autism spectrum summer camps

loadz

Hi,

I'm not sure if this is the right forum or not to ask if there are any summer camps running in the Cork area this summer for kids with high functioning autism such as Aspergers syndrome.

The Black Oil

Not heard of any.

Maybe contact this crowd http://www.aspergersupport.ie/

SerialComplaint

Would it be an option for the child to attend a mainstream summer camp? You have a legal entitlement to 'reasonable accomodation' from service providers (such as camp providers), and I recall an Equality Tribunal case in the past which confirmed this right for summer camps.

ttm

SerialComplaint wrote: »

Would it be an option for the child to attend a mainstream summer camp? You have a legal entitlement to 'reasonable accomodation' from service providers (such as camp providers), and I recall an Equality Tribunal case in the past which confirmed this right for summer camps.

From personal experience that could be a very bad idea!

But does depend on the child, some aspergers people really don't like joining in so I can't see the point in sending them to a gathering of "normals". However they often get on well together so a summer camp specifically for aspergers kids sounds a good idea.

Nelly2

Is your service provider running any camps?

Maybe contact Shine they might know of something. http://shineireland.com/

Or how about Surf to Heal? It's brilliant! http://surf2heal.org/camps.html#cork

HTH

SerialComplaint

ttm wrote: »

From personal experience that could be a very bad idea!

But does depend on the child, some aspergers people really don't like joining in so I can't see the point in sending them to a gathering of "normals". However they often get on well together so a summer camp specifically for aspergers kids sounds a good idea.

Could you expand on this? I'm not challenging you - I really want to understand this better. What kind of supports are provided in a summer camp specifically for kids with Aspergers that makes this a better option?

snorlax

try http://www.aspireireland.ie/

Nelly2

Hey, I'm just curious if you found anything?

loadz

Hi Nelly, there doesn't seem to be any services available,it is up to yourself to try and fit them in with other kids and hope they get on. There is surf to heal in Garretts town but that can be expensive and it's short enough.

THENORTHSIDER

Apologies that this information is late but I'm only knew to this forum. There was a summer camp held in Nemo this summer for anyone with an ASD. There was also a pilot saturday club held in the Glen resource centre for 6 weeks which as far as I know was a major success and there is a committee in place to continue same in September.
If any one requires any more information let me know.

loadz

NORTHSIDER i would like to know any info you may have as i didn't hear about those events and i was on with shine and so on who said there was nothing really.

Aruba08

SerialComplaint wrote: »

Could you expand on this? I'm not challenging you - I really want to understand this better. What kind of supports are provided in a summer camp specifically for kids with Aspergers that makes this a better option?

hi my son has high functioning autism. He attended an ASD specific summer camp this year.

There is a more of a one on one facility if a child experiences an anxiety attack or meltdown as a result of sensory overload or confusion. Activities are structured and often therapeutic.

Communication, sensory issues and socialisation are what a person on the spectrum finds the most difficult to deal with . Then there the ritualistic side of it

Our ASD kids cannot simply be thrown in at the deep end with a large group of neuro-typical children as it would cause massive setback and upset for them. Gradual integration and preparation is the only way. My son is 5 now and after intensive therapies and a year and a half in an ASD specific unit in school he is now in a regular mainstream classroom of junior infants in our local school aided by a Special Need Assistant and a resource teacher.

SerialComplaint

Aruba08 wrote: »

hi my son has high functioning autism. He attended an ASD specific summer camp this year.

There is a more of a one on one facility if a child experiences an anxiety attack or meltdown as a result of sensory overload or confusion. Activities are structured and often therapeutic.

Thanks for the explanation. I hope your son prospers in the mainstream setting.

THENORTHSIDER

Loadz if you contact the Cork Sports Partnership @ 4665081 they have a Sports Inclusion Disability Officer who has all the information regarding these camps and they were hoping to start a saturday club arising out of this as well. The girl I dealt with was Sinead Costello and if she is still there she is extremely helpful. I also know there is a Youth club also for older children which is affiliated to Ogra Chorcai again Sinead would have information on that. Please let me know how you get on. It was a bit too early for my son to get involved as he is still a bit too young

loadz

Thanks for that info Northsider, you have been very helpful, will ring them on Monday and let you know what happens.

THENORTHSIDER

loadz wrote: »

Thanks for that info Northsider, you have been very helpful, will ring them on Monday and let you know what happens.

Please do , I brought my son to the pilot saturday club but unfortunately for him he is still a bit too young. but the concept seemed very good and the activities were suitable too all. I know it was run over 6 weeks initially and they were starting it up again in September.
I did an inclusion in Sport Short course in UCC and one of the guest speakers had set the youth club up and had affiliated it to Ogra Chorcai and they had earlier on this year won an Ogra run 10 pin bowling competition . Sinead Costello is the Inclusion officer with the Cork Sports Partnership and she would be glad to give you the information you need . I have found her to be extremely helpful in all the dealings I have had with her

Demonique

SerialComplaint wrote: »

Would it be an option for the child to attend a mainstream summer camp? You have a legal entitlement to 'reasonable accomodation' from service providers (such as camp providers), and I recall an Equality Tribunal case in the past which confirmed this right for summer camps.

Maybe the child should be asked if they want to attend a camp for kids with AS, one kid I know didn't like being put in 'retard camp' as he called it

loadz

Hi Demonique
Our physchologist says that it is important for him to do activities that will help him with his social interaction. If he had his way he would never leave the house. He needs to learn how to interact with his peers