Oliver* has been a Camp Kirk camper since 2009. He has a multiple
diagnosis ranging from a Learning Disability to Attention Deficit
Disorder and Autism Spectrum Disorder.
For most of his life, Oliver
has been unable to make friends and/or enjoy the pleasures of peer
interactions because of his difficulties and his lack of basic social skills.
Oliver can be very explosive and has had a history of aggressive
behavior in the past, which in fact, prevented him from returning to
camp in the summer of 2012.
However, his strong desire to return to
camp drove him to modify his behavior and he resolved to have a
successful session at camp this past summer.
Well, what a success story he was. He totally changed his attitude overall and took the
approach of “I can do this…” and did whatever was needed to learn
things like: throwing a baseball, a football, playing group games,
showing empathy towards others etc… all skills that will make it easier
for him to be a part of a group and enjoy friendships for the first time
in his life.
It was incredible to watch.
* Names have been changed to protect the privacy of individuals and their families.
