The Shafer Center to Host Two Summer Programs for Children with Autism

The Shafer Center for Early Intervention will be offering two innovative summer program options for children on the autism spectrum who are not enrolled in the Center’s 12-month program. Best Buds Summer Day Camp, serving children ages 3 to 8 years old, and Camp Connect XYZ™, serving children ages 6 to 14 years old, will provide educational services for children with autism whose traditional schooling is not offered during the summer months. Both programs combine educational and recreational activities, while providing individualized and customized summer camp programming for each student.

Best Buds Summer Day Camp is a fun-filled, education-packed day camp, running from June 23 to July 25, 2014 at The Shafer Center in Owings Mills, Md. The comprehensive program combines special education, speech-language pathology, occupational therapy and applied behavior analysis. The program targets the development of:

·         Symbolic play skills

·         Social-pragmatic language skills

·         Expressive and receptive language skills

·         Fine and gross motor skills

·         Visual motor skills

The Best Buds Summer Day Camp integrates recreational activities, including playground and water play, arts and crafts, and group games. The Shafer Center offers the following three day camp options: full day from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.; extended day from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.; and half day from either 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. or 12 p.m. to 3 p.m.

Camp Connect XYZ™ is an extension of The Shafer Center’s reading comprehension program, with the goal of helping children ages 6 to 14 years old close the gap between reading performance and potential. Children will receive 3 hours of individual reading instruction each day, with targeted sensory integration and social skill development. Recreational activities, including swimming, rock climbing, art and drama, and various field trips offer an exciting learning environment for students. Camp Connect XYZ™ will be held at the Park School of Baltimore from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. between June 23 and August 15, 2014.

“For children on the autism spectrum, year-round consistency is important to the development of critical social and language skills,” said Helen Shafer, Founder and President of The Shafer Center. “The Shafer Center is unique because we offer year-round programming. Our summer programs combine learning and fun while supporting the individual needs of each child’s development.”

Spaces for Best Buds Summer Day Camp and Camp Connect XYZ™ are limited. Parents interested in enrolling their child for Best Buds Summer Day Camp must register by April 1, 2014 to ensure a spot. To register for a summer program contact Alanna Ditman at 410-517-1113 or by email at Alanna.Ditman@ShaferCenter.com.

The Shafer Center for Early Intervention is located in Owings Mills, Md. Children at The Center range in age from two to eight years old. The Shafer Center also provides off-site intervention services for children well into their adolescent years. The Maryland Department of Education has accredited The Shafer Center for Early Intervention as a non-public school.

About
The Shafer Center for Early Intervention knows that being the parent of a child with special needs can be challenging. By being a central resource for families seeking education, assessment and treatment, The Shafer Center replaces fear and uncertainty with hope and knowledge. The Center’s unique approach and methods improve a child’s opportunity to succeed, and in turn, make it a rewarding experience for the entire family. The Shafer Center for Early Intervention accomplishes this by integrating three vital components that make its programs the optimal choice for treating children with autism spectrum disorders:

·         A Whole-Child Approach

·         A Multi-Disciplinary Team

·         A Focus on Maintenance and Generalization of Skills

For more information about The Shafer Center for Early Intervention and its unique environment, visit the Center’s website at www.ShaferCenter.com.