kicked out of day camp today . . .

iVillage Member
Registered: 04-15-2004
kicked out of day camp today . . .
8
Tue, 07-19-2005 - 7:21pm

Hi All!

Well, it's been a frustrating day! The director of day camp had some concerns yesterday with Joel (his first day of camp) and today she was definitely not happy! They don't want him to come back without a one-on-one aide (I'm guessing that would be me!) This is the same day camp, at a church down the street from us, that he's been to for 4 years. But this year the director told EVERYONE Joel has Aspergers. I wonder how putting a label on him justified the way others treat him?

I am feeling very sad and frustrated! It's going to be a long summer with him home all the time. I wounder if I can get my registration fees back?

Paula G and Joel (a charming, intelligent 9 yo, with ASD, impulsivity and anxiety)

iVillage Member
Registered: 09-15-2003
Tue, 07-19-2005 - 11:18pm

Paula,

That sounds completely obnoxious to me. I am so sorry for you. What a terrible attitude for CHURCH daycamp to have. When will folks learn to value diverstiy? Think of the lesson this teaches the other campers. Fit the mold or else.

Could you possibly pay a teenager to help out with him? Is your son upset or did he enjoy himself? If he was happy but just took up too much attention, perhaps a teenager aide would do the trick. They need some educating about Asperger's....that's for sure. I would certainly expect a full refund!!

Chrissy

iVillage Member
Registered: 06-25-2003
Wed, 07-20-2005 - 12:12am

((((Paula)))))

That just stinks.

Do you think you could go to the SD and request an aide? It's worth a try; -unless you don't want to send him back there now, which is totally understandable.

I am truly sorry. Some people just don't have a clue.

-Paula R.

-Paula

visit my blog at www.onesickmother.com
iVillage Member
Registered: 02-24-2005
Wed, 07-20-2005 - 1:05am
Yikes!!! Are you kidding me? Definitey deserve a refund. Makes you wonder if disclosing dx is always a good thing. But if you don't then your child might be reprimanded for something they can't help...catch-22. I let the optometrist know the other day so when Chase didn't attend to questions or seemed anxious he would know, and the guy looked at me like I was from Mars or something. It's what causes grey hair and wrinkles, oh and anti-depressants. Sorry you had to go through this, Paula. vicky
Avatar for cathby
iVillage Member
Registered: 05-16-2003
Wed, 07-20-2005 - 6:52am

I'm sorry, Paula.

I think the idea of sending him with a teenager (a cool guy) is a good one -- if you want him there. I sent Jack to camp last year with one (he was just 3). BUT I still don't like how they told everyone about Joel's dx. I think after you decide, a few words with the director are in order. And if you decide to pull him -- demand every penny back.

Cathy

P.S. When I took Jack to a music class, another student's mom (Jack's pre-school teacher whom I had permitted to observe him in his special ed class) had told the teacher stuff and she was all excited to talk to me. I felt violated.

iVillage Member
Registered: 10-24-2003
Wed, 07-20-2005 - 8:46am

You definately should get any fees you paid back - they are ones refusing to allow them to participate and they did not tell you at the time of registration that he would need a one-on-one aid.


My son, Jake (11 - PDD-NOS) goes to our town day camp.

Pat

Happiness is a conscious choice, not an automatic response. --

iVillage Member
Registered: 12-24-2004
Wed, 07-20-2005 - 10:49am

Paula,

So sorry to hear about the camp experience. Not that it would help much, but my son, Cassian, would be kicked out of any camp that wasn't run by the public school system, and he certainly couldn't go to camp without a one-on-one aide. I think you should definately try to get your money back. Two days is not a significant part of the summer session to require you to pay a fee.

Suzi

iVillage Member
Registered: 04-15-2004
Wed, 07-20-2005 - 11:59pm

Thanks Everyone!

I feel better today. Just needed a shoulder to cry on. Somedays having a spectrum kid is so overwhelming!

I chated with a nice lady at Parents Helping Parents and she pointed me toward some other resources, so I'll look into those. Meanwhile we'll just take it a day at a time. I guess the best part of having him with me is I won't get any phone calls asking me to come pick him up, have a conference, etc.

Thanks again for your supportive words!

Paula G.

iVillage Member
Registered: 03-26-2003
Thu, 07-21-2005 - 5:40pm

Some good resources I think everyone should know about are the boys and girls clubs, YMCA, and "Kids Included Together". I am not sure if KIT is nation wide but I certainly hope so. They provide aides and help teach programs like Boys and GIrls Club and YMCA how to work with kids with differences. It is a great program. I haven't taken advantage yet because I stay home, the distance from here (the ones with this program is 20 minutes away), our schedule, and the cost for 4 kids, lol.

I know here the boys and girls club has an inclusion program for kids with disabilities. If the child is a regional center client they can also get an aide. It is very low cost.

Hopefully you have found some good resources. I have having a similar but different issue at this time, but I shall post about that separately.

Renee

Photobucket