Asperger Camps

Choose the Best Camp for Your Child

Asperger camps have a lot to offer children who are diagnosed with this pervasive developmental disorder. These organizations supply resources and create special programs designed to help a child with AS flourish in their environments.

Some Asperger camps are designed specifically for children in the autism spectrum of disorders, while others merge AS children with others who have conditions like attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and attention deficit disorder (ADD).

While these are very different conditions, they do share many similar traits with Aspergers, including difficulty staying on task and deficits in social skills. You'll find many benefits offered by camps for children with special needs.

How will a special camp benefit my AS child?

The major benefit that the Asperger-diagnosed child is offered
is a chance to be surrounded by peers who understand his or her condition. This is such a valuable tool for helping AS children develop confidence and self assurance.

Social interaction is also very important in the treatment of Aspergers, and your child will have plenty of opportunities to interact with others who share the same skills. Typical learning environments don't offer chances for interactions designed to help children within the autism spectrum disorder. These children have to be taught social interaction with a more systematic approach.

Better camps will have a standard ration of three children to one adult. This leaves plenty of room for supervision and proper interventions. Counselors also review academics on a daily basis to avoid back-sliding during the summer months.

Children have the benefit of enjoying social interactions with their peers at Asperger camps, while maintaining their academic learning. This leads to further confidence and self assurance upon entering their mainstream school again.

Some camps are very sensitive to special sensory needs in children on the autism spectrum of disorders. Children have many opportunities to develop gross and fine-motor skills while engaging in various sensory integration activities.

What are my options for summer camp?

• Some programs are designed for overnight stays for a week or more during the summer. This may seem too drastic for many families.
  
  
• Some parents prefer to take things slowly by beginning their child in a day camp program designed for children with PDD and similar conditions.

It's important to note that not all summer camps are the same. Some programs are ideal for children on the autism spectrum of disorders while others are not. Do your research and check with other AS families before signing up for a summer camp!

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