Summer Camps for Special Needs Children

With summer fast approaching, many parents of special needs children are seeking summer activities and camps.  Dr. Robert Melillo, founder of the Brain Balance Program, was recently quoted in an article published in the Cincinnati Parent, “All-Inclusive Summer Camps for Children with Special Needs“.  

“You really have to look at what the specific child’s problem is and get something that is tailored toward that,” he says. “To get the most out of [summer camp] tailor it toward the child’s weaknesses. A lot of people will say look at a child’s strengths and tailor to the strengths. We say look at weaknesses and tailor to that.” His philosophy stems from brain balance, meaning to exercise or stimulate the weaker or lesser developed side of the brain in kids with neurobehavioral disorders in order to achieve a more balanced brain.

As an example, he says that the typical child with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) or Asperger’s syndrome is brilliant but lacks social skills. “If you send them to a camp that focuses on computers, then they will never learn social skills because they will be with the same types of kids. The child will love being there but it will not help their problem.” Instead, he says parents should choose a summer program that will help train their child so when they go to school the next year they will engage better. He adds, “It still needs to be fun and not something that pushes the child too hard so the child will develop skills and have fun at the same time.” 

Please share your special needs camp experiences by leaving a comment!  What did your child enjoy the most about his/her camp?  What positive influences did you see?  What reservations did or do you have when enrolling your child in a summer program?

Tagged as: ADD/ADHD, Asperger's, autism, Disconnected Kids, Dr. Robert Melillo