Autism Speaks grant gives kids with autism amazing week at camp

The Lincoln Children’s Museum hosted a week-long Autism-Friendly summer camp funded by a grant from Autism Speaks!  This program was implemented at the museum to provide preschool and school-age children (3-5 years old & 6-15 years old) with Autism Spectrum Disorders the opportunity to partake in a camp alongside their neurotypical peers. 

To ensure that all campers could equally access the camp’s curriculum, each camper worked one-on-one with the museum’s staff, alongside a resource teacher and speech-language pathologist.  Additionally, campers were able to step out of the classroom as needed, to accommodate any sensory-related issues. 

Due to intensive prior preparation, the camp was an overall success!  All campers were able to attend all available field trips, including visiting the public library, museum of natural history, and a trip a local donut shop. 

It is safe to say that this event changed the Lincoln community.  Families with children on the spectrum had an opportunity to meet one another and were able to suggest how the Lincoln Children’s Museum could better serve the local autism community.  Additionally, other local organizations have teamed up with the Museum to ensure they can work together to introduce more events like this more often without conflict. 

Though events like this seem small, they really can bring a community closer, despite how much hard work they require.  One camper’s parents signed him up for the rest of the Museum’s summer events because of how much he enjoyed this summer camp.  Events that make the autism community feel immersed with the rest of the world are few and far between but make a world of a difference.

Please add your local organization’s sensory friendly events on our calendar here: https://www.autismspeaks.org/submit-type