Retreat Weekend | Autism PDD
I am not sure of the training that the assistants go through, but they
are all college students who are studying majors such as social work,
psychology, education, etc. I know there is a training
program/orientation that they go through, I'm just not sure what it
entails. Any medical assistance was the family's responsibility
(for example, feeding tubes). We filled out a form beforehand
describing our children, their likes and dislikes, and their
personality types, so the assistant could be prepared for them.
And the kids loved going off with someone other than mom and dad for a
while. He came to our cabin as we were settling in and introduced
himself. Later, after opening ceremonies, the kids wanted to go
off to play, and he said he would be glad to take them (our shock - and
glee - at having respite time had not worn off yet). By that time
the kids had had a chance to settle in, they were fine with him.
I also forgot to mention that all program participants wore identical
shirts (parents and children) and wristbands to identify
themselves. The staff, including assistants, all wore identical
shirts of another color. I never saw a staff member not enjoying
the participants they were working with. I think they had as much
fun as we did, if that's possible.
How long was the orientation tho? I know with my two unless they have specific training in their diagnosis I wouldn't trust them with my two. And Gabe is very high maintenance. It would also depend on what kind of specific training they had too.
tammy
Im with you Tammy, Although I am so glad Zipper & Family had a wonderful time, I wouldnt trust anyone with my kids without really knowing them. And My kids wouldnt go with a stranger without getting to know them first. My son has a difficult time enough with a new teacher each year for school and he usually has seen the teacher around in the school knows her name and is (or was) in the same building as all the years before. Ok,Dad here. I need to chime in. Let's relax a little here. What we had here was a STRUCTURED, well planned weekend. True, we didn't know these people personally. However, I would liken the situation to dropping your kids off at a day care, which we also do. There were lots of people around to supervise the kids. This weekend was RESPITE, you know, the concept of giving parents with challenging children a break. I don't care if you're supermom or dad, we all need a break now and then.
It doesn't make someone a bad parent. This program has been going for a few years now and the kids had a great time, and I mean all the kids, not just ours. And we got to network with other parents with similar issues as ours. Win-Win all around. I wont' speak for any other parent or tell them how to raise their children, but this was a great program. But it may not be for everyone.
Also, we were not obligated to do anything that weekend. We spent Friday evening and part of Saturday morning doing things with the kids and getting to know the people there. I would definately take our kids again.
I posted earlier about an upcoming camping weekend my family had planned. The link is www.giftsretreats.com. I have to say it was WONDERFUL. The weekend is for children with developmental disabilities and their families. It was held at a campground in Bath, NY. If any of you are from NYS or PA, you definitely want to consider this.
Each family is assigned an assistant for the weekend. Most, if not all, were college students. The assistant's job was to keep the children occupied. If they wanted to go miniature golfing, do a craft, play on the playground, the assistant did it all.
And for something to do with your respite time, there is a spa on the premises. What could be better? There were children there with all sorts of abilities. There were so many different wheelchairs, and some of them were really cool! There were autistic children, Down's syndrome children, CP children. You name it, they were there. But no one really talked about their disabilities, it was all about their abilities. All the crafts and activities were tailored to each child's ability.
Other highlights: There were discussion groups and workshops for the parents, all meals were included except dinner on Friday (which was available for an additional fee), there was a professional drummer for entertainment (and audience participation), a campfire with smores on Friday night. And if you don't have your own RV, there are trailers and cabins available for rent.
All in all, we had a fantastic weekend. The kids really enjoyed the camping experience, and I enjoyed the fact that I didn't have to be so concerned with my children's behavior. After all, everyone there understood.
There are 2 more retreat weekends this summer, but I don't know if there are any openings available. However, there will be more weekends next summer. If you're in the area, I would highly recommend it (but leave an opening for me!!).
Hey Zipper, glad you and your family had a great time! It sounds like it could be a fun place, but I am concerned (at least for myself) who the college students are helping with disabled kids. Do they have any training? And how does your child react to being left with a stranger at a strange place when they resist changes?
Well, I think that it sounds GREAT and I wish there was something like that here. My daughter usually will follow along with an activity if her brother and other kids are doing it. She imitates all behavior..good and bad
Thank you for sharing about a good family weekend! It really does sound good to me!
Aloha, Renee
Zipper,
I think that sounds wonderful!! Because I AM an overprotective parent and the thought of me being able to be close buy with my child and also at times get a break if I wan't and feel comfortable at a camp sounds GREAT to me. Mind you I think my son is too little right now but I could definately see myself doing something like this if it were available when he is a little older. I like camping with the kids and this sounds like such a wonderful place where you can meet other parents/children that go through simular situations. And i figure like this...if you are an overprotective parent like me then you could always choose to do all activities with your children since your right there anyway right? Sounds like a great family fun vacation to me!! Good for you that you found this place!!!
Karrie
Again, Im glad your family had a wonderful time and Im sure many other families have had a wonderful time as well. I think its awesome someone decided to make a place where people with a special needs family can go and relax rather then worry about someone complaining their special needs kid is causing them a miserable vacation.
We have to remember not everything works for all families. Some kids require additional care some respond differently and so forth. What works for some wont work for others. Zipper's family had a WONDERFUL TIME and I am very happy for them!
Thanks for posting about it. As far as the training this is what I found on the web site for anyone else interested ........... http://www.giftsretreats.com/staff.htm A Family Assistant is assigned to each family during their time at the Wellness G.I.F.T.S. Retreats. These Assistants are able to provide child/adult care for both the individuals with special needs and their siblings. Parents or care-givers are free to attend workshops, go out for dinner, get a massage or just relax! The Assistants involve your family members in arts and crafts activities, accompany them to the swimming pool, join in hay rides, play in sports events - generally have a good time! The Assistants are not trained in special personal care - you must bring your own attendant for these needs. Our Family Assistants join us from varied and broad backgrounds. Most of the Family Assistants are college students from local universities and colleges who are majoring in health care, educational, social work programs, or psychology programs. Other Family Assistants are community members who have a keen interest in helping individuals with special needs. Campers who live or camp at Hickory Hill Camping Resort also donate their time and friendship. Learn more about becoming a Family Assistant. Educational Staff: The staff for our Educational Workshops and Seminars are professionals trained in their areas of expertise along with parents who advocate for their family members. Therapy Staff: The therapy staff are provided by Wellness Works, a therapy clinic which is located directly on the premises. Therapists are licensed and registered as required by their individual disciplines and treatment approaches. Recreation Staff: http://www.giftsretreats.com/help.htm Assistants are needed each Camping Retreat to work one-on-one with our families or behind the scenes. The Assistants Program is a way for Wellness G.I.F.T.S. Camping Retreats to offer an exciting opportunity for students, community members, and professionals to volunteer to help families who are caring for individuals with special needs. The Camping Retreats provide times of re-energizing and a much needed break from the day-to-day challenges that families face. The Assistants play a key role in providing the respite care that allows parents and caregivers to attend workshops, interact with each other, go out for a dinner or just take a nap!As an Assistant you will support and be a friend to our special families. You may be helping at meal times, running errands, taking a child to the swimming pool, making craft projects, or playing sports and games. The main requirement is to be a warm, caring person - no professional training is required. Before the Camping Retreats begin, Assistants are involved in a Training Day. During this time, the basics are covered with regard to first aid, safety, and behavior management. Issues are presented that relate to the focus area of the Retreat. Requirement: Application: Download an online application form or call or write for an application: Wellness G.I.F.T.S. Reference: You will be asked to have an adult fill out a reference form. We recommend a teacher, supervisor or coworker, rather than a relative or someone you live with. Lodging: Free to assistants! Call early to set up your accommodations. 607-776-3737 or 800-760-0947 Cost: The costs of your Training Day, materials, T-shirt, all meals and lodging is covered by Wellness G.I.F.T.S. Time and Talents - Just give us a call and we can find an activity that matches your talents and expands the outreach of Wellness G.I.F.T.S.! I am glad they had fun too. But I know this would not work for me and my kids. Right now I am having major behaviour issues and safety issues with Gabe. I don't even know if I will send him to day camp this summer at a place that specifically deals with his disability. And I do know they train their staff very well. But a one day training course is just not enough for my kids. Tammy Well excuse me but my two kids are not appropriate for any day care setting. As far as respite, if you are there, what kind of respite is it? Usually you leave when the respite worker is there or if it is overnight respite the kids are at someone else's house. You said the program has been operating for a few years. I still would't trust it. If the school cannot keep up with Gabe, I doubt a summer program could. Also there could be tons of people around to supervise but that is totally different from one to one supervision in a structured setting. If the setting is out in the open how can it be structured. If it was in a library for example that is more of a structured setting. Tammy
The recreation staff is a combination of Wellness G.I.F.T.S. personnel, Hickory Hill Family Camping Resort Activity staff and volunteers
7531 County Route 13
Bath, NY. 14810
Email: Wellness@giftsretreats.com
Phone: 607-776-3737 or 800-760-0947
There were children there with severe autism. One family had a
6-yr. old son who had a particularly difficult time. Quite
often one of his parents would rejoin him and their assistant and help
to calm him down. However, even those parents took advantage of
respite time and were comfortable leaving their son in the care of the
assistant. Both parents were present at a roundtable discussion
about behaviors and what techniques work (and don't work) to help
improve behavior, so I know they had to leave their children with
someone.
Somehow I have given the wrong impression about this program.
Either that or you are just extremely overprotective parents. I
encourage you to check out the website I gave earlier in this topic as
it gives more information about the training and the program in
general. If you don't live in the area and won't take advantage
of the program, I guess it's a lost point, anyway.
My original intent was to provide information that might be helpful or
useful to other parents. I guess I failed miserably. From
now on, I may just keep this information to myself.
Copyright Autism-PDD.net