For many children on the autism spectrum, a bustling summer day camp can feel overwhelming. But for 8-year-old Jamal, our Day Camp turned unfamiliar chaos into a place of belonging and growth.

Understanding Jamal’s Needs

Before camp began, our clinical team met Jamal and his parents to create a customized “sensory profile.” We learned that loud noises triggered his anxiety, and transitions without warnings caused meltdowns. Armed with this insight, counselors crafted a “Quiet Hour” in the morning where Jamal could engage in sensory-friendly activities—think weighted blankets and puzzle stations—until he felt ready to join the main group.

Structured Choice and Self-Advocacy

A core part of our Day Camp philosophy is “choice architecture”: offering children control over their schedule in predictable ways. Jamal received a laminated choice card each afternoon with three options—art, nature walk, or group game—and a counselor by his side to support decision-making. This empowered Jamal to advocate for himself (“I want art today!”) and reduced stress around transitions.

Building Friendships Through Shared Interests

Once Jamal felt comfortable with his routine, counselors introduced “Interest Buddies”: pairing campers by shared passions. Jamal, a budding meteorologist, connected instantly with another camper who loved watching storm-chasing videos. Together they built a cardboard “weather station,” sparking laughter, collaboration, and new friendships that endured long after the season ended.

Parental Feedback and Home-School Transfer

By Week 4, Jamal was happily navigating group snack time and even led a mini-presentation on tornado safety during our “Family Fridays.” His mom tearfully shared: “He comes home excited about what he made and who he talked to. He’s even explaining his day in detail now!” Teachers noted his improved tolerance for group activities and smoother transitions, attributing much of the progress to strategies we shared at a parent-training workshop.

Key Takeaways

• Personalized Sensory Supports pave the way for camp success.
• Structured Choice fosters independence and reduces anxiety.
• Peer Pairing around interests builds genuine social connections.