Summer Camp
For many kids with Asperger's Syndrome, time that is unstructured can be problematic. It can lead to overindulgence in solitary passions, or it can lead to boredom from lack of intellectual stimulation. In a child's life, the greatest block of unstructured time is, of course, summer vacation. If your child is geographically isolated from other children or schoolmates during the summer, or community activities are not options (for whatever reason), you may wish to consider summer camp.
For the child with Asperger's who is inherently gentle and exquisitely sensitive, the notion of summer camp can be paralyzing. In her mind, it may involve packing up and leaving home to cohabitate with strangers, without contact with family and everything else that aids her to feel safe and comfortable.
Fact
Your child's success while away at camp — whether it's a day camp or an overnight, away-from-home variety — will likely hinge upon daily structure. Determine in advance the schedule for each day and ensure it is reviewed with your child the night before. Where there are gaps of time, discuss alternatives for your child with him and his counselors.
To relieve this kind of exaggerated (but real to her) anxiety, you will wish to partner with your child to research summer camp options in your community or geographic region. Summer camp also doesn't have to be a place where you stay overnight; it can be a place you visit during the day in order to take advantage of an outdoor activity program. If you present summer camp in an exciting, positive way, your child will be poised to receive the concept with enthusiasm.
Perhaps you went away to summer camp every year yourself. Do you have stories to share about what made it so fun and memorable for you? Did you make long-standing friendships or pen pals as a result of meeting someone special at summer camp?
Know, too, that many communities offer “specialty” summer camp experiences that cater to specific areas of interest (i.e., passions) such as acting and theater, music and musical instruments, gymnastics, soccer, and other athletics. While most last only several weeks instead of an entire summer, such specialty camps are likely to pique your child's interest, value her passion (and talent!), and offer socialization opportunities with like-minded peers.
Inclusion of children with Asperger's with neurotypical, same-age peers should always be the endeavor. However, in the case of summer camp, you and your child may find relief in an environment in which there are other kids with Asperger's present and staff counselors are sensitive and respectful of the needs of such kids. This is a personal choice. Finding a camp program near to you that specializes in supporting children with Asperger's may be difficult or even an impossibility. (If you are an impassioned advocate on your child's behalf, you may be the person to collaborate with other parents to officiate the start-up of just such a camp.) Be mindful that it is entirely inappropriate to place your child into an alternate “special-needs” camp because of convenience, staffing ratio, or cost savings. Your child will be miserable in a summer camp for children with mental retardation, for example; and while some camps are strict about entry qualifications, others are not.
Choosing a Camp
Aside from the obvious questions about cost and other logistics like administration of medications, water safety, and environmental allergies, you will want to find out the following about any prospective camp to which you are considering sending your child with Asperger's:
What is the staff-to-child ratio?
Do any of the counselors have special education or teaching backgrounds or credits?
Will your child be assigned to the same counselor(s) for the duration of the summer?
How often will your child have the opportunity to contact you?
What is the camp protocol for managing what may be labeled “behaviors” (not just for your kid, but for others who may aggress against your child)?
What is the camp's policy on bullying?
Is the camp prepared to accommodate your child's dietary needs?
What is the structure and routine of a typical day?
Are children ever left unattended?
What are the hours during which parents may visit?
Essential
Camp counselors will also need to understand the positive philosophies discussed at the beginning of this book to guard against misperceptions and misunderstandings about your child's “behaviors” versus coping mechanisms and survival tactics. If there's an area that will be problematic for your child while away at summer camp, it will be this communication breakdown.
You will also wish to meet with the camp director and staff to share information about what works for your child — that is, what makes for a successful day. This can occur without disclosing an Asperger's diagnosis, if you and your child so desire. Also be certain to discuss what's non-negotiable for your child, meaning those adaptations or accommodations he needs to feel safe and comfortable and in control, like knowing the exact time of activities or having his cabin room arranged a certain way. If the non-negotiables become violated, disregarded, or withheld, inform the staff to expect consequences in the form of your child's meltdown or implosion (shutting down), as the case may be.
Preparing for Camp
Obtain a written camp schedule in advance, and give that to your child. Plan to drive with your child to visit the camp in advance of enrollment. Take a camera or camcorder to document the trip. Reviewing the images you've taken of the trip at home will support your child to feel familiar and comfortable with the surroundings. Give him the opportunity to identify what's what to you and others. If siblings, cousins, friends, or others are also going to attend the same camp, find out if they can be paired with your child wherever possible. Arrange for your child to meet the staff and primary counselors, and take their photographs if they'll allow it. Tour the campgrounds and point out the location of various activity sites. If a living-quarters assignment has been made, go there as well and give your child the opportunity to acclimate to it. He will likely be strongly attracted to wooded areas and other local flora and fauna, and this will provide him with an incentive to be there.
Going away to summer camp, either during the day or on a twenty-four-hour-a-day basis, can provide your child with structure during the long hours of summer days. In addition, it may be an opportunity to make social connections with counselors and fellow campers that can be maintained by e-mail or letter writing. Your child may also have the opportunity to learn new skills or demonstrate his own. With careful planning, your child's mind-movie memories of summer camp can be pleasing and every bit as enjoyable as your own.
