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Autism camp gives kids a place where they 'belong'
6/13/2008 1:13 AM   0 comment(s) on this story E-mail this story to a friend



By ROB NOVIT

Senior writer

Alex Hansen, 7, is moving on to second grade at Millbrook Elementary School in the fall.

A few years ago he was diagnosed with autism but manages well in a regular classroom with the occasional help of a teaching assistant.

Like most kids with autism, Alex has to deal with communication issues. Last summer he attended Camp Puzzle Palooza, a weeklong day camp at Cedar Creek Church intended especially for kids with autism, as well as siblings and other children.

"I'm a normal kid at that camp," Alex told his mom, Jamie.

He's back at the camp this week, joined by his brother Kyle, 4. Alex is fascinated by fans and other things that spin and if he wants to sit and watch a fan at camp for a while, it's no big deal.

"They're having great fun," Jamie Hansen said of her sons. "They'll call their dad at work and talk to him for 30 minutes about all the things they're doing."

Nearly 30 children are participating in the program this year in the 3-12 age range. Heather Shuler, one of the camp instructors, is also the mother of Hampton, 5, a child with autism.

"It's an opportunity for him and the other kids to go to a camp where they feel like they belong," Shuler said. "He has really progressed well and is more comfortable about being here this year."

The camp also provides networking opportunities for the parents, so that they can discuss strategies and activities that work beset for their children. Columbia teacher Margie Lee has a self-contained class of kids with autism in grades 1-5. After she and Shuler met, Shuler invited Lee to spend a day at the camp in 2007 to demonstrate some appropriate activities. Lee enjoyed the visit so much that she returned to the camp this week to serve as an instructor.

"It's nice that the parents are so committed," said Lee, "in making sure that their children are able to have experiences like this."

Contact Rob Novit at rnovit@aikenstandard.com.

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