As parents and participants, finding the right summer program or summer camp where you "belong" is critical. As a neurodiverse teen, having anxiety about social interactions and forming meaningful friendships can be a roadblock. The desire for socialization opportunities and forming meaningful connections is very important.
At Summer@CIP, we understand the importance of finding a supportive community where individuals with autism and learning differences can thrive socially, emotionally, and academically. Each year, we compile key information about our participants, including age, location, diagnosis, and IQ, to ensure that families have a comprehensive understanding of the social fit of our program.
Before diving in, it's essential to familiarize yourself with our Summer@CIP two-week transition program's admissions criteria.
Now, let's look at each of these dimensions of the typical Summer@CIP peer group:
One of the core aspects of Summer@CIP is the emphasis on developing social skills and forming friendships. We recognize that social and emotional factors, including maturity and life experiences, apply when looking at chronological age play a significant role in a participant's journey. Therefore, we occasionally make exceptions based on an individual's unique circumstances.
While Full-Scale IQ (FSIQ) receives attention in the admissions world, it's important to understand that it's just one dimension of a person's cognitive abilities. We take a holistic approach, considering underlying subtest scores, alternative testing types, social and emotional factors, lived experiences, and motivation. Our focus is on understanding the whole person and addressing any concerns early on to meet the needs of each family.
Co-occurring diagnoses are common among our participants, with autism level 1 being the primary diagnosis. Additionally, anxiety and depression are not uncommon, nor is obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), and we provide support tailored to the individual needs of each participant.
Summer@CIP attracts students from all over the world, creating a diverse and inclusive community. Since 2009, we've welcomed students from almost every US state and 40 countries. While some participants travel internationally to attend our program, many come from various regions within the US to the specific Center location that suits them best.
We hope this gives you further insight into our participants and program. Come join us for a summer experience of a lifetime!
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