Summer camp for kids w/ SPD

[Anonymous]

I posted previously about my son who has SPD. Is there a summer camp in the area that might take him? I'd love for him to be able to go to camp this summer (he will be 4) but doubt most regular camps would take him. TIA.

[Anonymous]

I have sent my daughter with SPD to Basic Concepts camp which is a speech and language camp and is very good with SPD. It works a lot on social skills so if that is an area that you are looking for, I'd highly recommend it. It really helped my daughter do better in preschool this year.

[Anonymous]

OP here. I looked up the camp recommended by the PP. Can you tell me how much it cost? Looks pretty pricey. I am struggling to pay for OT for him since insurance doesn't cover it. I am also a SAHM so I wouldn't mind a PT camp. Just somewhere that is small, not too busy, w/ few transitions and understands what SPD is all about.

[Anonymous]

basic concepts is pricey -- $2400 for 5 wks for 3 hrs per day.

lynne israel (ot) runs a camp, i'm not sure where. most of these ot/pt camps are expensive, but insurance may cover them.

[Anonymous]

I know my insurance won't cover anything at all for any aspect of SPD. Not therapy. Not a camp. Nada. His preschool has a 1/2 day summer camp for 3 week in early June. Do the summer camps at NCRC and St. Columba's take kids w/ SPD?

[Anonymous]

Yes, St. Columba's and NCRC both take kids with special needs/SPD. You may also check out Teddy Bear camp held at the St. Albans campus. www.teddybearcamp.com. Fiona is the director and can talk to you about whether she thinks your son will be okay there. It isn't crazy competitive to get in like some of the other camps are - but get in touch soon if you think it might work. Kids can do am only or until 2pm.

[Anonymous]

Thanks PP. My son was recently diagnosed w/ SPD and has started therapy but I am reluctant to sign him up for just any camp. His preschool welcomes him at their camp which goes for 3 weeks in the mornings. I will see if there are any spots at St. Columba's, NCRC or the Teddy Bear Camp.

[Anonymous]

Instead of camp (as it does not seem you are 100% of it, and I hear that you really need to sign up early for a slot), why don't you continue with OT and sign him up for swimming and tae kwan do classes; both of which are really good for kids with SPD issues, or even a gymnastics camp/classes.

Leaps and Bounds is not running their OT camp this summer, but they do have group sessions still for kids with similar SPD issues.

[Anonymous]

Thanks for the ideas PP. He takes swimming which he loves but I hadn't considered karate. He tried gymnastics last fall and it was such a bad experience. He reacts very badly to any changes that he freaked out when a new student joined the class. He pushed her and was very difficult to deal with. I didn't know what the problem was then. Here is a question for parents of kids w/ SPD- Aside from school, do you tell others about your child's issues? I don't feel like I could sign him up for say, karate w/o telling them what his problems are (tactile defensiveness, auditory issues, problems w/ transition and changes in routine, etc).

[Anonymous]

PP I was the poster before yours - I am very open about my DC's SPD issues and am honest with teachers etc on her sensitives (tactile, as well as motor planning, and balance). All have been very supportive. Aside from her school (which is amazing, even the lead teacher was once an OT), being open has helped the most with swimming as they are no longer trying to get her to put her face in the water and now she is less resistant to the class in general...

BTW, I'd do a little google research but I think karate and tae kwan do are different... Flying kicks in Bethesda has a good reputation, but it may be a little loud if your son is sensitive.