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Open Doors Summer Camp is a recreational half-day summer camp specially designed
for children with autism. We invite preschool and school aged children with a
diagnosis of an autism spectrum disorder to participate in our camps. Past camps
have been held at space leased from New Hanover County Schools. Registration for
camp begins in the spring. Open Doors Campers are exposed to rich sensory
experiences with a focus on social and emotional development. Our goals are to
create an environment that addresses the unique developmental and sensory needs
of each child, to have every child feel accepted for who they are as an
individual, and most importantly…to have fun!
Our Staff
Laura Elliott, CCC-SLP, who has worked with high functioning students from
preschool to high-school age, served as Educational Director and Lead Teacher
during Open Doors Camp 2007 and Open Doors Camp 2008. Ms. Elliot has worked as a
teacher in special education classrooms as well as full inclusion settings. She
is a consultant to teachers at various grade levels, a TEACCH trainer, and a
speaker for numerous local and state agencies in North Carolina and California.
Ms. Elliot is currently serving as an autism specialist with New Hanover County
Schools. She is passionate about working with our children, training her staff
and working in collaboration with parents. You can visit her website at
www.autismican.com.
Bethany Nay, a special educator with New Hanover County Schools, served as our
second lead teacher for Open Doors Camp 2008. Ms. Nay’s enthusiasm for teaching
children with individual differences is an inspiration to us all. You can learn
more by visiting
www.teacherweb.com/NC/CollegeParkElementary/BNay/t.stm.
Jenny Phillips, OTR/L, is the owner and operator of OT Solutions, a private
occupational therapy practice that is committed to utilizing a
developmentally-based, individualized approach to working with children on the
autism spectrum. Ms. Phillips has volunteered her consultative services to help
create an optimal sensory environment for the children. She also works directly
with the children, staff and parents/caregivers using a child-led approach. You
can visit her website at
www.otsolutionsinc.com.
The Child and Family Specialists of UCP-ECHOES (Enhancing Childhood through
Outreach and Educational Supports) have served as volunteer staff since 2007.
The UCP-ECHOES program supports children with special needs who are in licensed
community childcare centers or at home with their families. Child and Family
Specialists offer direct services to the child as well as provide training and
technical assistance to the child’s caregiver. You can learn more about the
services that Easter Seals UCP provides in our area by contacting
ncates@nc.eastersealsucp.com.
Deb Shoemaker, MAAT, ATR-Registered Art Therapist, LPC-Licensed Professional
Counselor, served as a consultant to our staff and also worked directly with our
campers during Open Doors Camp 2008. Ms. Shoemaker has extensive experience
working with children and adolescents on the autism spectrum both as a certified
art teacher and as a therapist. You can learn more by visiting
www.debshoemaker.com.
Tim Bleecker, Co-director of DIR Support Services in Bethesda, Maryland, served
as our visiting Floortime consultant. He works with a wide range of children
with developmental and learning challenges using the DIR model. He and
co-director, Jake Greenspan, work alongside Dr. Stanley Greenspan, a creator of
the DIR/Floortime model. Tim and Jake also travel to present workshops on the
DIR/Floortime model. You can learn more about DIR Support Services by visiting
www.dirss.com.
Nadine Antonelli, MD, Board of Directors of The Open Doors Foundation, is the
mother of a child with autism. She has a special interest in DIR/Floortime, a
model that focuses on the often overlooked social and emotional development of
children with Autism Spectrum Disorders. Dr. Antonelli moderates the Floortime
Discussion Group, an informal gathering of parents, caregivers and professionals
who are incorporating Floortime in their work with children in the local
community. She also moderates two Yahoo Groups dedicated to autism support.
To join floortimers, an on-line support group created for families and
professionals who are using DIR/Floortime, click on:
floortimers-subscribe@yahoogroups.com.
To join WRAPS_Group, an on-line networking group serving the Wilmington Regional
Autism Parent Support (WRAPS) group, click on:
WRAPS_Group-subscribe@yahoogroups.com.
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