http://www.bonitanews.com/03/06/bonita/d870846a.htm

Day camp for autistic children helps break through disorder's barriers

Wednesday, June 25, 2003

By STACIE MEIHAUS, sameihouse@naplesnews.com

Mikie Mitchell sat at lunch at Camp Sunrise last week, munching on chicken nuggets from McDonalds.

With reminders from camp workers, he looks people in the eye to say thank you, and when he wanted more sauce, he walked to the main table to get it himself.

Team leader Brett Spencer helps out Ben Henry, 12, of Naples, during a gymnastics outing Friday at Gymnastics World in North Naples. Ben, who has autism, was participating in Camp Sunrise, a two-week long program that offers opportunities for kids with autism. Dan Wagner/Staff

When another camper tells him his mom is coming, Mikie's face lights up in a smile as he turns to see her as she approaches the picnic tables. He then turns back to his lunch without a wave or a greeting.

Mikie is 12 years old and was diagnosed with autism when he was 18 months old. Through intensive therapy, Mikie has made strides against the disorder. While he has some schooling in a contained classroom, he also takes physical education, lunch and art with the other students.

Camp Sunrise is a day camp held last week for autistic children. This is the fourth year for the summer camp. The camp, based at The Vineyards in North Naples, has gained momentum in its existence, growing from 21 campers the first year to 52 campers this year.

Autism is a developmental disability which results from a neurological disorder. While doctors aren't sure exactly what causes autism, the disorder often manifests itself through problems with communication and social interaction, according to the Autism Society of America. Autism is four times more prevalent boys than girls, but doesn't have a correlation to any sociological or economic group.

Playing doesn't necessarily come naturally to children with autism, so much of the camp is spent on playing. Campers sometimes don't interact well with other campers, and when connections are made, it can be thrilling to camp workers.

Team leader Heather McElroy has fun with campers on the trampoline. Campers without disabilities act as role models for the children with autism. Dan Wagner/Staff

"We saw a camper with his arm around his buddy," said North Naples resident Anne Allen, the camp's program director, with a smile. "It's special when you see that interaction."

Simple interaction, even the desire to be around other children, may not be present with autistic children. Mikie's levels of interaction have recently heightened, much to his mother's delight.

"Especially over the last year and a half, something has clicked with him. He wants to be with other kids," said Marisa Mitchell, Mikie's mother. Mitchell helps out at the camp.

Mitchell, who lives in North Naples, recently went with Mikie to a retreat with Naples Methodist Church.

"He started playing with these kids, and I'm over there crying," she said.

Mary, Mikie's 10-year-old sister, is a peer helper at the camp. During the week, Mary was placed with a camper with autism, and the two played together.

"I play with her. She likes to jump rope mostly," Mary said. Social interaction worked between the two girls — the camper often called Mary her best friend.

Autism often takes effect very quickly. Children might suddenly start to regress in speech patterns or possibly stop listening or seeming to hear, although hearing is in the normal range.

"You start out with a normal child and then you lose them," Mitchell said. "Autism is so devastating. Some of them may improve. Some of them won't."

Autism also affects children in different ways.

"If you've seen one child with autism, you've really only seen one child with autism. It manifests itself so differently," Allen said.

Carl Brandy, 8, of Naples, leaps into a pile of foam during Friday's gymnastic outing. Carl, who does not have autism, is a "peer buddy" for the campers with autism. Dan Wagner/Staff

Mitchell said that when Mikie was first diagnosed with autism, she couldn't find a book about the disorder — information was that hard to come by. Now, information is more readily available and Mitchell said she has noticed a wider community awareness of the disease.

Awareness has been helped by the John Maxwell Biasco Foundation for Children with Autism, an information center about autism that helps with the camp. There are branches in Naples and at Florida Gulf Coast University.

The camp, Mitchell said, is a great help for autistic children's parents, who often need a respite from the daily stresses of dealing with the disorder. Mitchell said autistic children usually need structure, and when the structured school day gives way to the summer, it can be hard for parents.

"He's up at the crack of dawn asking to go. It gives parents a lot of joy to be able to see their children happy at camp," she said. "It's going to be hard when it's over, because he's going to get up on Monday morning and want to go to camp."

At camp, the children are grouped by age, which is sometimes different for them. At school, autistic children often are grouped by their developmental age, which is not necessarily the same as their chronological age.

Sitting in their groups at the lunch tables, the campers were well-behaved and not terribly raucous. Allen said the structure and expectations of the camp staff led the campers to be well-behaved.

"When your expectations are high and you give them these opportunities to be involved in day to day situations, we find they do very well," she said.

Contact Staff Writer Stacie Meihaus at 213-6026 or sameihouse@naplesnews.com.

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