FOR 11 months every year, youngsters with autism and their families take it an hour at a time, balancing demands of everyday life with the special needs of a child born with a condition that sets them apart, making them painfully sensitive to noise, lights or even the feeling of clothing on their bodies.
For parents and siblings, the desire to nurture and help can be exhausting, patience stretched beyond imagination.
For the child, often paralysed by an inability to communicate, the world can be a lonely place.
But for one month every summer, thanks to a summer camp organised by REACH and since 2008, run in co-operation with the Ministry of Education, the world of autism is about freedom and joy and connecting. The stress, so intense it sometimes overwhelms, diminishes.
This year’s theme, “The Amazing World of Animals”, put 42 autistic children and another 25 siblings or children of teachers and volunteers, in touch with dogs, cats, monkeys and birds.
They visited Ardastra Gardens conservation centre and zoo and related to another environment where conversation wasn’t required to communicate.
They also had swimming, crafts, learned how to make pizza, and even had a Bahamian cooking day.
“The camp was a huge success,” said Teri-Gaye Vassell, programme co-ordinator and 16-year special education teacher.
A founding member of REACH, she saw the need for a summer camp and for the past 11 years, that camp – totally free for campers – has provided a safe, stress-free, learning environment for youngsters with autism.
For the past four years, the Ministry of Education has assisted with staffing.
It’s all about the children with special needs, she said.
“They’re with kids that are just like them, and with siblings to make them more comfortable.
And this year we took on Garshea Simmons, an adult with Autism Spectrum Disorder, as a trainee assistant. It’s definitely a feeling of understanding – they love it.”
On Friday, July 27, the camp at Gavin Tynes Primary held its annual closing ceremony.
REACH president Mario Carey congratulated campers, admiring their drawings of elephants, monkeys and other zoo animals, and raved about the increase in the camp enrolment.
“We love when the numbers increase as it shows that awareness is growing in the community and far more parents are involved.”
Mr Carey, a realtor whose 15 year-old son Cole has Asperger’s Syndrome, a lesser form of autism, has dedicated years to REACH.
He used Friday’s ceremony to urge parents of all children with special needs and the public to attend bi-monthly meetings on Wednesday evenings at the organisation’s office in Dewgard Plaza, Palmdale.
For parents, the camp allowed them to carry on with work and responsibilities, knowing their child was safe with six teachers, six aides and volunteers.
“As a parent, to have that programme — it’s such a weight for that to be off our shoulders,” said Betty, whose son has attended the camp for two years.
Autism is a common neural biological disorder which is often characterised by impaired social interaction and communication.
It is estimated that one in every 88 children is born with autism.
Linda Bain-McCaulsky knows those statistics well. A parent with a 12-year-old son whose severe condition made it difficult for him to even attend the camp, still spent time there herself along with her daughter, Alexis Williams, a teacher’s aide who has been assisting the REACH summer camp for 10 years.
“The unconditional love from these kids is just amazing,” said Mrs McCaulsky, reflecting on her daughter’s dedication to the organisation she herself helped to found.
“She gets so much joy seeing their eyes light up at a smallest accomplishment.”
Comments
leonardo85 11 years, 2 months ago
This is a good initiative for these special kids. All parents want their kids to be healthy and happy, but when the reality is different they should not feel discouraged they should be patient and be there to encourage their kids when they go though tough times. When it comes to baby clothing parents should be careful with the fabric they choose, it must be comfortable for the baby. It is now possible to shop baby clothing even http://www.princessbowtique.net/categ...">boutique baby girl clothes online.
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