<p>My younger DS (10 - 5th grade) has been diagnosed on the Autism Spectrum along with ADHD. He is currently in scouting, but does no other outside activities. His interests are with computer games (minecraft, etc.). He does have a few friends with similar interests. </p>
<p>He has an opportunity to do a FUN engineering day camp (Lego/robotics) on a university campus this summer. His friends are also planning to apply. He says he does not want to do it - probably because he thinks it will take away from his computer time. I've already told him that his summer computer time will be limited. With previous activities I have been able to just fill out the forms and sign him up. This one asks for <em>him</em> to list "why" he wants to do it and what he likes about engineering.</p>
<p>I am looking at this as an activity for him to do - not as something to put on a college resume in the future! Should I continue to encourage him to sign up for this camp? What could I say to make him more interested in this camp? He is a STEM minded child, so it's not like I'm pushing an Arts child into a STEM field.</p>
<p>Sometimes, I just had to sign my kid up before we got her buy-in. Then, after doing it, she’d report she enjoyed it. Of course, a required application stating why he wants to attend the camp might be a challenge. No advice, really, but I feel ya. </p>
<p>I would put the kid in the class. I’ve raised 2 kids with AS (one also has ADD) and IMHO, they cannot just be left to their own devices all the time. It’s not always easy, but putting them into a good program that fits their interests/gifts is a good thing to do, even if there is initial resistance from the child.
I also read recently, and think this is true, that you will not stop excess computer time by coming at it directly. You will get resistance. Instead, fill up their schedule more with other good activities, making sure they know there is “some time” for their computer use.
I’ll be trying this approach this summer with a returning-home college student, and let you know how that approach works out.</p>
<p>Thank you for the suggestions! We sent in the application-even got him to help fill it out-so we’ll see if he’s chosen for the program. It sounds like it’s a selective program as opposed to first come.
I understand what you’re saying, @MakeMom , he resists very much when I ask him to get off the computer especially when there is not an alternate activity lined up.
Any suggestions for other summer activities for a sedentary child??? :)</p>
<p>Do you have a YMCA where your child could take swimming lessons? Sometimes they even have good supportive swim teams. It’s a good way for a child to do what is essentially an individual sport, but can also be part of a team. Or if there is any sport/activity that your child shows the slightest inclination toward (fishing? golfing?) hire an older teen to take them to these activities and do them with them.</p>
<p>Considering that kids on the spectrum get anxious about new situations and especially social stresses, he may be more concerned about that aspect of the camp, while actually being interested in the topic. Sometimes avoidance is a way to reduce this anxiety. Kids on the spectrum like a predictable routine. </p>
<p>One idea would be to make him more familiar with the campus and the camp setting. Is it possible to take a drive there and let him see where the camp will be? Are there any videos about the camp - like on Youtube- where he can get an idea of what it is like? If he gets accepted, perhaps there is a teacher or staff member who is willing to meet with him so he knows a familiar face. If there is any way to make him more familiar with the routine of the camp, and what he might expect, this might reduce his anxiety about it. </p>