OU CARES Autism Event Empowers Families
(Crystal A. Proxmire, March 19, 2016)
Auburn Hills, MI – What gives me joy? Where do I fit in? Where do I belong?
These are the three questions that Beth Kimmel of Autism-Ask.com wants the youth and adults in any of the ASK programs to consider when making choices as a person on the Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) Spectrum.
“We don’t look at it as a disability so much as we focus on how have you been successful,” Kimmel said. “We try to help create a setting that works for you so you can learn to be more brave.”
Autism-ASK was one of over 50 service providers for the ASD community at the annual Oakland University Center for Autism – Outreach (OUCARES) Family Fun Day. The event gives a nice balance between resources and family activities in a comfortable environment.
Kimmel shared a table with Brett Marshall of Game Crazy Academy, a business that does fun gaming related events for kids. They go to schools; they do birthday parties; they have special events – all with technology at the heart. A particular favorite are events that teach kids how to code, a skill that some with ASD really enjoy.
“We have a variety of activities and I think adding this will give some technology skills, skills that can help in employment,” Kimmel said.
Woodside Bible Church in Troy had representatives on hand to talk about Special Needs Ministry. Abigail Wasil talked about a Bible class that is low sensory, a special needs choir and groups for kids, teens and adults. She said that about 40-60 adults participate in the adult class, and they do activities like doing skits, having game night and doing prayer requests. Special needs programs are offered at the Troy and White Lake locations, and soon at the Lake Orion location.
When asked why these programs were important to her, Wasil said “I really have a passion for it, really being the hands and feet of Jesus – love everyone, don’t exclude anyone. Everyone is so fun and so loving. It’s very joyous.”
Something that seemed to be exciting for parents and kids were the number of summer camp options that were present at the fair.
At Skyline Camp in Almont kids get to enjoy a traditional camp experience but with the support they need to feel comfortable. “Some of these kids get picked on in school, but here they are with their peers so they feel more energy. They get to know each other and they shine,” said Skyline Director Shana Henry.
Henry recalled a boy who had come to camp last year. “He was a nonverbal guy, but we had this talent show and he got up and he sang this song ‘be our guest, be our guest.’ It was great to see him do that. It’s just such a safe space.”
For Joe McDaniel, a program coordinator at Camp Tall Tree in Fenton, the reward of summer camp is “confidence.”
“Confidence is the biggest,” he said. “The benefit of traditional camp are the teachable moments that happen naturally.” Camp Tall Tree has three age level camps. In the “Transition into Adulthood” camp that McDaniels works on, the day is spent half in traditional camp activities and the other half are learning activities. “They do things like cooking, planning, and job shadowing. So they learn how to self-list and how to set up steps to getting things done.”
He said that the level of homesickness is about the same in any group of kids, whether they have special needs or not. “Everyone is anxious the first day – the kids and the staff. But about half way in the second day everyone sort of takes a breath at the same time and we all sort are okay with it. And it’s a very unifying experience that we’re all here, we’re all going through camp together.”
OU CARES, who hosted the event, offers over 40 programs and 10 summer camps serving children and adults with ASD. There are free and low cost programs including recreation, sports, life skills, money management, fun clubs, social skills programs, ABA clinics and training, counseling and more.
Kristen Rohrbeck, OU CARES Director, said the program helps over 2,500 individuals a year and that the annual Fun Day attracts about 500 families. “We want people to enjoy life and to be themselves,” she said.
For more on OU CARES, including a resource list, visit their website at http://wwwp.oakland.edu/oucares/.