August 25, 2007
Free, or next to Free Speech Therapy for Children with Cerebral Palsy- Blow Bubbles!
#1 on the list- Blowing Bubbles!
Yes, this is one of the most effective things you can to to develop muscles needed for speech. You use the same muscles to blow bubbles as you do to form sounds in speech.
Here is cheap and easy bubble recipe :
Bubble Recipe
1/2 cup of dish washing liquid (Dawn or Joy)
2 cups of water
2 teaspoons of sugar
Add your choice of food coloring if you like.
Bubble recipe courtesy of Lifelearning.org
Here is more information about cerebral palsy therapies.
March 20, 2007
United Cerebral Palsy of Michigan: Essay Contest
Essay contest raises disability awareness. The essay contest is for 6th, 7th, and 8th graders. Submit your essays telling United Cerebral Palsy what it’s like to either have or know someone who has a disability.
Essays are due April 27, 2007.
Winning essays will be printed in the United Cerebral Palsy newsletter Pathways. Winners will receive a stuffed “Ability Bear†and a gift certificate for a pizza, and their schools will receive the books Ceana has CP and The Gun Lake Adventure Series mysteries.
Essays should be 500 words or less and contain the student’s name, age, school and address. The deadline is April 27, 2007.
Mail or fax essays to:
UCP Michigan
3401 E. Saginaw, Suite 216
Lansing MI 48912
Fax: 517-203-1203
March 15, 2007
Walt Disney World and Special Needs- Special Access Pass and Wheelchair Sticker
Surprisingly, Walt Disney does not fully address problems that special needs kids have while visiting their theme parks. The policy seems to change depending on who you talk to and what manager is on duty. Here are some of there policies as well as some little known info.
They do offer a “Special Access Pass.” The pass works the same as a Fast Pass, where you can go through a much shorter, quicker line with next to no wait. The problem is, most rides don’t have a Fast Pass option, especially those for younger children.
Special Access Passes are NOT available for use during peak seasons. Although, you may be able to challenge and get one.
In some cases special needs kids have been sent through regular lines and made to wait 1- 2 hours to use the rides, and to make matters worse, strollers are not allowed in the lines. This may be impossible for some children with cerebral palsy to bear.
A little known fact, if you go to guest services, you can receive a special sticker to put on your stroller that says “wheelchair” and it will be allowed in the regular line. Why this information is so hard to find I just don’t know. I was recently at Walt Disney World and was astonished at the lack of information.
Do you have any tips or advice for families traveling to Walt Disney World with a special needs child, or a child with cerebral palsy? Please share with us by posting in the comments section!
December 27, 2006
Boundless Playgrounds- Barrier Free Playgrounds for children with special needs
These playgrounds are designed for ALL children, regardless of abilities. They are barrier free and allow children of all abilities to enjoy outdoor play. The group works with volunteers and city officials to create a barrier free playground from standard playground equipment. The process begins with a group of committed individuals who get together and form a committee, with the building of a barrier free playground in their neighbourhood as their mission. Boundless Playground can help you get started and work with you to get the project accomplished.
There are many barrier-free and accessible playgrounds in the United States- for a complete list of playground or to find one in your neighbourhood, you can visit http://boundlessplaygrounds.org/findplaygrounds/.
December 4, 2006
Children’s Fiction and Cerebral Palsy: Kids Books with Cerebral Palsy in Storyline
Books are always great choice for any kid, and now there more and more books to choose from that are fun, and interesting, to read and feature children living with cerebral palsy. You can pick up most of these books at your local library, if they are not available make a request, most libraries are happy to fulfill requests for books from their patrons. These books can also be found in big online bookstores like Amazon.com and BarnesandNoble.com.
Below find a list of books that any can enjoy, living with or without cerebral palsy. If you know of others books you would like to recommend, please feel free to post in the comments sections and share with other families. We would love to here from you.
The Barn at Gun Lake
by Johnnie Tuitel, Eduardo Pilande (Illustrator), Eduardo Pilande (Illustrator), Dan Sharp (Illustrator), Sharon Lamson
Gr 4-6 – Johnnie was born with cerebral palsy and is confined to a wheelchair. He does not find his disability to be a handicap, just a challenge to overcome in order to be accepted by the kids in his new town. To join the Gun Lake Gang, he needs to complete an initiation. He must go to the old barn by the lake and bring back something to prove he was there. He stumbles onto a CD-pirating ring while in the barn and the gang decides to find out who is running it. In the second book, Johnnie and his friends solve the mysterious explosion of a race car. Many clues point to the mechanic, and the Gun Lake Gang takes the case on to clear his name. The kids in the gang are realistic. Some of them accept Johnnie, some question his disability, and one boy is uncomfortable with the situation but tries, with reluctance, to accept what Johnnie has to offer. The characters are well defined and the mysteries are puzzling enough to keep readers involved.
Small Steps
by Louis Sachar
Two years after being released from Camp Green Lake, Armpit is home in Austin, Texas, trying to turn his life around. But it’s hard when you have a record, and everyone expects the worst from you. The only person who believes in him is Ginny, his 10-year old disabled neighbor. Together, they are learning to take small steps. And he seems to be on the right path, until X-Ray, a buddy from Camp Green Lake, comes up with a get-rich-quick scheme. This leads to a chance encounter with teen POP sensation, Kaira DeLeon, and suddenly his life spins out of control, with only one thing for certain. He’ll never be the same again.
Rolling along: The Story of Taylor and His Wheelchair
by Jamee Riggio Heelan, Nicola Simmonds (Illustrator)
Taylor and Tyler are twins. Though alike in many ways, Taylor was born with cerebral palsy and Tyler was not. When Taylor learned how to use a wheelchair it changed his life. Now he can keep up with his friends at school and even play basketball. His mobility allows him to be more independent, which he likes. This story can be beneficial for youngsters who are adjusting to a wheelchair so they can develop a sense of pride and accomplishment in their mobility. It’s also useful for siblings, friends, relatives, and classmates of a child who uses a wheelchair.
Imagine Me on a Sit-Ski!
by George Moran
Billy, who uses a wheelchair, never imagined himself able to ski, so he’s very excited when he discovers that he and his disabled classmates are going to have a chance to learn. He describes his experiences at Snow Valley, where disabled people are able to use adaptive equipment and are helped by specially trained instructors. Some of Billy’s classmates use such devices as crutches on skis; Billy uses a sit-ski. His detailed narrative describes how the equipment works as well as his adventures on the slopes. The accompanying watercolor illustrations are lively and colorful and will be helpful for introducing readers to specialized ski equipment. A book that will inspire as well as promote understanding and awareness.
On Being Sarah
by Elizabeth Helfman
Gr 5-8 – Sarah, 12, is confined to a wheelchair, with limited movement and no speech, the result of cerebral palsy. Her story involves her struggle and growth in regard to self-image; her relationships with family, peers, and neighbors; her adjustment at school; and the beginnings of a romance. Her thoughts are set in italics, reminding readers that she is nonverbal. Charles Bliss’s system of pictoral/symbol communication is worked in throughout the story, as Sarah uses this system. Helfman supplies keen realism and compassionate descriptions of the girl’s response to physical and emotional frustration, and her heroine is both introspective and outwardly determined.
Be Quiet Marina!
by Kirsten de Bear, Kirsten DeBear
Moira and Marina are special children. They’re students at the Bank Street Family Center preschool. Using black and white photos, the story follows Moria and Marina at preschool and the ups and downs of their relationship as friends. Marina is a very outgoing child who enjoys lots of activity and noise. Moira is a quiet child who enjoys playing alone. Even though they are friends, their different personalities and needs cause conflict at preschool. The photos and text relate how Moira and Marina solve their differences by communicating with one another, a task for all preschoolers. Through the use of language, each is able to confront her problems and solve them. This story is a gentle reminder that everyone has special needs, but we must all communicate effectively to understand and relate to one another. The fact that the girls seem to solve their own problem will inspire other youngsters to do the same. Viewing special needs children as just children in everyday situations, in their own words, should inspire understanding.
Toys and Cerebral Palsy- Finding Toys for Special Needs Kids
This is a terrific find- http://www.ableplay.org/ a site that reviews toys for children with special needs.
They have a huge data base, you just have to input that type of disability your child has (physical, sensatory, cognitive or communicative). It will list and rate toys that your child might enjoy.
November 23, 2006
Special Needs Therapy and Respite Camps for Kids
Compiled below is a list of special needs camps. If you know of one that isn’t here please let us know so I can update and share with other families looking for camps for their children with cerebral palsy or other special needs.
Connecticut
- Kris’ Camp
- Camp Horizons provides winter weekend get-a-ways, a week long holiday event, and 8 weeks of residential summer camp for children and adults who are mild to moderately mentally handicapped. In South Windham, CT.
- Camp Hemlocks, in Hebron, is a rustic, barrier-free, year-round camping facility which provides recreational, educational and social programs for children and adults with disabilities and their families.
- Time for Life
Holds a summer camp in Martha’s Vineyard for kids with cancer and their families.
Delaware
- Camp Fairlee provides recreational camping for children and adults with disabilities, and respite for caregivers, in Delaware and on Maryland’s Eastern Shore.
- Atlantic Coast Special Educational Services provides full time, summer & respite residential services for people with learning related disabilities (Ocean View, DE).
- PECS Two Week Intensive Summer Program is designed to enhance the lives of children (2yr-6yr) with autism and related developmental disabilities.
- Summer at the Cedars, Bridgeview, DE. Please call 302/337-3200 for more info [ADHD/ADD focus].
District of Columbia
- Summer Adventure Camp, Washington, DC. Sensory integration, ages 4-9. (202) 986-9896.
- Washington Parent Summer Camp Guide lists all types of summer camps.
Maine
- Camp Sunshine, in Casco, provides a respite for children with life threatening illnesses and their families.
Maryland
- Camp Fairlee provides recreational camping for children and adults with disabilities, and respite for caregivers, in Delaware and on Maryland’s Eastern Shore.
- National Speech/Language Therapy Center, Bethesda. Speech, OT.
- Therapeutic Summer Camp, in Silver Springs, is operated by The Boys’ & Girls’ Homes and Community Services, Inc.
- Camp Greentop, Physical and multiple disabilities, Ages 7+.
- Capital Camps, Rockville, MD. Jewish Program. Special needs, ages 9-13. (301) 468-CAMP.
- Life Horse, in Frederick, helps terminally and chronically ill children under the age of 21 find happiness and companionship through emotional and spiritual healing using horses.
- Kamp Akomplish, in southern Maryland, has a camp and also provides respite services. 301-870-3226.
Massachusetts
- Camp Starfish serves emotionally, behaviorally, and learning disabled children by providing a safe therapeutic milieu in a natural camp setting. By providing a one-to-one camper to staff ratio the unique demands of each camper may be met while forging individual trusting relationships. Camp Starfish is located on 12 private acres in Brewster, MA.
- Camp New Connections is a Pragmatic Language Group program that serves children and adolescents who are high functioning, but struggling with the social deficits associated with Asperger’s Disorder, Nonverbal Learning Disability, and other Developmental Disorders.
- YouthCare runs a therapeutic summer camp for children with asperger’s, PDD and ADHD Associated with Massachusetts General Hospital in Charlestown.
- Camp Arrowhead, on Lake Cochituate, is a day and residential camp that serves children and adults with disabilities.
- Handi-Kids, in Bridgewater, provides recreational and therapy services for mentally and physically challenged children.
- Camp Safe Haven, children with AIDS, in Vineyard Haven, MA.
- Autism Treatment center of America’s Sonrise Program for families with special children (Option Institute, Sheffield, MA).
- Camp Echo Bridge, Newton, integrates children with special needs with more typical children, and serves kids ages 3-15.
- Time for Life holds a summer camp in Martha’s Vineyard for kids with cancer and their families.
- Camp Carole, in West Roxbury, is a camp for children with cancer.
- Camp S.T.A.R. is for children ages 5 through 22 with physical, cognitive, sensory, emotional, and/or multiple disabilities. For more information, please call the YMCA of the North Shore at 978-922-0990, ext 129.
Can’t find what you are looking for? Here is a listing of other web sites that list camps.
New Hampshire
- Camp Fatima’s Special Needs E.C. Week, Wolfeboro, New Hampshire.
- Camp Without Barriers for Children and Adults with Disabilities. Camp Sno-Mo is an inclusive camping program that partners the Boy Scouts with children who have physical and cognitive disabilities.
- Wediko Summer Program in the Monadnock region, is focused on children whose learning, social development and self-direction is lagging.
- Camp Sno-Mo is an inclusive camping program that partners the Boy Scouts with children who have physical and cognitive disabilities.
- Camp Carpenter offers a Manchester-based residential or day camp in collaboration with the cub scouts.
New Jersey
- PECS Two Week Intensive Summer Program, designed to enhance the lives of children and adults with autism and related developmental disabilities.
- Camp Merry Hearts focuses on respite for families, achievement in challenges, building of self-esteem in a safe environment, opportunities to have friends and to get along with others.
- Harbor Haven, in West Orange, is a 7-week, co-ed day camp for children ages 3-15 with mild special needs.
- Round Lake Camp/New Jersey YM-YWHA Camps, Fairfield, NJ. Please call 973.575.3333 ext 122 for more info [focus on ADD/Learning Disabilities].
- Children’s Specialized Hospital in Mountainside runs both summer camps and day camps.
- Camp Oakhurst serves physically challenged adults and children in Oakhurst, NJ.
- Summer Learning Programs, provides alternative education for students with Attention Deficit Disorder and behavioral concerns. It is run by the Windsor Schools in Morristown, Patterson, and Pompton.
- Camp Star, in Rahway, is a day camp for special needs kids 8-21.
- Camp Excel, in Howell, is a specialized day camp for children ages 5-17 with ADHD and others with Social Skills Challenges.
- Camp Nejeda, in Stillwater, is a residential summer camp for children with diabetes with an emphasis on providing diabetes self management and nutrition education in a traditional camp setting.
- New Jersey Elks Camp Moore is a recreational camp for handicapped children in the Ramapo Mountains. Email Easter Seals Camp, in Mt. Juliet Tennessee, offers several summer sessions for various disabilities as well as some integrated camp experiences. Easter Seals, TN also holds Respite Weekends throughout the year.
- Camp Mockingbird is a free summer camp for blind youth, ages 7-17, of the Mid-South. Full camping activities are offered for one week in late July or early August. Supervision with qualified teachers and counselors. A resident doctor is provided. Sponsored by Memphis/White Station Lions Club. For more info: 901-767-3896 or 1-800-767-9752.
Louisiana
- Med Camps of Louisiana offers a 3 day
camp for children with autism. - The
BREC, in Baton Rouge,
runs several day camps, each of which is open to children with challenges.
Camp
Sunshine is
a day camp specifically for children with challenges. - Camp Quality is a
summer camping experience and year-round support program for children with
cancer.
Mississippi
- Kamp
Kaleidoscope is a one week summer camp for children with an autism
spectrum disorder and their neuro-typical peers.
North
Carolina
- The Autism Society of North
Carolina sponsors two Summer Camps,
Camp Royall, in Chatham
County, and Montain Adventure, in
Black Type
Mountain. Each is a residential
summer camp for individuals with autism, ages 4 to adult, and you can
learn more about both camps at the link above. - SIGHT is
a two-week outdoor residential program for children and adolescents with
autism spectrum disorder and Asperger’s
Syndrome. SIGHT is one of the Talisman Summer
Programs which also serve ADHD and other populations. - Camp G.R.A.C.E, in City
Raleigh, is a day
camp for kids with autism aged 6-13. - Camp Free Spirit, in
Gibsonville, N.C., offers day camp throughout the summer for kids with and
without disabilities, ages 5 years and up. - SOAR (success oriented achievement realized) is a non-profit therapeutic
adventure program for AD/HD and LD youth in Balsam, N.C. - White Harvest Camp, in
Jefferson, is an inter-denominational Christian
camp/summer camp for children with special needs. - Camp Timberwolf,
in Hendersonville,
serves children diagnosed with LD, ADD/ADHD, OCD, and similar behavioral
challenges. - Type
Camp Name
Sky Ranch
in Blowing Rock, N.C. 828-264-8600 Write to: Jack and Betty Sharpe, address
515 Hobbs Road, City
Greensboro, NC PostalCode
27403 - The Goldsboro Parks
& Recreation Dept. offers a two week camp for children with
special needs. This camp is no cost to the participants, and kids will
learn social skills, bond with friendship old and new. 919-739-7489
or email Lorice
Smith, Special Population’s Program Leader. - Camp
Dogwood is owned and
operated by the North Carolina Lions Foundation, Inc. NCLF serves as a
wide resource for the blind and visually impaired residents of State
North Carolina. For
more information, please call 1-(800) 662-7401.
South
Carolina
- Camp Adam
Fisher for kids with diabetes and their siblings.
Tennessee
- The Tennessee Disability Pathfinder
is an Internet based community for persons seeking disability resources.
Click on the Recreation and Summer Camps building. - For the Middle Tennessee
region you might try the Vanderbilt Children’s Hospital’s Summer Camp directory. - Camp Discovery, located on the
Flynn’s Creek area of Cordell Hull Lake in Jackson County, provides summer camping opportunities for people with special needs. - River’s Way, in Bluff City, provides opportunities for youth of all abilities to work, learn and have fun together in educational and outdoor adventure settings.
- The ARC of
the mid-south sponsors one-week residential camp in Memphis for
campers with developmental disabilities, age 8 years and older. - UCP of Memphis holds
Camp Name
Livitup, an eight-week day camp for persons ages 5-18 with any
disability. - The Speech and Name
Hearing Center
in Chattanooga
holds a summer
day camp for deaf children and their siblings from 3 to16 years of
age.
Virginia
- Camp
Holiday Trails, in Charlottesville,
believes that all children with special health needs should be given an
opportunity to enjoy a summer camp experience. - Camp
Easter Seals East & West, in
Virginia. - Bright
Moments is a camp in Virginia
that is designed to offer children living with sickle
cell disorders the opportunity to enjoy physically challenging
tasks in a supportive and cooperative atmosphere. - Camp Baker, Chesterfield,
VA., is run by the Richmond ARC
and serves mild to severe MR/autism/ADD/ADHD/ED/LD. Ages 6+. (804)
748-4789 or CampBaker at RichmondARC
dot org. - Burgundy Farm
Summer Day Camp, Alexandria.
Ages 3¾ to 15, mild disabilities on a case-by-case basis. (703) 329-9495. - George
Mason University
Compu-Play/Compu-Write,
Fairfax, State
VA. Severe disabilities. (703)
993-3670. - Camp Sunshine YMCA,
Stafford, State
VA. Special needs. Ages 8-21. (540)
371-9622. - Good Beginnings,
Falls Church, State
VA. Sensory Integration group classes,
ages 3-8. (703) 536-1817. - Kellar
Camp and Challenge Camp, Fairfax,
VA. ADD and ADHD, ages 6-16.
(703) 218-8523. - New Directions
Â?Quality vacationsÂ? for people with
DD. (805) 967-2841. - Parent
Educational Advocacy
Training Center
maintains a list of summer
camps in the Virginia
area.
Camps in the Midwest USA
Illinois
- The Association for Individual
Development, in Aurora,
runs a one week residential camp for children with disabilities. Phone
Laura McNeece at 630.844.5040, xt203. - The Illinois Tourette
Camp is a non-profit organization dedicated to promoting camping
opportunities for children with Tourette
Syndrome (TS) and its associated disorders, Obsessive Compulsive Disorder
(OCD) and Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADD/ADHD). - Camp Quality, in City
Frankfort, is a
summer camping experience and year-round support program for children with
cancer. - Camp Little Giant is a
summer camp for individuals with disabilities run by the Touch of Nature
Environmental Center of Southern Illinois University in
Carbondale. - Touch of Nature’s
Therapeutic Recreation Program is designed to help individuals
experiencing physical and developmental disabilities, visual and hearing
impairments, muscular dystrophy, cerebral palsy, ADD/ADHD, and traumatic
brain injuries. It is run by the Touch of Nature Environmental Center of
Southern Illinois University in Carbondale. - Easter Seals Camp in Hudson, Illinois serves kids with disabilities. 309/365-8021; Rr 2 Box, Hudson, IL PostalCode 61748.
Indiana
- Bradford Woods, City
Martinsville, Indiana
runs a number of summer camps including a residential camp for persons
with disabilities. - Camp Isanogel
is a summer camp and year round program serving children and adults ages
5-70+ years of age. Located in Muncie,
Indiana. - Red Cedar in
Fort Wayne, IN,
is a therapeutic horse back riding camp. - Camp Awareness, in
Noblesville, IN,
is a unique camp experience for children on the autism spectrum. - Camp Millhouse,
in South Bend,
holds eight 1-week camps from June -August. Serves campers with moderate
to severe disabilities, ages 4+, coed. For more information send email to campmillhouse@MSN.com or at
574-233-2202. - CHAMP City
Camp P.O. Box PostalCode 40407,
Indianapolis, IN 46240, 317/875-9496, holds
a one-week summer session for “medically fragile” kids (the camp
is held at Recreation Unlimited in Ashley,
OH). - Anderson Woods
provides 4 day summer camp experiences for developmentally disabled children and
adults. For more information, call Judy Colby at (812)357-2325.
Iowa
- Camp Courageous, State
Monticello Iowa
(319/465-5916). Thousands of campers with disabilities attend CourageousU recreational and respite facilities
annually. - Camp Albrecht Acres,
in Sherrill, State
Iowa, is a Camp for the mentally and
physically disabled and ages range from 2-Unlimited. They have run summer
sessions since 1975 (serving 400-600 campers per summer), but plan to go
year round starting in 2000. - Easter
Seals Camp Sunnyside serves any Iowan 4 years and older with any type
of disability, either mental or physical. - Amanda the Panda
provides support to grieving children and their families through a variety
of services. It is located in Des
Moines, IA. - Camp Hertko Hollow, in City
Boone, IA,
is a camp for children with diabetes. - Camp Quality Heartland
is a summer camping experience and year-round support program for children
with cancer. - Easter Seals Camp
Sunnyside, address PO Box
4002, Des Moines, State
IA PostalCode 50333,
Phone: 515/289-1933, extension 207. Programs: Adventure Camping
(year-round), Residential Camping (summer), Day Camp (summer), Respite and
Supported Community Living Services (year-round). - Camp Wesley Woods
515/961-4523, Indianola,
Iowa counducts
an Exceptional Persons Camp for adults with mental handicaps–I do not
know whether they also have a camp for kids.
Michigan
- The Autistic Children’s Treatment
Network, in Bingham Farms, is a day camp for children with autism
spectrum disorders (ASD). - Horizons Developmental Remediation
Center, in Caledonia, has summer
programs for children with autism and related impairments. - Grand Haven Attention
Camp is a day-treatment camp for families with school age children
with adhd. - Camp Quality has
several camping experiences as well as a year-round support program for
children with cancer. - Life Horse for the Kids,
in Ortonville, helps terminally and chronically ill children under the age
of 21 find happiness and companionship through emotional and spiritual
healing using the horse. - Eric RicStar Winter Music Therapy Camp, in East Lansing, is a day camp for all persons with special needs and their siblings.
- Learning on the Log, in City
Traverse City, runs a summer camp program, as well as after school and Saturday programs. They strive to increase children’s expressive and receptive relationship to the world around them. Everyone needs these elements to reach their maximum potential as equal participants in the world. - Camp Fowler has year round
programs for handicapped children, teens, and adults starting at a long
weekend to two weeks long. Contact: The Fowler Center, 2315 Harmon Lake Road, Mayville, MI
PostalCode 48744. Phone:
(517) 673-2050. - Able Abe’s Summer Camp – day camp for children with special needs ages 4 – 10 years in Birmingham, MI (suburb of Detroit). Small, therapeutic environment with physical, occupational, and speech therapists on staff. Can register for one to six weeks. For more information call 248-855-0030.
- The Abilities Center
also sponsors summer intensive therapy services for people who come to the
Birmingham
area from out of town. A few days to 2 week stays can be arranged with an
individualized therapy program established based on the needs of the child
and family. Family education an integral part of the program. Specially
trained in NDT, Sensory Integration, Interactive Metronome, Therapeutic
Listening, Craniosacral Therapy, Fast Forward, and more. Call for information 248-855-0030.
Minnesota
- Camp Buckskin, in Ely, has been
meeting the needs of youth with academic and/or social skill difficulties
- particularly those with AD/HD and Learning Disabilities – for over forty
years. - Friendship Ventures runs two
residential
summer camps for anyone age 5 and older who has developmental and (or)
physical disability, and also runs a year round weekend respite program. Camp
Friendship is in Annandale,
and Eden Name
Wood Center
is in Eden Prarie. - Camp
Courage, Minnesota. Includes camping
sessions for children suffering from Asthma, Deafness, Cancer, Hemophilia and Sickle cell anemia. - Camp Odayin,
at Camp Name
Knutson in Crosslake, provides a
residential camping experience for young people with heart disease. - Twin Cities Autism
Society runs a summer camp for AS, autistic, and PDD kids. Voice:
651/647-1083; address 970 Raymond
Ave., # 101, St. Paul, State
MN PostalCode 55114-1146.
Missouri
- Camp
Determination is held at
Tall Oaks
Conference Center
in Linwood, and is one of only a very few camps in the country-region
United States
designed specifically for children and youth with autism spectrum
disorders. Go to Autism Asperger Resource Center and then click on the
Camp Name
Determination link. - Wonderland Camp, A Special Camp for Special Friends On the
Lake of the Ozarks. - Camp Black Hawk,
north of Rolla, is a special needs summer camp for children and adults
with developmental disabilities. - Camp Carpe Diem,
north of Rolla, is also a special needs summer camp for children and adults
with developmental disabilities. - Camp Barnabus, near
Springfield, was created so that
children with special needs can do the things they might normally feel
left out of. The camp has counselors, doctors and nurses, and cooks on
staff at the camp. For more information, 417-476-2565. - Camp Quality Kansas City is a
summer camping experience and year-round support program for children with
cancer. - Camp Quality Northwest Missouri
is a summer camping experience and year-round support program for children
with cancer. - Camp Quality Central
Missouri is a summer camping experience and year-round support program
for children with cancer. - Camp Quality Ozark
is a summer camping experience and year-round support program for children
with cancer. - Building the Road to
Independence, in Webster
Groves, is a sports day camp for kids with
cerebral palsy. It is directed by the St. Louis Children’s Hospital’s
Carol and Paul Hatfield Cerebral Palsy Sports and Name
Rehabilitation Center.
Download the application at www.stlchildrenshospital.org
under the Parents & Kids section, or call 314-454-2604 for more
information.
Nebraska
- Camp
Without Barriers is a summer camp that
provides week long getaways for children and adults with disabilities. It
is run by Easter Seals Nebraska. - Camp Kindle, children with AIDS, in
Hordville,
NE. - Camp Quality Heartland is a
summer camping experience and year-round support program for children with
cancer.
Ohio
- Camp NuHop, in
Ashland, OH,
is a summer residential program for any youngster from 6 to 16 with a
learning disability, behavior disorder, or attention deficit disorder. - Camp Silver Lake,
in New Carlisle, is a day camp that provides children with 30 hours of
structured activities to meet their individual needs for movement,
creativity and various sensory experiences. - Sky Ranch is to
serve the disabled population as a test bed of the most innovative
adaptive equipment for all types of working, living and recreational
activities. Located in northern Ohio. - Camp Echoing
Hills is a coed residential bible camp and special needs program in
Warsaw, OH.
Specific services available for the emotionally challenged,
developmentally challenged, hearing impaired, learning disabled,
physically challenged, and visually impaired, ages: 7-70. The Tri-Village
Lions Club offers financial support
to campers. - Akron Rotary Camp
for Special Needs Children is a camp run by the YMCA in
Northeast Ohio. - Stepping Stones,
in Cincinnatti, offers a day camp program for
children with challenges and a residential camp for people of all ages
with challenges. - Camp Quality
Ohio is a summer camping experience and year-round support program for
children with cancer. - Recreation Unlimited
in Ashley, Ohio holds a number of residential camps for youths and adults with developmental and/or physical disabilities. They also hold weekend respite retreats throughout the year. 740/548-7006, or write them at address 7700 Piper Rd, Ashley,
OH, PostalCode 43003-9741. - Camp Cheerful,
Ohio,
(440) 238-6200. A residential camp for children with Aspbergers
Syndrome or Pervasive Developmental Disorder – Not Otherwise Specified.
They also have a residental camp for children
and adults that have physical disabilities. - Adventure Camp,
sponsored by the Kidney Foundation of Ohio and the Epilepsy Foundation of
Northeast Ohio, will be held at Camp
Cheerful in
Strongsville from July 8 – 13, 2001.
This experience will be as close to a “typical” camp as
possible. Medical staff will be there to provide for the needs of the
campers. The cost per camper is $315, but financial aid is available for
those who require it. For further information, call Kathy Lawry (Kidney
Foundation) at (216)771-1700 or Marsha Collins (Epilepsy Foundation) at
(216)579-1330.
Oklahoma
- SUMMIT Physical Therapy & Rehab,
in Claremore, runs a sensorimotor camp for kids
with Aspberger’s/Autism. For information on the
camp please (918) 341-4343.
Wisconsin
- Respite Camp,
in in the Dells, is run by the Wisconsin Elks
and Easter Seals. - Wisconsin Badger Camp, in
Platteville, has been serving the developmentally challenged children and
adults for over 30 years. - Easter Seals Camp
Wawbeek, in the Dells, provides camping
experiences for hundreds of children and adults with physical disabilities
each year. - Adventures for Life runs day and
residential camps for people with developmental challenges who are 12 or
older. The Milwaukee Center for
Independence sponsors the camp. - Easter Seals Southeastern
Wisconsin offers a Summer
Respite Program for individuals age 7-21 with disabilities. - Wisconsin Lions Camp, in
Rosholt, is a summer camp for children with Visual, Hearing or
Mild/Borderline Cognitive Disabilities. - Camp Heartland, Inc., children
with AIDS, in Cudahy, State
WI. - Special Touch Ministries, in Waupuca, offers the Summer Get Away program. It
features separate recreation and chapel services that are functionally
appropriate for people with physical disabilities and for people with
mental disabilities. - RESPITE CARE provided for
parents with children or adults with disabilities. Tender Loving Care in a
Christian home on a dairy farm in Southwest Wisconsin.
For more information e-mail: Jane.
Camps in the Southwest USA
New Mexico
- Camp Rising Sun, in the
mountains east of Albuquerque, is a summer camp
for children with autism spectrum disorder Ages 8 – 13. - Apple Dumplin
Camp is a new (1999) camp in New Mexico that
serves handicapped children in a Christian environment.
Texas
- Children’s Association for Maximum
Potential (C.A.M.P.) Camp, Texas Hill Country at City
Center Point, Texas
(210/292-3566). Residential camping, day-care, respite, rehabilitation for
children with severe medical, physical or mental disabilities. Large
medical staff enables nation-wide acceptance of children with severe
problems.. - Camp For All,
in Burton,
is a unique camping and retreat facility that works in partnership with
special needs groups to enrich the lives of people with chronic illnesses
and disabilities. - The Peaceable Kingdom Retreat for
Children, in Temple,
seeks to serve chronically ill and special needs children. - Camp Summit, a year round
camp for children with brachial plexus injuries and their families near
Dallas, TX. - United Cerebral Palsy of Greater Houston
has day and overnight camps for kids with disabilities, in-home respite
for parents, and other respite programs. - Star Ranch Summer Camp
Ingram, Texas. - The Marbridge
Foundation holds a unique summer camp designed for young men and
women, 16 years or older, who have mild to moderate developmental disabilities or other
cognitive challenges. Located in Manchaca,
TX. - The Monarch School,
Houston, TX,
is dedicated to providing an innovative, therapeutic education for
children. It also offers a summer day camp for LD, ADD, AHDH, tourettes, and aspergers
kids. - Camp Quality is a summer camping
experience and year-round support program for children with cancer. - Dallas
Therapy offers an intensive speech therapy camp for 2-7 years olds. - Camp Hope,
children with AIDS, Houston,
TX, 713/623-6796, send email. - Camp Wenoweez is a week-long residential camp held at
Camp for All in Burton
for children ages 7-12 with asthma. It is sponsored by the American Lung
Association of Texas.
Camps in the Western USA
Alaska
Arizona
- Kris’ Camp
, Arizona. - Camp Tatiyee,
in Lakeside, is a special needs camp
supported by the Lions of Arizona. - Lake
Powell Summer Adventure Camp features alternative, high-adventure,
camping experiences for children ages 13-23, with a variety of abilities. - Arizona Camp Sunrise and Sidekicks,
in Phoenix,
offer special programs for children who have or have had cancer, and their
brothers and sisters.
California
- Camp Rubber Soul, Mendocino, California.
- Kris’ Camp, Idyllwild, California.
- Surfer’s Healing runs surfing camps for autistic children in Malibu, San Diego, and San Onofre.
- Sickle Cell Disease Research Foundation in Los Angeles, CA operates an annual summer camp for children with sickle cell disease between the ages of 8-14.
- PRC, Inc. runs a free day camp for handicapped children in San Francisco. 415/665-4100.
- Camping Unlimited (Camp Krem), in Boulder Creek, California (90 min. south of San Francisco), provides summer and year-round recreational activities for children and adults with developmental disabilities.
- Camp Harmon is a resident, co-educational camp for disabled children and adults in Boulder Creek, California.
- Easter Seals of Central California sponsors several camps for children and adults with developmental disabilities.
- Camp Laurel, children with AIDS, Los Angeles, CA.
- Ability First in Hollywood, CA runs daycamps and residential camps.
- Camp LotsaFun, Lake Tahoe, is n innovative summer camping program for children and adults qith developmental disabilities from throughout the states of Nevada and California.
- Success Oriented Achievement Realized (SOAR) features success-oriented, high adventure camp programs for LD, ADHD and ADD preteens, teens and adults. They hold programs in several locations, including California.
- Pilgrim Pines is a nondenominational camp that has been running residential camps for challenged adults since the 1970s. They are expanding to include middle school children and teens in 2000. Located in Oak Glen/Yucaipa, CA.
- New Horizons is a year round, community based, socialization-recreation program designed to expand the horizons of developmentally disabled adolescents and adults in Orange County, CA.
- Camp Del Corazon in Santa Catalina Island, is a free camp specializing in children with heart disease or with a history of heart disease.
- Happy Adventure Summer Camp is a day program for severely developmentally disabled youth 5-18 from Santa Barbara, Carpinteria, & Ventura, California.
- Camp Costanoan, in Cupertino, serves disabled children and adults.
- The Quest Day Camp is a therapy day camp in Huntington Beach for kids ages 6 to 14. Campers may have diagnoses of Attention Deficit Disorder, learning disabilities, adjustment disorders, anxiety, depression, or self-esteem problems. Children with more complex problems are not appropriate for Quest.
- Christian Berets, in the Sierras, is a Christian camp that serves the disabled.
- Enchanted Hills Camp, in
Napa Valley, has sessions for children, adults and seniors who are blind or visually impaired. - Jay Nolan Camp, in Wrightwood, is an inclusive camp for children with and without developmental disabilities/autism.
- RESPITE: licenced family daycare provider, listed with the regional center, does out-of-home respite in Antioch, CA area. For more information email Bonnchie@AOL.com.
Colorado
- Adam’s Camp ,
Denver, State
Colorado. - Camp Nuhop, Divide, Colordao,
focuses on kids 6-16 with learning disabilities. - Easter Seals Colorado is
putting on their first national Roundtable called Outdoors
for All. One of the Roundtables is called Camps for Adults and
Children. The Roundtable will discuss how to meet the needs of campers
with disabilities. It is an opportunity for camp staff to ask questions
from experts. - Rocky
Mountain Village (Easter Seals) provides camping and respite for
children and adults with disabilities in Empire, CO. - The
National Sports Center for the Disabled in
Winter Park has several camps and other
activities throughout the year. - Success Oriented Achievement Realized
(SOAR) features success-oriented, high adventure camp programs for LD,
ADHD and ADD preteens, teens and adults. They hold programs in several
locations, including Colorado. - Children’s Hospital,
Denver, State
Colorado offers several camps for kids.
Their # is: 303/861-8888. - Boulder Valley
Schools, Boulder,
Colorado puts out a list
every Spring through their Special Education
Dept. of Summer Camps. Call Kathleen Anker at
303/447-1010, ext. 5155. - Adventure Peaks Expeditions for Kids,
in Beuna Vista, is not geared toward kids with
special needs, but they are happy to accommodate special needs campers.
They are not scheduling camps for 2004, but check back for 2005 and
beyond.
Hawaii
- Surfer’s Healing runs surfing
camps for autistic children in Waikiki.
Idaho
- Mikylar’s
World is a way of life and a rural residential choice for people with disabilities.
The focus is to expand their world and experiences, helping them maximize
their potential to lead more fulfilling lives.
New
Mexico
- “Horse and Duck Camp” is for bi-polar children to come with a parent, for therapy involving horses and other animals, principally ducks, at a small ranch in northern New Mexico (Abiquiu). The children sleep in tipis and tents and the camp has a staff of three. One
session each summer. For more information, email Guil or at 505.685.4629.
Oregon
- Camp Quality, in Eugene, is a summer camping experience and year-round support program for children with cancer.
- Mother Oak’s child,
a program of Willamette Valley Hospice,
provides opportunities for children and families to learn about the
grieving process and teaches children the tools for coping with loss, all
in a comfortable and fun outdoor environment. For more information call:
Kim Bickler at 503.763.2324.
Utah
- Easter
Seal’s Utah runs a summer day camp for kids 5-21 of all abilities.
They also conduct a school-year day camp in
Salt Lake on alternating Saturdays
and between Christmas and New Years Days.
Washington
- Name
Washington State Directory of
Summer Camps and Programs For Children with Special Health Care Needs,
Center for Children with Special Needs. - Easter Seals, WA, holds both
a residential
summer camp a respite program.
Wyoming
- Success Oriented Achievement Realized
(SOAR) features success-oriented, high adventure camp programs for LD,
ADHD and ADD preteens, teens and adults. They hold programs in several
locations, including Wyoming.
Camps in Canada
Alberta
- Camp
Bonaventure (aka Camp “B”) is part
of the Between Friends Club
which provides quality social and recreational opportunities in an
accepting environment, focusing on children and young adults with
disabilities.
British
Columbia
- Zajac Ranch
runs a variety of camps for kids with challenges and life threatening
illnesses. - The British Coumbia Lions Society
sponsors three free camps for children with disabilities ages 6 – 18, who
live in British Columbia: Camp Shawnigan(Vancouver
Island), Camp
Squamish (outside of Vancouver) and Camp Winfield
(in the Okanagan Valley). They have a number of
different week long sessions available,
registration begins in the beginning of April. Contact info@lionsbc.ca, or phone
1-888-868-2822, for more information.
Ontario
- Check out the Ontario Camping Association’s page
for Special Needs Camps
for a listing of camps in Ontario
(too many to list here). - Ability Camp is a year round,
residential therapy camp. - Camp Winston supports individuals
with neurological disorders. Located on Sparrow
Lake in
Ontario. - Muskoka
Respite provides respite for special needs kids in the Muskoka region. - Shadow Lake Centre, in Stouffville, provides summer camping and year round
weekend respite for children and adults with intellectual disabilities. - Camp Kennebec,
in Arden,
is an integrated summer residence for children with ADD, ADHD, learning
disabilities, behavioural needs, and mainstream
campers. - Camp Kodiak offers a unique,
integrated, non-competitive program for LD, ADD/ADHD & mainstream kids
and teens. - Camp Kiatou
offers wilderness therapy and emotional growth therapy for at-risk teens. - The Tim Horton
Children Foundation sponsors several camps for special needs children
in several locations throughout
Canada. them at 905 854
1999, or write them at 10206 Guelphi,
Campbellville,
Ontario, Canada
L0P1B0.
Prince
Edward Island
- Camp
Gencheff
is a camp for children, teens and adults with physical and developmental
disabilities in Prince Edward Island, country-region
Canada.
For more information, email
Jodi, or phone: (902)569-2669.
Camps in Central America
Belize
- Success Oriented Achievement Realized
(SOAR) features success-oriented, high adventure camp programs for LD,
ADHD and ADD preteens, teens and adults. They hold programs in several
locations, including Belize.
Costa Rica
- Success Oriented Achievement Realized
(SOAR) features success-oriented, high adventure camp programs for LD,
ADHD and ADD preteens, teens and adults. They hold programs in several
locations, including Costa
Rica.
Camps in Greece
- Therapeutic Holidays, is a charitable organisation
providing healing holidays to people with mental or physical
disabilities/disorders in Crete.
Therapeutic Riding, Animal Care, Trekking and Ergotherapy
are just a few of the activities the holidaymakers are getting involved.
Potentially Useful Links
- Internet
Resources for Special Children. - Developmental Delay Registry.
- Autism Society of America
- On-Line Asperger’s
Syndrome Information and Support. - ASPEN of America.
- REACH is a program at Johns Hopkin University that conducts studies aimed at early diagnosis and treatment of autism.
- ADD Helpline, a non-profit organization for parents and educators dealing with ADD/ADHD maintains a list of camps.
The information above has been republished from http://wmoore.net/therapy.html in accordance with Creative Commons License .
November 21, 2006
Make or Convert a Toy for Special Needs Kids- Make Your Own Adaptive Toys
Here an engineer and programmer, Brad Whaley, offers advice on how to adapt commercial toys for adaptive use – he states on his site that any toy that uses a battery can be converted to using a switch for special needs use.
Adaptive switches can be activated to set off the toy. On Brad’s web site, Science Shareware, he gives instructions on adapting a battery operated Bob the Builder Toy and pedal for electric train.
You do need a working knowledge of electronics- I have limited knowledge and found the instructions easy to follow. If you get stuck or need help he invites people to email him with questions.
November 15, 2006
Popular Toys that Have Been Adapted for Special Needs Children
Toys manufacturers are responding to the need for toys and games for special needs kids- you can now buy popular toys that have been modified slightly so that children with special needs can play. The site Enabling Devices has the usual switches and communicators but they also carry a wide variety of mainstream toys that have been adapted for use for children with disabilities, in particular children with cerebral palsy.
They offer such classics as Barbie, stacking toys, bubble toys, games, blocks and large selection of remote controlled figures.
Some of their most popular toys:
Hungry Hippos
Adapted game has 2 paddles attached to the Hippos for easy activation. Just simply bang away and watch as the Hippos race to gobble up as many marbles as possible. A great game to play with friends or family. Easy and tons of fun.
They recently added adaptive Play-Doh Fuzzy Pumper ( which uses a switch) to their extensive catalogue.
Classic See and Say toy that has been adapted, the toy has been mounted on a base and angled for easy access. With the adapted T-shaped handle, kids can easily activate the messages. Just point the arrow and pull the handle. Flip the page to choose more animals. It teaches your child about 16 different animals and features two unique flipping pages. The toy plays “Farmer in the Dell” and there is a new quiz mode, easy to mount on tabletops with a clamp.
Adaptive PlayStation controller for Sony PlayStation video game console
Dragon Fly Toys also has a fair amount of of toys for children with special needs and worth checking out.
