Join us for a fantastic four-week long, Summer Camp dedicated to children who are late talkers and children with autism or those showing suspected signs of autism. You can register for each 4 day week individually or the entire program at a discounted rate. Each week will have a different theme with theme-related activities each day! Registration is hosted by www.eventbrite.com.

 

Week 1 is from June 3 to June 6, 2024, let's come together for a fun and engaging experience designed to support and empower these incredible kids! Embrace new activities, make new friends, and create lasting memories.

 

WEEK 1's Theme: SOCIAL SKILLS!

Each day we will target a different aspect of social skills, such as greeting and requesting, sharing and taking turns, following directions, and emotions. Social skills are crucial for toddlers to learn as they form the foundation for successful interactions and relationships throughout their lives.

 

Here's why they're so important:

 

1. Communication: Social skills enable toddlers to effectively communicate their needs, thoughts, and feelings to others. Learning how to express themselves verbally and non-verbally fosters better understanding and connection with peers and adults.

2. Relationship Building: Developing social skills helps toddlers form meaningful relationships with family members, peers, and caregivers. Learning to share, take turns, and cooperate fosters positive interactions and a sense of belonging.

3. Empathy and Understanding: Social skills promote empathy and understanding by teaching toddlers to consider others' perspectives and feelings. This helps them develop compassion and the ability to navigate complex social situations with sensitivity.

4. Conflict Resolution: Learning social skills equips toddlers with the tools to resolve conflicts peacefully and constructively. They learn how to negotiate, compromise, and problem-solve, fostering healthier relationships and reducing aggression or frustration.

5. Self-Regulation: Social interactions provide opportunities for toddlers to practice self-regulation and emotional control. They learn to manage their impulses, emotions, and reactions in various social contexts, which is essential for their overall well-being and success.

6. Adaptability: Developing social skills enhances toddlers' adaptability and flexibility in diverse social environments. They learn to navigate new situations, make friends, and adjust their behavior based on social cues, setting the stage for future social and academic success.

 

Social skills are essential for toddlers as they lay the groundwork for healthy relationships, effective communication, and emotional well-being, ultimately shaping their social competence and success in life.

 

Week 2 is from June 10 to June 13, 2024

WEEK 2's Theme: FOOD!

Each day we will target a different food group, such as fruits, vegetables, desserts, and of course pizza!

 

Each day we will target a different food group, such as fruits, vegetables, desserts, and pizza of course! This week's theme presents a unique opportunity for these children to explore, engage with, and gradually desensitize to various foods in a supportive and non-threatening environment as well as learning food vocabulary and how to request foods.

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Week 3 is from June 17 to June 20, 2024

WEEK 3's Theme: ANIMALS!

Each day we will target a different set of animals, such as pet/farm, sea animals, zoo animals, and of course insects.

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Each day we will target a different animal group, such as pet/farm, sea animals, zoo animals, and insects of course! This week's theme presents a unique opportunity for these children to explore, themed animal activities which can have a positive impact on language acquisition and communication skills.

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Week 4 is from June 24 to June 27, 2024

WEEK 4's Theme: TRANSPORTATION!

Each day we will target a different transportation group, such as water, land, air, and emergency vehicles. This week's theme presents an exciting opportunity for these children to explore, themed transportation activities which can have a positive impact on language acquisition and communication skills and more! We may even have a few special uniformed visitors this week!

 

Our goal is to expose the children to many different things in a language-enriched playful, therapeutic environment!

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The camp will also feature our Play It Super Safe Program! The Play It Super Safe program, www.abygtherapy.com/autism, is a service offered through our speech therapy clinic. It is a comprehensive initiative designed to support children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and children with decreased auditory, speech, and language skills in general. This program works well in various social and recreational settings. It focuses on helping the child inclusively respond to their environment helping them thrive, learn, and interact comfortably with their peers. It is a musical intervention that the campers will benefit from simply by listening to the therapeutic music. For a detailed description of the program, visit www.abygtherapy.com/autism.

Implemented within our summer camp, the Play It Super Safe program will involve several key components:

1. Specialized Intervention: In addition to speech, language, and fine motor intervention, campers will also participate in a musical intervention evidenced to help with regulation of the central nervous system in turn helping with speech and language skills and much more!

2. Specialized Training: Camp staff are certified speech-language pathologists or occupational therapists with experience and training to understand the unique needs of children who are late talkers and/or children with ASD.

3. Structured Activities: The program will offer a variety of structured activities designed to promote social interaction, communication skills, and sensory exploration. These activities will be carefully planned to accommodate the diverse interests and abilities of all campers.

4. Visual Supports and Schedules: Visual supports such as visual schedules, picture cards, and social stories will be used to help children navigate daily camp routines and activities, reducing anxiety and promoting independence.

5. Positive Reinforcement and Encouragement: Camp counselors will use positive reinforcement and encouragement to motivate children, building their confidence and self-esteem throughout the camp experience.

6. Community Support: Selected community leaders will visit with the children based on the week's theme to allow real-life learning and exposure.

7. Collaboration with Parents/Guardians: Open communication and collaboration with parents/guardians will be emphasized to ensure continuity of support between home and camp. Feedback will be solicited and incorporated to continually improve the program.

 

Overall, the Play It Super Safe program aims to create a safe, welcoming, and supportive environment where children who are late talkers and children with ASD can participate fully in the summer camp experience, build friendships, and create lasting memories.

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