CAMP
Children on the autism spectrum can benefit from the social and recreational activities that a camp provides. When choosing a camp for their child, parents should consider programs with small groups comprised of children with similar ages and abilities, high staff to learner ratio, specially trained professional staff and inclusion with typically developing peers. Such programs make it possible for children who have had limited interaction with typical peers to enjoy a traditional summer day camp experience. Behavior and social skills are modeled by typically developing peers, and experiences are filtered through the lens of counselors who can direct special needs campers to adopt more typical social behaviors and encourage them to try new and more challenging physical activities. Children will receive the most benefit from programs that incorporate a wide variety of activities throughout the camp day, such as sports, swimming, boating, archery, nature, arts and crafts, culture, music and dance.
Courtesy of Mindy Cohen, JCC on the Hudson, Camp BaShemesh for Campers with Special Needs, Tarrytown, NY
(914) 366-7898, info@jcconthehudson.org, www.jcconthehudson.org
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