OUCARES camps boost life skills for youth with autism

The Oakland University Center for Autism Research Education and Support (OUCARES) is introducing Life Skills Summer Camps for 10- to 13-year-olds with high-functioning autism, Asperger's and other pervasive developmental disorders.

Camp Meadows will run in four sessions between mid-June and early August, and will offer fun activities focused on a variety of life skills, including:

• practical living skills – clothing care, menu planning, grocery shopping and cooking;
• interpersonal skills – initiative, dependability, anger management, conflict resolution, self-esteem, social skills and self-confidence, and;
• personal management skills – money management, time management and personal health care.

Daily activities will include preparing breakfast and lunch, exercising, practicing personal hygiene and tending to clothing. Team-building activities will include starting a microbusiness to build employable skills, and field trips within the community will allow participants to practice new life skills learned at camp.

The camps will take place from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. weekdays at Meadows School in Rochester Hills. Sessions will run June 17-28, July 1-12 with no camp July 4-5, July 15-26 and July 29 through Aug. 9. The cost is $600 per two-week session.

All Camp Meadows campers must be assessed prior to camp. Assessment appointments will be made once registration information is received.

To register for a life skills camp or learn more about OUCARES, visit oakland.edu/oucares or contact a representative at oucares@oakland.edu.

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