Teen Camp Programs
Learn more about Watson! Watch Watson's informational video! Camp STAT A therapeutic summer camp program for adolescents with Asperger’s disorder/high functioning autism The Summer Therapeutic Activities for Teens (STAT) program of The Watson Institute is specifically-designed for adolescents with Asperger’s disorder and high-functioning autism. The program focuses on the development of social competencies and includes both therapeutic and recreational components. Appropriate candidates need to have the ability to benefit from verbally based intervention methods.
Daily activities include social skills training, therapeutic activities, outdoor recreation time, computer time, indoor and tabletop games and activities, weekly community outings, field trips, and weekly trips to a local community swimming pool. We will also have daily use of the Watson gym and Life Skills facilities. Teens will make use of the Life Skills facility by preparing some of their own lunches in our kitchen.
Parents, school personnel, and community service providers collaborate in developing detailed goals and objectives for each teen’s social skills program. Specially trained staff provides individualized programming for each teen, teaching social interactions, social communication skills, coping skills, emotional regulation, problem solving skills, and behavioral competencies through facilitated participation in age-appropriate activities and community outings.
Selection Criteria Children are being selected for the Camp STAT program based on several factors, including the availability of appropriate slots. Children who attended the camp program in the previous years are given first preference. Preference is also given to children currently receiving wraparound services or educational services through The Watson Institute, as well as to children who have been on the waiting list previously. Geographic factors, age, and sex of the child often must be considered, since we may have an opening develop in a particular group of a particular camp site. Therefore, it sometimes happens that children who are far down on the waiting list may be offered a slot. For more information about Camp STAT, please call Daryl Ault at (412) 749-2889 or (866) 893-4751 ext. 2889 or via e-mail to daryla@thewatsoninstitute.org. Decision Timeframe After we have hired sufficient qualified staff to cover children returning to the program, we begin to notify families if we are able to add additional children. We continue attempting to recruit staff through the spring. We can generally let families know where they fall on the waiting list and what the chances for acceptance will be by mid March. Submission Materials If you are interested in having your child participate in the Camp STAT program this summer you can download, complete and return via fax or mail the CAMP STAT APPLICATION or request a paper version be sent to you by calling 412-749-2889. Completed paper forms should be sent to: The Watson Institute Fax: 412-741-0855 Please include with the application a copy of your child’s IEP, most recent psychological and educational, and speech/language evaluations, and any other pertinent documents offering relevant information about your child. This information will be reviewed during the selection process.
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