Making and playing with friends are two things that children do naturally and are skills that ordinarily we take for granted. Yet for many children with special needs and related learning differences, these two aspects of childhood do not come easily. The effects of specific learning differences may in fact preclude children from interacting appropriately with their peers. Poor self-esteem, low frustration tolerance and problems with anger and/or aggression are a constant source of concern for parents and teachers.

ASK bi-lingual summer camps offer a special haven for children aged 5 to 19, who have special needs and specific learning differences, where they are encouraged to be themselves without the daily pressure and restrictions of a typical school environment. Our summer camp program teaches social skills, life skills and play skills as well as using multi-sensory play activities to augment the numeracy and literacy skills they have already learned at school.

ASK’s semi-individualized learning programs are offered to children who attend the morning tutoring program, which also offers a high tutor to student ratio. Full integration opportunities are provided to the children with higher needs. Each and every child is encouraged to join in all camp activities regardless of their specific difficulties. The social skills and life skills activities are geared towards self discovery, building self confidence, conflict resolution and encourage the children to learn to be empathetic to each other and to accept the differences between self and others. For young adults, the program focuses on their need of life skills as well as social integration with peers. The peer mentoring program is an enriching and enjoyable way for the older children to hone up on their social skills and learn various life skills from organizing their daily schedule to food preparation and computer skills, to encourage them to have an independent life in the future.