Summer camp for kids on the autism spectrum opens its doors

By Elaine Keogh
Today (Monday) a summer camp set up for children with special needs, by a mum of two children on the autism spectrum, opens its doors.

“We did not want our children, the most vulnerable in the community, to lose out. Other children, who do not have extra needs or special needs, can sign up to any summer camp they want without any second thoughts,” said Valerie Donovan.

Her two children have special needs and when she discovered there were over a dozen families living near her in East Meath who would not have the traditional ‘July provision’ activities for their children with special needs, she took things into her own hands.

“For some reason a lot of children with special needs like my daughter Sarah (7) who has Asperger’s and my son Matthew (4) who has Autism, have not been able to secure a place in July provision,” explained Valerie who lives in Laytown, county Meath.

“I'm on the committee of Julianstown Community Centre so I asked would they be willing to let me hold a summer camp there for one week in July.”

“They agreed and then I contact Meath Sports Partnership where there was amazing help. They are sponsoring the cost of getting trained staff in to work with the children.”

So far there is a Zumba teacher, a karate instructor, an art class in sensory clay modelling and a yoga teacher. “All of this is only possible thanks to Meath sports partnership,” Valerie said.

The partnership put her in touch with Tennis Ireland. Leinster rugby , the FAI and organisations for other sports including pitch and putt and gymnastics.

“As a result we have slots booked in for the children in rugby, gymnastics and I’m hoping of securing FAI involvement too.”

 

Paul’s Pet Parties will visit the camp as will ‘Olivia's Special Horses,’ who provide riding lessons for children with special needs. They will also give the parents and children a tour of their stables.

The children will also visit Dublin Zoo during their week of activities.

However Valerie is still hoping to secure additional funding to cover the costs of the different activities as, “we want to try and make this camp an affordable camp that is fun and inclusive.”
She says the demand for teachers to provide July provision, which keeps similar hours to a regular school day, far outstrips the number of teachers that are available.

Teacher are paid E35 an hour but “there aren't enough teachers getting involved to meet the demand.”

“So while it was initially set up to keep children in a routine, it's no longer having the same effect. I would like that funding to be available to parents who are providing an alternative or to sports bodies like the FAI or the GAA etc to put on dedicated camps for special children.'

“So far I have 15 children with either autism, ADHD or operational defiance disorder or sensory processing, coming. 8 children, who are their siblings, will also join in.”

“The parents will stay in the kitchen having lots of tea and cakes while still be on site for their children in case they are needed. “

The camp will be run from today (the 10th July) until this Friday the 14th and the positive response to it has prompted Valerie to organise a regular drop-in coffee morning in east Meath from September on.

“I want it to be a welcoming place for families to come talk to other parents going through a diagnoses and who can advise them on what they did. I often feel that in this country you get told you child has autism and then your sent on your way.”