Many of us remember summer camp fondly – the games you play; the songs you sing; and the friends you make. But children with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and autism spectrum disorders don’t always have the chance to participate. Besides missing the fun, they also miss out on opportunities to learn new skills and experience success outside of school.
To address these concerns, Seattle Children’s Hospital and the University of Washington have come together to offer Camp Sea STAR for children with ADHD and Apex Summer Camp for children with autism. These joint, evidence-based programs are designed to improve social skills and self-esteem of children with ADHD or autism and their peers or siblings with structured, day camp activities.
“Children with ADHD and autism can’t always go to camp because their behavioral challenges get in the way,” said Dr. Mark Stein, a Seattle Children’s ADHD expert who has been leading camps like this in Chicago for six years. “We use sports and creative exercises to teach them skills like paying attention and following directions.”
Camp Sea STAR and Apex Summer Camp are led by trained counselors who receive consultation and supervision from medical staff from Seattle Children’s and UW. There is one counselor for every two children so participants get lots of personal attention.
Before children are enrolled in either camp, they are assessed at Seattle Children’s to determine appropriateness and set individual goals.
During camp, parents are invited to weekly training sessions, led by Seattle Children’s psychologists, to learn how their child’s new skills can be practiced at home.
“We want them to experience success with something they struggled with before,” Stein said. “That can be unique for each child.”
The camp uses a token economy system, in which participants earn and lose points for behaviors and must earn privileges, such as recess periods and weekly field trips, by meeting individualized goals for daily report cards and by earning a greater number of points than they did in the week prior.
At his camp in Chicago, Stein said children’s peer interactions improved and participants gained confidence and were better able to regulate their emotions and behaviors after attending camp, https://www.childinjuryfirm.com/strattera-atomoxetine.
“Children get rapid feedback and behavioral changes occur in just two to three weeks,” Stein said. “It’s great for parents to see their children succeed in regular camp activities and sports that were not successful in the past.”
APEX Camp and Camp Sea STAR is open to children ages 6 to 12 with ADHD or autism and their peers or siblings. The program runs from July 7 to August 8, Monday through Friday, 9 a.m.to 3 p.m at Thornton Creek Elementary (7711 43rd Ave. N.E., Seattle). Children will be assessed in clinic before they are enrolled. For more information, please email apex@uw.edu or call 206-221-CAMP (2267).
To learn more about health issues from Seattle Children’s Hospital, visit On the Pulse.
