Camps for Children with Autism
Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD)
Although Camp Lee Mar is not solely a summer camp for children with Autism, many of our campers do have an Autism Spectrum diagnosis, or may have a diagnosis of Asperger’s Syndrome, Atypical Autism, Pervasive Developmental Disorder – Not Otherwise Specified (PDD-NOS) or Sensory Processing Disorder.
Some of our new campers may have taken part in summer camps for kids with asperger’s or summer activities for kids with autism in the past but may not have experience with a residential summer camp for kids with autism or special needs.
We understand that navigating summer camps for kids with autism and services for children with Neurological Disorders or differences can be a very daunting task for parents and we encourage parents to reach out to us with any additional camp questions. We are happy to help!
During the initial registration period we review each child’s I.E.P. and homebased therapies to create a summer program that can build on current goals, while providing experiences that assist in generalizing those skills that are beginning to emerge. We ask that parents not only share their child’s I.E.P. with us but any other additional reports that they may have, such as Speech Therapy, Social Skills Programs, Social Thinking Programs or Applied Behaviour Analysis (ABA). This assists us in assuring we are the best fit for each potential camper while creating a program and summer activities for kids with autism that can build on all goals in a naturalized social setting.
What we offer at Camp Lee Mar
At Camp Lee Mar, we offer a tailored summer camp for children with autism spectrum diagnoses including:
- A seven-week residential summer program for campers aged 7-21.
- Educational, social and emotional activities such as speech therapy and social skills, academics, cooking, OT skills and PT skills.
- Traditional camp activities such as swimming, sports, art, music, science and nature which help to generalize the social and emotional regulation skills we work on in therapy.
- An experienced, qualified, and motivated staff.
- An experienced medical staff.
- Air-conditioned buildings and cabins.
- A structured program and environment that provides security for our campers to gain new skills and practice emerging skills.
We understand that summer camps for kids with asperger’s and autism can seem unpredictable or overwhelming as a first time camper. Our structured program, combined with staff support and understanding, assist in lessening camper anxiety while assuring our campers function, learn and have fun to the best of their ability!
Our higher staff ratio assists us in keeping campers engaged while prompting, modelling and encouraging age appropriate peer interactions. This all takes place naturally throughout our daily program to assure that skills are reinforced across a variety of settings, all while having a GREAT time!
Our staff focus on providing our campers with positive feedback. We do this by understanding and focusing on our campers’ interests and strengths, not their struggles, to help build confidence and new skills using our individualized strength based approach. Each summer we see our campers grow in so many ways, key areas of growth include:
- Self confidence
- Self-awareness
- Self-control and emotional regulation
- Group skills and collaborative problem solving
- Social thinking and social understanding
- The ability to be flexible in thinking and routines
- Learning to adapt and respond to the people and situations around them.
Please feel free to contact us with any questions related to how our summer camps for kids with autism and our camp program can serve your child on the Autism Spectrum.
