accepting” young people is not enough. We need to actively affirm and support who they are so that they may develop positive well-being. With this support, they are then better able to build resilience and flourish in a society that does not always include or accept them.
- 1/3 of LGBTQ youth are kicked out of their homes due to gender expression or sexuality
- Two times more likely to be bullied, experience recurring saddness and hopelessness
- Three times more likely to be sexually assaulted, or experience suicidal ideation
- Four times more likely to attempt suicide
- In LA County and nationally, 40% of homeless youth identify as LGBTQ+.
- 59% of LGBTQ students felt unsafe at school because of their sexual orientation, 42% because of their gender expression, and 37% because of their gender.
- Fortunately, research indicates that supporting transgender youth can reduce their chance of committing suicide by as much as sixty-five percent.
neurodivergent & lgbtqia+
Research indicates that a higher percentage of neurodivergent people identify as LGBTQIA+ as compared with neurotypical peers. Kaleidoscope’s mission is to provide services designed especially for folks who are at the intersection of Autism, ADHD, LD/ED, and other neurodivergencies with LGBTQIA+.
Understandably, young people who are LGBTQIA+ and neurodivergent may experience more complex challenges than their neurotypical LGBTQIA+ peers. Some of these challenges may be compounded by issues such as rigid thinking, navigating related social environments, a higher risk of being bullied, related vulnerability, and sensory sensitivity.
Through the Kaleidoscope Program, we seek to help youth, teens, and young adults address their multi-faceted needs and provide a range of related services to them and their families.
Today, more than ever, we understand that embracing differences and providing specific support is essential for youth and young adults to reach their fullest potential.
We are here to support this journey!
lgbtqia+ challenges
Providing LGBTQIA+ affirming support in a safe environment is incredibly important! Research indicates that “tolerating” or even “accepting” young people is not enough. We need to actively affirm and support who they are so that they may develop positive well-being. With this support, they are then better able to build resilience and flourish in a society that does not always include or accept them.
- 1/3 of LGBTQ youth are kicked out of their homes due to gender expression or sexuality
- Two times more likely to be bullied, experience recurring saddness and hopelessness
- Three times more likely to be sexually assaulted, or experience suicidal ideation
- Four times more likely to attempt suicide
- In LA County and nationally, 40% of homeless youth identify as LGBTQ+.
- 59% of LGBTQ students felt unsafe at school because of their sexual orientation, 42% because of their gender expression, and 37% because of their gender.
- Fortunately, research indicates that supporting transgender youth can reduce their chance of committing suicide by as much as sixty-five percent.
program offerings
Kaleidoscope is one of the signature programs of The Help Group. The Help Group believes that “dignity, hope, and love” are the birthrights of all children. Its mission is to recognize, cultivate, and celebrate the individual gifts of all young people with special needs related to autism, learning differences, ADHD, developmental delays, and emotional challenges. To learn more about The Help Group, visit www.thehelpgroup.org.
kaleidoscope specializes in working with neurodivergent lgbtqia+ youth, young adults, and their families and offers the following culturally-affirming services