Anyone sent their kid with HFA to sleep away camp

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:DP. What do you do with an HFA kid who just hates all group activities? I don’t want to force him, but I want him to get out into the world.

Are they good with the concept of going away? You don't want to force that. But if they are ok going away but aren't sure about participating, you choose a camp like Akeela or Summit that specializes in autism.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Our son did well at Camp Shohola. Super kind and lots of different activities for all different kinds of kids. And we talked with them before and they pretty much were unfussed about him being a quirky kid with a diagnosis.

NP here, but this doesn't surprise me. The counselors and staff there are so warm and loving and really focus on making sure everyone is included, in our experience. FWIW.

That camp sounds great but also kind of expensive. May I ask what was the age you send your kid to the boy sleepover camp? And how long did you do, 2 weeks or 3 or 4 or 5 weeks? No homesick and was it your kid's first sleepover camp choice for the first time? My boy has mainly adhd and HFA, and he is a super picky eater.

PP here just coming back to the thread now. We did 2 weeks the first year and 4 the years after. They have kids who can't swim at all and they do a great job with them. There are a ton of non-sporty activities though - dark room photography, silver shop, wood shop, band, rocketry, radio etc. and also non competitive sports like mountain biking. They also have horseback riding, which is rare in an all boys camp, which your son might get a lot out of. The food gets good reports and lots of choices etc.

I would talk to the director (of any camp you look at) and get a sense of what they can provide and go visit if you think its worthwhile. Given your specific case, your best bet is a one on one conversation with any camp to find the best fit.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Our son did well at Camp Shohola. Super kind and lots of different activities for all different kinds of kids. And we talked with them before and they pretty much were unfussed about him being a quirky kid with a diagnosis.

NP here, but this doesn't surprise me. The counselors and staff there are so warm and loving and really focus on making sure everyone is included, in our experience. FWIW.

That camp sounds great but also kind of expensive. May I ask what was the age you send your kid to the boy sleepover camp? And how long did you do, 2 weeks or 3 or 4 or 5 weeks? No homesick and was it your kid's first sleepover camp choice for the first time? My boy has mainly adhd and HFA, and he is a super picky eater.

PP here just coming back to the thread now. We did 2 weeks the first year and 4 the years after. They have kids who can't swim at all and they do a great job with them. There are a ton of non-sporty activities though - dark room photography, silver shop, wood shop, band, rocketry, radio etc. and also non competitive sports like mountain biking. They also have horseback riding, which is rare in an all boys camp, which your son might get a lot out of. The food gets good reports and lots of choices etc.

I would talk to the director (of any camp you look at) and get a sense of what they can provide and go visit if you think its worthwhile. Given your specific case, your best bet is a one on one conversation with any camp to find the best fit.

Oh, and he was 10 his first year.

[Anonymous]

My kid who has adhd but not autism is having a great time at Summit Camp in PA right now. They also have a lot of HFA kids.

[Anonymous]

My kid has different issues, but I've worked at both mainstream and special needs camps.

My advice would be to look at the ASD-specific camps, particularly since your DS is in a mainstream private. It's not that he can't "handle" mainstream camp, it's that there is value in being someplace where other kids are like him, counselors have chosen to work with kids like him, and where he doesn't have to "mask" his ASD.

Summer camp should be a place where kids can just be themselves, and for kids with special needs, there's a lot to be said about putting them in an environment actually designed for them rather than it being another place they have to fit themselves into.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:My kid has different issues, but I've worked at both mainstream and special needs camps.

My advice would be to look at the ASD-specific camps, particularly since your DS is in a mainstream private. It's not that he can't "handle" mainstream camp, it's that there is value in being someplace where other kids are like him, counselors have chosen to work with kids like him, and where he doesn't have to "mask" his ASD.

Summer camp should be a place where kids can just be themselves, and for kids with special needs, there's a lot to be said about putting them in an environment actually designed for them rather than it being another place they have to fit themselves into.

Interesting concept. If a kid with ASD has been in mainstream public and seem to fit in with okay friendship and okay grades, should parents also consider ASD-specific camp? Are ASD-specific camp less competitive and does less activities than others, how do parents know if their kids fit in if kid is really high functioning but quirky, not sure if kid try hard to fit in mainstream in school or not?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:My kid has different issues, but I've worked at both mainstream and special needs camps.

My advice would be to look at the ASD-specific camps, particularly since your DS is in a mainstream private. It's not that he can't "handle" mainstream camp, it's that there is value in being someplace where other kids are like him, counselors have chosen to work with kids like him, and where he doesn't have to "mask" his ASD.

Summer camp should be a place where kids can just be themselves, and for kids with special needs, there's a lot to be said about putting them in an environment actually designed for them rather than it being another place they have to fit themselves into.

Interesting concept. If a kid with ASD has been in mainstream public and seem to fit in with okay friendship and okay grades, should parents also consider ASD-specific camp? Are ASD-specific camp less competitive and does less activities than others, how do parents know if their kids fit in if kid is really high functioning but quirky, not sure if kid try hard to fit in mainstream in school or not?

PP here. I was specifically thinking about how OP said her child didn't have many friends. Maybe I'm projecting, but that made me think that he's usually in situations where he is the quirkiest kid in the room.

I saw kids like that at the camps where I worked (nowhere near here, so I don't have good recommendations for East Coast) and they really thrived in situations where they were middle-of-the-pack quirky. More importantly, they developed friendships that lasted longer than the camp session. I would imagine that's even easier now that they could exchange Minecraft IDs and stay in touch via computer games or whatever interests them.

For me it also comes down to Disability Pride. He's going to be on the spectrum for the rest of his life. Now is a good time to develop some relationships with adults (camp counselors in this case) who are ALSO on the spectrum and who have fulfilling lives. Basically, I'd look for a camp catering to kids with ASD, where the kids come back summer after summer, and where some campers go on to become counselors. It's a tall order but I think it could be a revelation for a kid who spends most of their time trying to fit their ASD self into a non-ASD world.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:My kid has different issues, but I've worked at both mainstream and special needs camps.

My advice would be to look at the ASD-specific camps, particularly since your DS is in a mainstream private. It's not that he can't "handle" mainstream camp, it's that there is value in being someplace where other kids are like him, counselors have chosen to work with kids like him, and where he doesn't have to "mask" his ASD.

Summer camp should be a place where kids can just be themselves, and for kids with special needs, there's a lot to be said about putting them in an environment actually designed for them rather than it being another place they have to fit themselves into.

Interesting concept. If a kid with ASD has been in mainstream public and seem to fit in with okay friendship and okay grades, should parents also consider ASD-specific camp? Are ASD-specific camp less competitive and does less activities than others, how do parents know if their kids fit in if kid is really high functioning but quirky, not sure if kid try hard to fit in mainstream in school or not?

PP here. I was specifically thinking about how OP said her child didn't have many friends. Maybe I'm projecting, but that made me think that he's usually in situations where he is the quirkiest kid in the room.

I saw kids like that at the camps where I worked (nowhere near here, so I don't have good recommendations for East Coast) and they really thrived in situations where they were middle-of-the-pack quirky. More importantly, they developed friendships that lasted longer than the camp session. I would imagine that's even easier now that they could exchange Minecraft IDs and stay in touch via computer games or whatever interests them.

For me it also comes down to Disability Pride. He's going to be on the spectrum for the rest of his life. Now is a good time to develop some relationships with adults (camp counselors in this case) who are ALSO on the spectrum and who have fulfilling lives. Basically, I'd look for a camp catering to kids with ASD, where the kids come back summer after summer, and where some campers go on to become counselors. It's a tall order but I think it could be a revelation for a kid who spends most of their time trying to fit their ASD self into a non-ASD world.

Do you have recommendations, even if not on the east coast? I would travel for what you describe. (Not the OP)

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:My kid has different issues, but I've worked at both mainstream and special needs camps.

My advice would be to look at the ASD-specific camps, particularly since your DS is in a mainstream private. It's not that he can't "handle" mainstream camp, it's that there is value in being someplace where other kids are like him, counselors have chosen to work with kids like him, and where he doesn't have to "mask" his ASD.

Summer camp should be a place where kids can just be themselves, and for kids with special needs, there's a lot to be said about putting them in an environment actually designed for them rather than it being another place they have to fit themselves into.

Interesting concept. If a kid with ASD has been in mainstream public and seem to fit in with okay friendship and okay grades, should parents also consider ASD-specific camp? Are ASD-specific camp less competitive and does less activities than others, how do parents know if their kids fit in if kid is really high functioning but quirky, not sure if kid try hard to fit in mainstream in school or not?

PP here. I was specifically thinking about how OP said her child didn't have many friends. Maybe I'm projecting, but that made me think that he's usually in situations where he is the quirkiest kid in the room.

I saw kids like that at the camps where I worked (nowhere near here, so I don't have good recommendations for East Coast) and they really thrived in situations where they were middle-of-the-pack quirky. More importantly, they developed friendships that lasted longer than the camp session. I would imagine that's even easier now that they could exchange Minecraft IDs and stay in touch via computer games or whatever interests them.

For me it also comes down to Disability Pride. He's going to be on the spectrum for the rest of his life. Now is a good time to develop some relationships with adults (camp counselors in this case) who are ALSO on the spectrum and who have fulfilling lives. Basically, I'd look for a camp catering to kids with ASD, where the kids come back summer after summer, and where some campers go on to become counselors. It's a tall order but I think it could be a revelation for a kid who spends most of their time trying to fit their ASD self into a non-ASD world.

Do you have recommendations, even if not on the east coast? I would travel for what you describe. (Not the OP)

I've heard good things about Summit, Akeela, and Sequoia. No personal expereince, though.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:My kid has different issues, but I've worked at both mainstream and special needs camps.

My advice would be to look at the ASD-specific camps, particularly since your DS is in a mainstream private. It's not that he can't "handle" mainstream camp, it's that there is value in being someplace where other kids are like him, counselors have chosen to work with kids like him, and where he doesn't have to "mask" his ASD.

Summer camp should be a place where kids can just be themselves, and for kids with special needs, there's a lot to be said about putting them in an environment actually designed for them rather than it being another place they have to fit themselves into.

Interesting concept. If a kid with ASD has been in mainstream public and seem to fit in with okay friendship and okay grades, should parents also consider ASD-specific camp? Are ASD-specific camp less competitive and does less activities than others, how do parents know if their kids fit in if kid is really high functioning but quirky, not sure if kid try hard to fit in mainstream in school or not?

Akeela specifically says it is for kids who may be fine in a mainstream school setting and do not need any therapies over the summer. They are set up to give kids an opportunity to be themselves over the summer and develop friendships w others.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:My kid has different issues, but I've worked at both mainstream and special needs camps.

My advice would be to look at the ASD-specific camps, particularly since your DS is in a mainstream private. It's not that he can't "handle" mainstream camp, it's that there is value in being someplace where other kids are like him, counselors have chosen to work with kids like him, and where he doesn't have to "mask" his ASD.

Summer camp should be a place where kids can just be themselves, and for kids with special needs, there's a lot to be said about putting them in an environment actually designed for them rather than it being another place they have to fit themselves into.

Interesting concept. If a kid with ASD has been in mainstream public and seem to fit in with okay friendship and okay grades, should parents also consider ASD-specific camp? Are ASD-specific camp less competitive and does less activities than others, how do parents know if their kids fit in if kid is really high functioning but quirky, not sure if kid try hard to fit in mainstream in school or not?

Akeela specifically says it is for kids who may be fine in a mainstream school setting and do not need any therapies over the summer. They are set up to give kids an opportunity to be themselves over the summer and develop friendships w others.

Their motto is: Where Quirky Campers Thrive!

That's pretty adorable and great.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:My kid has different issues, but I've worked at both mainstream and special needs camps.

My advice would be to look at the ASD-specific camps, particularly since your DS is in a mainstream private. It's not that he can't "handle" mainstream camp, it's that there is value in being someplace where other kids are like him, counselors have chosen to work with kids like him, and where he doesn't have to "mask" his ASD.

Summer camp should be a place where kids can just be themselves, and for kids with special needs, there's a lot to be said about putting them in an environment actually designed for them rather than it being another place they have to fit themselves into.

Interesting concept. If a kid with ASD has been in mainstream public and seem to fit in with okay friendship and okay grades, should parents also consider ASD-specific camp? Are ASD-specific camp less competitive and does less activities than others, how do parents know if their kids fit in if kid is really high functioning but quirky, not sure if kid try hard to fit in mainstream in school or not?

PP here. I was specifically thinking about how OP said her child didn't have many friends. Maybe I'm projecting, but that made me think that he's usually in situations where he is the quirkiest kid in the room.

I saw kids like that at the camps where I worked (nowhere near here, so I don't have good recommendations for East Coast) and they really thrived in situations where they were middle-of-the-pack quirky. More importantly, they developed friendships that lasted longer than the camp session. I would imagine that's even easier now that they could exchange Minecraft IDs and stay in touch via computer games or whatever interests them.

For me it also comes down to Disability Pride. He's going to be on the spectrum for the rest of his life. Now is a good time to develop some relationships with adults (camp counselors in this case) who are ALSO on the spectrum and who have fulfilling lives. Basically, I'd look for a camp catering to kids with ASD, where the kids come back summer after summer, and where some campers go on to become counselors. It's a tall order but I think it could be a revelation for a kid who spends most of their time trying to fit their ASD self into a non-ASD world.

Do you have recommendations, even if not on the east coast? I would travel for what you describe. (Not the OP)

PP here. I just looked up my old camp and it looks like they closed down. But I did ask some friends and they said that Talisman in NC has counselors who used to be campers, and who identify as having ASD. Maybe just reach out to Akeela or other camps on FB and ask the question, in part because it's good for camps to hear that parents want this.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:PP here. I just looked up my old camp and it looks like they closed down. But I did ask some friends and they said that Talisman in NC has counselors who used to be campers, and who identify as having ASD. Maybe just reach out to Akeela or other camps on FB and ask the question, in part because it's good for camps to hear that parents want this.

My HFA kid did Talisman for several summers and really like being a camper there.

[Anonymous]

Another new poster with positive Talisman experience for past three years. I have also heard great things about Akeela from a parents group I am in, but it is much more expensive.

After three years at Talisman, my son also went to our local Y camp this year and had a great time. We definitely talked to them before we ever registered and then again right before he went about what specific situations might be challenging for him and recommended responses. They seemed to be very familiar with Asperger‘s and assured me they had had campers with similar profiles in the past. I think the key is to be upfront.

He is fully mainstreamed at schools, has 2-3 good friends (One of them went to the Y camp with him), but is definitely quirky.

Overall, he has had such positive experiences with camp. He is not very good at team sports, but the less competitive atmosphere of outdoorsy activities has given him a lot of confidence. And every year he has come home from Talisman with a new best friend.

[Anonymous]

Do these camps accommodate a gluten-free, dairy-free diet usually?