East Bay camp for 7-year-old with LD and social skills defect

I am looking for a one/two week summer camp or program for my 7 year old son. He has been diagnosed with non-verbal learning disabilities, primarily social skills deficit. He as ADHD as well. If you know of or have experience with any East Bay social skills or NLD programs, your input would be valued. Previous posts mentioned the UC Berkeley program at Strawberry Canyon, but this camp is for 3rd graders and older. Anne

The summer camp is in Alamo, which is a drag for working parents this side of the tunnel, but I have to say it was absolutely worth all of the driving and schedule juggling. We have since found a family to carpool with (families come from all over the Bay Area), and the afterschool program fortunately has an Oakland site.

They require a minimum 3 week attendance, which is what we did. It's quite expensive, and no financial aid (at least as of last year), and the only way I was able to do it was with significant help from my parents. But again, if it's at all possible, it's worth every penny. My son absolutely blossomed during his time there; the transformation was quite striking. I'm happy to answer any questions you may have about the camp. My son also has social skills deficits, and suffers from depression and some ADHD symptoms. There are children there with a very wide range of issues/disabilities. Emily

Camp for 10-y-o with depression with psychotic features

This will be our first summer since our ten-year-old daughter's diagnosis of clinical depression with psychotic features. She is beginning to see some relief from symptoms and is medication- compliant and she gets to all of her therapy appointments. However, she hasn't been able to be at school for more than an hour or so--stress seems to bring on episodes.

Generally our daughter has attended various day camps during the summer break. I am a working mom and my income is crucial to our family's ability to pay for housing. This year I am becoming anxious about whether I will be able to work, due to our daughter's special mental health needs. For example, I just looked into one of the camp programs publicized in BPN, and it looks iffy: ''Requirement to Disclose Special Needs Whether Professionally Diagnosed or Not: Prior to or at time of registration, parents/wards are responsible for notifying us of a special need, whether officially diagnosed or not (ie. attention or communication disorders or if school teachers have spoken to you with concerns about your child's consistent disruptive behavior in a group setting). These disclosures do not necessarily preclude your child's participation in camp. Dismissal from Camp: There are rare times when we must dismiss a child due to behavioral problems that preclude a child from participating safely or effectively in a group. If a camper is dismissed for aforementioned reasons, there will be no refund for the unused, pre-registered days.''

I can't really risk our family's meager earnings on a camp that doesn't have the resources to deal with my child as she is now. Does anyone have a recommendation? anonymous, obviously

I am writing to tell you that your child has rights under the disability act regarding recreation programs. My son has a full time 1-on-1 aide at municipal camps/classes. They have to make their programs available to disabled kids. He also has a 1-on-1 at school. With each new school, they tell me no. I then put in writing that my child is a threat to himself and others. That does the trick - they can't risk it. Your neighborhood school is responsible for educating your child in the least restrictive environment which, for our kids, usually means a ft 1-on-1. If your child is only making it for one hour a day, her educational needs are not being met. Don't take this on by yourself - the school has responsibilities - write a letter to your school requesting an Individual Education Plan. Mental illness is a disability and a very lonely one for the parents. I'm sure you know what I mean.

Camp for Bipolar 7-yr.-old

Does anyone know of a summer day-camp program that can accommodate a bipolar child? There are many great days camps in the East Bay for non-bipolar/non-mood disorder children, but so far none that I have tried has had experienced enough counselors to handle my child's mood swings. My child desperately wants to have a successful social experience in a camp setting and not always be left out/thrown out of such opportunities. I should footnote that my means are limited. Thanks. WorkingMom

Summer Camp for Kids with Asperger's

Kaleidoscope Unlimited at Julia Morgan Center for the Arts was created in 2002 by a group of professionals dedicated to increasing access to arts participation for children with special needs. This fun and challenging two-week camp offers an exciting integrated arts curriculum, developed by artists, teachers and therapists for children with Asperger's Syndrome. Daily practice in social skills as well as fun outdoor activities round out the day for this arts-rich program. Campers will work with a lead teaching artist and participate in theater, dance, music and visual art sessions. Over the course of two weeks, we will work together to create a play from the Kaleidoscope Unlimited campers' original ideas. Camp dates: 8/16 - 8/27, Monday- Friday, 9am-2pm. Tuition: $ 575.00 Mention the Berkeley Parents Network and get 25.00 off the price of tuition! Call Melissa (510)845-8542 x301 for information and to register or go to www.juliamorgan.org

Most recreation programs should be designed to be suitable for children
with as well as without disabilities, IMHO.  To this end, I convinced the
City of Santa Cruz to provide aides, interpreters, or equipment -- anything
that's needed to make it possible for anyone to participate in any
recreation program they sponsor.  (This was pre-ADA.) Santa Cruz went on to
make many wonderful improvements in recreation programs and facilities.
I've just moved to Berkeley, and have been shocked how backwards things are
here, considering the town's reputation.

Anyway, I wanted to thank you for bringing up this issue in this forum. I'm
amazed that none of the brochures I've seen for programs indicate their
accessibility.

One of my children has CP, also, and is 15. How old is your son? Does he
attend school?  Have you had any trouble finding childcare?

Susan 

BANANAS (510 658-7101) and Family Resource Network have a handout of summer programs that welcome disabled kids. Some are just for kids with disabilities while some are integrated programs. My daughter, who is blind, enjoyed the Berkely-Albany YMCA summer program. I don't know where you live, but there also is a summer program just for kids with disabilities sponsored by the Walnut Creek Specialized Recreation division of their Parks and Rec Department- kids come from all over the bay area. My daughter (we live in Oakland) will be going for the first time next week. It's hours are 9-3:30 (no extended care).
See also: YMCA Programs