There are many camps throughout the United States, but social skills camps for autistic children are definitely making an impact. Organizations like ASDF are finding ways to support social skill-boosting camps for children with autism. Since autistic children don’t have the same social skills as children their age typically have, it’s important for them to participate in programs that help build those social skills for the rest of their lives.
The Difficulty Establishing Solid Social Skills for Autistic Children
The ability to communicate varies from child to child, and there’s nothing wrong with that. Children with autism, however, lack the basic social skills required to interact with children and adults. Autistic children have difficulty making eye contact, which can make interacting in social settings a challenge. Though they hear, autistic children do not always appear as if they’re listening, which can make communication difficult. Some autistic children are also unable to detect or respond to emotions as well as other children. Thus, in a social setting they are incapable of communicating effectively with others. This causes a lot of autistic children to isolate themselves and play alone, especially since their own worlds are familiar and easy to navigate.
How Camps Improve Social Skills
Camps supported by organizations like ASDF help build the essential social skills that autistic children are unable to gain naturally. They partner with local autism groups and provide the funding for autistic children to attend summer camps that build social, communication, cognitive, and sensory skills.
Rather than pressuring children to learn these skills, the camps use play and discrete teaching techniques that help instill them without the children even realizing they’re learning. Camps supported by ASDF utilize a combination method of structured learning, play and interaction in everyday settings, and community outings to improve life and social skills. Children are rewarded for building social relationships rather than focusing on individual play. Since the camps focus on groups that are segregated by ages, children are with other autistic children their own age, thus improving their chances for learning important social skills.
Getting Assistance with Costs
The costs associated with enrollment and even travel to the camp itself can be expensive. Since insurance agencies do not cover autism camps, parents with autistic children are encouraged to look for scholarship opportunities through organizations like ASDF, which offers scholarship programs to help parents fund their children’s camp experience.
A child learning is a beautiful thing. By learning basic social skills, autistic children can establish communication tools they can use throughout their life and build the confidence they need to interact with their peers.
Learn more about social skills camps sponsored by ASDF by visiting www.myasdf.org or by calling 877.806.0635.