News and Knowledge

With the end of the school year rapidly approaching, all thoughts turn to summer. It’s the time of year when we kick back, take time to relax (or at least slow down), and enjoy outdoor activities. As I reflect back on my summers as a child, one activity in particular stands out above all others — going to camp.

Camp provides opportunity for outdoor adventure, physical challenge, a change from the typical daily routine of the school-year as well as a shared experience with others. Children from a variety of backgrounds put aside their differences as they gather to participate in a common arena, making friends and building skills that will last their lifetime. Camp provides an avenue for children to group and build community around their special interests while participating in lively activities that they enjoy. They are also exposed to social interaction and team building skills, and communication often increases as they share and learn about their interests and the experiences of others.

Children with autism spectrum disorders (ASD) can benefit from and thrive in camp environments. When well supported, children with ASD are able to fully participate and integrate into the camp experience. Whether attending a camp specifically for children with ASD or participating in general camp settings such as for sports, church or academics, your child can be successful.

Questions to Ask

Prior to the start of camp, parents of children with ASD should familiarize themselves with the environment where they intend to send their child. It is best to contact the director to make sure both you and he are mutually aware of the details that will make camp a success for your camper. It is important to include questions such as:

• What is the camper to counselor ratio?
• How many campers will be participating?
• What is the specific schedule of the week?
• What is the routine of each day?
• What adaptations could be made if needed?

Take time to explain the strengths and needs of your child. Provide information about stress triggers, calming activities and how best to handle an outburst or meltdown. If your child has a limited diet, needs assistance when toileting or showering, or tends to wander off if unsupervised, mention these as well and see how the camp director responds. Detail what adaptations would be most beneficial, and ask how best to incorporate them within their camp structure. You might suggest adding:

• Visual instructions
• A portable schedule
• A one-on-one “safe person” that your child could refer to if he has questions or needs help
• Transition cues
• Short breaks or down time when needed
• Sensory preferences
• Debriefing at the end of the day

The more information shared and gathered prior to camp, the more prepared the camp, the staff, and your child will be for the experience.

Preparing your camper at home

Before your child leaves for camp, give him information about what to expect. Draft a short social narrative detailing activities and anything new with which he might not be familiar, such as sharing a cabin bathroom with seven other campers or rules for participating in activities around a camp fire. After the routine has been reviewed, ask questions to help him predict what to do if a particular scenario were to occur. Practicing relevant situations will allow your child to think through an interaction and determine a variety of solutions in a calm state of mind. He then will be more prepared to refer to these potential solutions when an actual event occurs.

If you are packing for overnight camp, place one entire set of clothes in a large plastic bag – complete with shorts, shirt, socks and underwear. The child will then be able to better organize his suitcase and morning routine by simply choosing one bag of clothes for the day. It is a good idea to pack a few extra sets of clothes for the week. Packing a transitional object is beneficial as well. This is an item that your camper cherishes and reminds him of home or provides comfort. This item should be carefully selected because it will be entering the camp setting. Do not choose something that will devastate the child if it is broken, soiled or lost. Tossing in a few photographs that could be hung bedside the bunk or making a list of friends and family that will be thinking of him during the week could be enough. Be sure to check with the camp director to ensure that the item selected by your camper is allowed at camp. Some camps do not allow electronics such as portable video games or CD players at camp, and therefore they will be confiscated. This is not the result we want for your child!

Enjoy the camp experience

After thoroughly talking with the camp director and preparing your child for what to expect, relax and enjoy your week as well. Your child is ready to enter a wonderful experience full of adaptations and supports to allow him to thrive and encourage him to participate in a group with other children with similar interests. You will see a difference in your child after he has participated in a camp experience!

Jill Hudson, M.S., CCLS, is the author of Cabins, Canoes and Campfires: Guidelines for Establishing a Summer Camp for Children with Autism Spectrum Disorders (AAPC, 2005).