Hale's Happenings: Autism Camp

For the past year Ryan has been attending RU's speech therapy clinic for autism intervention/communication skills classes.

In the month of June, for 3 weeks, every MWF, we have gone to a summer camp that they have put on.
What a wonderful experience. Of course, Ryan didn't want to attend, but Barry and I made him anyway. He made some wonderful gains in his ability to understand others--how to read body language, and also how to better navigate conversations. He worked on inflection of voice, entering and exiting conversations and how to poise his body when talking to others. He learned so many other things too. I watched him grow in communications skills and have had so much joy watching him talk with friends and interact in normal social situations.
(you know that peaceful kind of joy at seeing a child struggle with something and then see that, at least for a while, he's finding joy in the same things others do.)

There were kids with autism there, kids that were neuro-typical as mentors (Cailin, Delaney, and Liam also participated in this role. Connor didn't join because scout camp conflicted with the schedule.)

There were grad students who were the clinicians, many volunteers, music therapist, dance therapist and the directors/professors of the Speech and Language Clinic.
They worked so well to put together a wonderful camp experience for us all.
Their goal was to create a 'camp' atmosphere that was mindful and accepting of kids with autism and their sometimes quirky behaviors; to provide a place for them to not be criticized if their behavior weren't quite right. Along with this, they also taught skill of communication based on each participants needs. Once they mastered a skill they worked on other skills and 'upped the ante' making things a bit harder or rather more subtle communication details for them to work on.
Greg, a grad student/volunteer, said Ryan was doing so well he'd be the social butterfly of his college classes....Hmmmm that's a wonderful thought.
They made crafts(braided key chains, beaded necklaces etc), danced (Ryan's favorite dance became the Cupid Shuffle--which they did at Youth Conference at his request) , and played different musical instruments--hand drums and other hand type tools (maracas and the such).

(Ryan's clinician, Megan and volunteer Janelle)

(Time with the music therapist Stacey and Brent)

There were kids ages 2 to 16 with autism there so Cailin, Delaney and even Liam were able to join in the 'camp like' fun of the experience, and they did, they all had fun. We look forward to going back--except Ryan, it seems no matter how much fun he has at something he's still rather stay at home and not join the group. No bother, he'll be there again anyway :)

The camp directors also infused reading/literature skill into the camp. The little ones received books to take home and they acted out one of them for parent/ supporters on the last day as a play--"It Takes a Village"

(Lunch time was a time to relax and enjoy talking with friends.)

Clinicians and volunteers in blue--Brandy, Whitney, Janelle, Megan.

Chance, Cailin and Jenny in red.

I was often with Ryan or Liam's group, so I didn't get spend much time with Delaney, but she had fun making new friends, Kylee, Maggie, Marybeth and Jaden.
I was proud to hear that if the girls became quiet and wouldn't talk much with each other the clinicians would ask Delaney for help and get them interacting... she did, she's becoming quite the social butterfly herself.

Playing with the parachute was a favorite for the younger crowds.

With Stacey and Brent for music therapy. I loved to hear all the kids, Ryan included, singing some of the songs they were learning during camp at home.

Liam really took up with Ashley. They were a great team.

Liam's in his 'spot' .

They used rope to travel from building to building, during transitions to keep the kids in check. They would sing 'The wheels on the Bus' over and over, and over....I think I will always think of this camp when I hear this song forever more.