Since I don't have an autistic child, today was the first time I've done any research into what is available in camps and therapy.
Today I discovered that there are camps for autistic/special needs children. There are boarding schools, wilderness programs, horse or elephant(? seriously, although I've not done more extensive checking into that area yet) therapy, autism summer camps, and Easter Seals camps. Apparently, one just has to start digging for the information.
Directories are available for finding camps, which isn't a bad idea. It's always a good idea to get feedback from other parents. Of course, do keep in mind that what is a terrible experience for one may not happen with another. It may be just a matter of seeing for yourself based on what one can afford and how manageable a trip to one of these camps would be.
As for the animal therapy, I have known of one mom who used horse therapy for her son. It was a great success. Animals have been taken into nursing homes to calm and comfort the elderly. Animals have been used in hospitals to provide uplifting for children under dire physical or emotional trauma.
Animal therapy can develop a bond between the child and the animal. Sometimes animals can reach children where humans cannot. Animals don't judge or criticize, and some of them have a tremendous amount of patience.
Animals can help autistic children develop abilities, provide comfort, uplift the emotions and the spirit, and help them develop more confidence and self-control among other things. It has more positives than I will ever know, but if any of you have experience with it...please share with the rest of us. It would be nice to read the personal success stories.
2 comments:
What a great info....thanks for that info..
This is a wonderful post! I was looking into speech therapy for Dakota with horses while we were in Green Bay. I had heard a lot of great things about the use of animals with speech. On the east coast there is an autism camp called DragonFly I think Reforestration Camp. Here in Wisconsin the Lions Club has an autism camp I believe. Dakota wasn't old enough to go other wise I would have sent him this year.
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