I need to make a big apology. You see, I’ve been teaching now for fourteen years, but I have only just recently joined your ranks.

I didn’t know. Not even a clue. I thought, mistakenly, that having two special-needs children in my family made me more sensitive to your needs as a parent. It didn’t. And I’m so sorry for operating under the assumption that it did. I’m not attempting verbal self-flagellation here. I meant well. I knew a lot about autism and some about other special-needs conditions. I did care about your child. And I did want to do right by him. But, like a lot of teachers who Just Don’t Get It, I thought doing right by him meant giving him extra time on assignments and not allowing him to fail my class. I thought being extra nice and seating her at the front of the room was what you needed from me.

But you needed more. And I didn’t understand that. You needed communication. A lot of it. You needed me to understand your depth of worry. You needed me to understand that, if you’ve met one special-needs child, you’ve met one special-needs child. You needed me to understand that I was teaching your child, not an I.E.P. You needed to know, not assume, that I would go out on a limb to make sure your child’s needs were met all over the school and not just in my classroom. You needed to not worry that, when your back was turned, I was still doing everything that I promised as well as thinking of better ways to meet your child’s needs. You needed to talk about your child in meetings and not worry about the clock.

I know better now. In just a few months, I am going to be placing my special little boy into the hands of the public school system. Because he is non-verbal, I will have no way of literally knowing how his day went, if he is being treated well, and if those to whom I am entrusting his care really do care about him. This kind of fear is paralyzing. And more so because I know just how little training (read almost none) that most of the staff in a public school have in dealing with children like my son. They, too, will mean well. But they won’t know. They won’t get it. I now know why you carry The Binder of Epic Proportions to every meeting. Mine is getting bigger by the day.

I look back now at all of your children and wish that I had picked up the phone more, written quick notes home more often, challenged your child more often rather than less, and made you feel certain that someone else loved your baby in your absence. For that, I’m sorry. I promise to do better for those kids in the future. I promise to not assume anything about your child’s unique situation and needs. I won’t just react to bullying of your very different child. I will actively be on the lookout for it. I will remember your child and her possible confusion on activity bell schedule days. I will take more time each day to get to know her. I promise to do my best to push, cajole, educate, and even take to task my colleagues who don’t get it in the years to come. I pray that teacher training will improve in the future and that my son will reap the rewards of that. And I hope that I am just as patient, kind, and understanding with his teachers and schools as most of you were with us.

And those of you who weren’t? I get you too.

Sincerely,

Your Child’s Former Teacher

Here’s to happy campers…
Beth

One of our campers in the Gorillas, who came to camp for the first time, had a difficult time leaving. He showed quite a bit of emotion for a boy diagnosed with an ASD. We loved this kid, he tried everything, and was an integral part of the group. The Gorillas, our 13-16ish group, would not have been the same without him. Ellen and I were really touched by this particular camper and spoke about him after camp. Maybe it was the first time that he was accepted by peers for who he was. I know what it is like for a child with an ASD in middle school, generally middle school stinks for any kid who is perceived as different, but our campers who are a bit higher functioning really take the brunt of the middle school bullying. Our Gorilla camper was able to be a leader and a friend, maybe for the first time.

Now my house is is a mess. Over the past 3 weeks I didn’t do much around here, my boys and I and my nephew Aaron, who is on his 2nd Camp Good Times year, just leave everything and concentrate on camp. I jokingly describe to the counselors, during training, what I think is a sucessful camp day, …everyone who comes to camp, goes home the same as they came but, dirty, tired and happy.
And actually thats what happens thanks to my professional staff of teachers and autism professionals.
I do have to thank a few extra people for helping during camp…

Nurse Vi, who comes to camp to help your kids feel good and administer meds. She keeps us safe, medicated and bandaided and fed. Vi ‘s grandson, William comes to camp. We are fortunate to have a volunteer RN, who understands our children at camp.

Our Board of Directors, especially members Milcheal Filippone and Reece Wrenn, who keeps us focused on the child and focused on the money we spend. And Shelli Quenga, who emails me help with grants, when my brain stops working…shes really smart.

Ellen, our Assistant Director and behavioral genius, who I can not do camp without. She has to put up with and work with me all year. Nuff said…..

Jennifer and Sharon Cook, not only has Jen come to camp as long as I have, she as a camper, me as , well me… but Jen and her mom Sharon made and sent in hundreds of camper gifts and staff thank yous for everyone at camp. I am wearing her friendship braclet now!, actually 4 of them….

The Lowcoutry Anglers and all of the businesses who donate to them for their fishing tournament.

The Man of the Sand Half Rubber Tournament organizers, who put on this event every year for our benefit and have raised thousands over the years for Camp Good Times.

Sonya Beale and Shannon at the Carolina Childrens Charity, Diane D. and the Charleston County Disabilities Board, Suzanne Mischler and the Dorchester County Disabilities Baord, Faith Furtick and Berkeley Citizen, Renee Cochran and Easter Seals, Beth Swain and The Does, Serena Selkin at AUTISM SPEAKS, my parents, and all the grandparents and everyone else who make it easier, Fnancially, for our children to attend Camp Good Times. Our camper fees make up about 40% of the actual cost of camp.

Mark, my fiancee, who, deals with me and Camp Good Times everyday of the year, not just in June. He is a wonderful man and I am lucky to have him. He loves July.

Camp is not free, our staff are professionals and are paid as such. No one is making a fortune, but to get accountability and the type of supervision our children require we pay our people a decent wage. We pay for the facility, we pay for the transportation, we pay for the field trips, we pay a lot of insurance, we pay postage, phone, office supplies, website, we pay for CPI and training, and now we are back to zero and start raising money for next year. That actually is our goal, we have a dollar amount to make every year, so we can have fun, and then we start all over….

I always say that I work 3 jobs, but only one matters. Camp Good Times is year round for Ellen and I. We do actually work at schools during the year and I also teach cultural cooking at my synagogues religious school, but Camp Good Times is our real job, our real calling, our real passion. Please help us raise money to attain our goals of making camp longer, add more campers, and build a real facility. These are lofty goals, but with the increase in the diagnosis of ASD’s, the need for recreation, social interaction and fun for our children increases everyday.

Camp Good Times of Charleston is the fun and safe summer day camp for all children with autism.

Visit our blog during the year for updates on next year and don’t forget that 2012 applications will be available Feb. 1, 2012.

Here’s to happy campers!!!!

Beth