By Marco Damiani, YAI Network’s Senior Director of Clinical and Family Services

Michael L. and Michael Y. are best friends. They share more than just the same name; they share books in their Staten Island classroom, a love of swimming, playing outside and telling jokes. And the ten-year-olds have something else in common: they both have autism.

For the past four summers, Michael and Michael have attended the YAI Network’s Mainstreaming at Camp (MAC) program, a collaboration with the Frost Valley YMCA, in New York’s Catskill Mountains. Since 1988, MAC has offered inclusive camping opportunities to children with disabilities.  Campers between the ages of 6 and 18 lived in cabins with the support of specially trained counselors, and enjoyed the full range of activities alongside their typically-developing peers.

In summer 2010, Michael and Michael had a slightly different experience in the MAC program. They participated in an autism pilot program at the camp designed to incorporate autism interventions into everyday camp activities.

The program was developed by a team of professionals: Dr. Charles Cartwright, Director of the YAI Autism Center, Joe Medler, Assistant Coordinator of YAI Camping and Travel, and Becky Lewin, Occupational Therapist and YAI Clinical Consultant. Six boys on the autism spectrum, ages 8-12, shared a cabin and enjoyed activities which incorporated clinical interventions and evidence-based best practices for working with children with autism.

Lewin worked with MAC counselors to emphasize communication, socialization and greater independence within the cabin. A simple visual schedule resonated with the campers, helping them understand what activities were planned for the day. Lewin also introduced several sensory tools with positive results, such as teaching calming techniques with a squeeze ball and kaleidoscope.

“The sensory tools helped us better meet the kids’ needs in a way that naturally integrates into the structure of camp,” Lewin said.

She collected her observations about each camper on the spectrum and prepared a written report for parents about which skills emerged and what parents could work on to help their child.

Another unique component of the pilot program was a research-based LEGO® activity in which MAC campers and typically-developing campers worked together in small groups with the popular childhood building toys.

LEGO® Therapy was developed more than 15 years ago and has been found to provide structure and reinforce socialization skills for children with autism. LEGO® Therapy has been evaluated in research studies conducted by Daniel LeGoff, Ph.D., and a replication study completed at Cambridge University in England under the supervision of autism expert Simon Baron-Cohen, Ph.D.

“We took evidence-based scientific practice and successfully implemented it into the real world,” Dr. Cartwright said. “[Campers] were engaged in an activity they really enjoyed and they were communicating with one another to achieve their common goal: the objects they built. It just took off and was a phenomenal success.”

MAC counselor, Ryan Balker, noted the impact of the LEGO® activities, “Each day, you can really see a change in thought process,” he said. “Campers stopped asking for help and began to problem solve independently. It was remarkable.”

But it was not just camp staff who noticed changes in the campers. 

Kirsten, Michael Y.’s mother, said of the autism pilot program, “Michael got to socialize with typically developing kids from other cabins. Since returning from camp, he has been far more open to interacting with other children.” She added, “The focus on occupational therapy was tremendously supportive in helping both boys develop routines.”

Mary agreed with Kirsten, and said of her son Michael L.’s experience, “There’s no stress about being alone, so all of his energy and focus can go into activities and socializing. It’s great practice for functioning in society because the kids are coexisting, and that’s the way real life is.”

“From the moment I decided to send Michael to MAC, I’ve never regretted or doubted it – not for one moment,” Mary added. “Both boys are already counting the days until next summer!”