ACC’s social skills camp concludes

Counselors, campers and their families gathered at the Eagles Education Center recently in Fargo, to mark the conclusion of the first annual Social Skills Summer Day Camp, a program developed by the Anne Carlsen Center to help educate children with autism spectrum disorders.

The two-week day camp, held in the Prairie Heights Community Church Ministry Center, featured one-on-one counseling with trained Anne Carlsen Center staff, who administered specialized exercises focused on developing social skills and peer interaction within a traditional camp format.

Because of the disparities in need, each individual camper was assessed by the camp director to identify which skills required improvement. A daily communication log between camp staff and parents chronicled the campers’ progress, while a routine schedule of music, art, field trips, and assistive iPad technology ensured the experience was a fun one for the campers.

Among the banners, barbecue and artwork adorning the picnic tables on Thursday, counselors reflected on the strides their campers made in augmenting their social skills.

“Every kid I’ve seen has had a dramatic improvement in their social skills, and their parents can see it too,” said Dave Kemper, Anne Carlsen Center’s Autism Program coordinator.

Tags: community, education