EMU Today

YPSILANTI – The Autism Collaborative Center at Eastern Michigan University is offering a special new program this summer that will help children on the autism spectrum continue the developmental momentum of the regular school year.

The Little Eagles Summer Enrichment Program will offer essential summer programming to children between the ages of 6 and 10 who are on the autism spectrum. Program activities will focus on the development of language and social skills through small group work activities, and will seek to enrich participants in both their academic and personal lives.

“The goal of this summer enrichment program is to help combat the regression many families have stated their child has experienced during the summer months away from school,” said Kristine Kastle, managing Director of the Autism Collaborative Center. “Leaving the daily routine of a structured classroom environment to the unstructured nature of summer break can cause an increase in behaviors and breakdowns in peer-to-peer relationships.”

Kastle said this is the first year for the program, but already the center has received feedback from families noting this is a much-needed service to fill a gap for their child.

While some programming focuses on school-related tasks such as handwriting, school prep and working with peers, activities also include group music instruction, gardening, cooking and exploring new foods.

Students that would benefit most from this program are likely enrolled in a formal education setting with minimal supports for success. Participants should be toilet trained and have some language and group social skills. One-on-one care cannot be provided at all times.  

Participants will work with highly-trained support staff, all of whom are in pursuit of (or have completed) a degree in a relevant health field. All staff have significant training and experience working with children on the spectrum. Campers will also have access to the Autism Collaborative Center’s Occupational Therapists and Speech Language Pathologist.

The Autism Collaborative Center offers all participants grant funding based on financial need. Participants can register for one session or for all four. The first session runs from June 18-29 and the final one from August 6-17. The program is off for the week of July 4. Activities run from 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.

All sessions will be located at the ACC’s main office at 1055 Cornell Road, in the Fletcher Building. For more information, please see the program registration page or contact the ACC at 734.487.2890 or autismcenter@emich.edu.

About Eastern Michigan University

Founded in 1849, Eastern is the second oldest university in Michigan. It currently serves 20,000 students pursuing undergraduate, graduate, specialist, doctoral and certificate degrees in the arts, sciences and professions. In all, more than 300 majors, minors and concentrations are delivered through the University's Colleges of Arts and Sciences; Business; Education; Health and Human Services; Technology, and its graduate school. EMU is regularly recognized by national publications for its excellence, diversity, and commitment to applied education. For more information about Eastern Michigan University, visit the University's website.