Special Autism Camps, Groups and Activities

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My 12 year old son has AS and is attending a special camp for Autistic kids. The camp isn't special but the staff is trained to work with children on the spectrum and oversee their activities.
My son seems a little freaked out when he comes home. Upon questioning him, it seems that he is the highest functioning kid there. The other children are more severely affected: laugh for no reason, don't talk when spoken to, some even need their own aide. The director of this program told me to expect kids from the entire spectrum at this summer camp. My son says he still wants to go, mainly because he has a crush on one of female helpers! and he is having fun.
My boy doesn't fully realize that he is different than other kids. He doesn't really need to attend special camp, since he has sucessfully attended boy scout camp for two years; this summer, with no assistance or special treatment.

My question is should I keep him in an typical environment or go ahead and put him into these special groups? There are lots of free programs and outings for him since he has AS. He loves to be on the go. I cannot afford to send him to many activities since he is only one of six children. Has anyone had experience with these types of situations? Did you become offended when you discovered that you were put into a group of lower functioning children? Is this a positive experience or not?

maybe a few groups like this would be nice, but don't limit him to only autistic activities.


you said he is not fully aware of his AS, If you put him in too many groups like this he may come to think all autistics are people who do and need these things.

If you do decide to keep hi m in camp see if you can explain why these kids do or need (if you can). I mean i had an aide for help with social interaction and with organization in school, but i knew another kid who needed one to help him with time and writing down notes and homework. I laugh for no reason but usually when i remember somthing funny that happened a while ago.

Thanks, Raph. My son has never had an aide in school but if it weren't for the fact that he was homeschooled until the fifth grade, he probably would have. He does have problems with remembering assignments and homework. He was placed in special ed. (resource room) in the 6th grade and the teacher helps him with these organizational skills and understanding directions and staying on task. I'm just wondering if I should keep him with "typical" kids. He is fairly self-focused so he mainly thinks about what he is enjoying.

We discussed one boy in particular that we both know. My son complained that this boy won't talk to him, so I explained that this child has only recently achieved any language at all and he needs people to talk to him often so he can practice. He seemed to think that this made sense, although he couldn't believe that someone could be twelve and just aquire language skills!

if he doesn't learn how to live with non-spectrum people he will have a lot of trouble growing up. if you can make sure he is not with people who will pick on him but people with autism need to learn to deal with other peoples differences, since we will be dealing with these people in school, jobs, and pretty much everywhere else in life.

I agree! I have a little guy who is 7 and he goes to camp every summer. He needs added support when he goes, but his camp is inclusive of everyone. 90% of the campers are NT, but they don't turn anyone away. So he's well socialized and is put with a good group of tolerant kids, but the staff is there to give him more support when he needs it.

ETA: He absolutely loves it. He had an amazing experience last summer when he went for 2 weeks (just during the day). This year he asked to go for longer he's going for 4 weeks. He's insanely excited about it.

Last edited by CelticGoddess on 27 Jun 2006, 3:33 pm, edited 1 time in total.

When i was staying with a freind, i went to an aspie group called 'Friday Club'

that was great, for the first time in a long time people actully understood and i was in an enviroment where i felt almost tatlly comfortale.

jammie