Camp makes therapy fun for kids

Developmentally delayed youngsters practice their main jobs - playing - at a new summer therapy camp at The Summit.

"That's how they learn all about their world," said physical therapist Tracey Hornby.

Campers include children with cerebral palsy, autism and Down syndrome. A pediatric team of physical, occupational and speech therapists orchestrate the camp's productive fun.

"There's a theme for each week," said occupational therapist Peggy Layer. "We had circus week and animal week and wheels that go 'round."

The Summit hosts two groups of children who practice playing for two hours, two days a week. Morning campers range in age from 3 to 5 years, while the afternoon group includes children 6 years of age and older.

Hornby explained that the camp mirrors a rehabilitation camp in Wisconsin. Layer brought the therapy camp with her when she joined Kalispell Regional Medical Center's pediatric therapies at The Summit.

"It was nice to have the basic framework," Hornby said.

The therapists were motivated to provide a supported summer camp for children who don't qualify for school programs.

"We have this awesome facility," Karen McGehee, a speech therapist, said. "We wanted to get kids out of the house."

More importantly, they wanted to prevent social backsliding during the summer by their developmentally delayed patients. Mixing it up with new friends at camp, the children drop the mantle of patient.

"They're still kids," Hornby said.

McGehee noted that the therapists sometimes see new responses from the youngsters, who typically they see one-on-one.

"They're different little people in this environment," she said. "They follow each other better."

To develop their fine-muscle skills, the children use their fingers to pinch dough or scissors to make crafts as a group. Large-motor-skill time gives campers a chance to unleash pent-up energy.

During animal week, the children giggle through bear- and crab walking. They also hopped like bunnies, jumped like monkeys and galloped like horses.

Hornby explained that this therapy targets the large muscle groups. She and Mary Anne Gill, the other physical therapist, get real workouts themselves as they get the campers jumping, climbing, crawling and rolling.

She said children with cerebral palsy are able to succeed in this kind of play, even with a disease that affects their muscles.

"Cerebral palsy preschoolers are still pretty mobile," she said.

On special camp days, the children get a dip in the swimming pool or time to climb the rope ladder and other fun stuff in The Summit's day-care playground equipment.

"Gross motor skills gets them all riled up," Layer said with a laugh. "Then we have snack time. It's also theme based."

Animal week snacks included Gummi Bears and animal crackers. The treats provide more than nutrition, McGehee said.

Eating with other children provides a strong social motivation for autistic campers to pass food to friends or at least put snacks on their plates and touch them.

McGehee explained that some children don't like the feel of a cup on their lips. Others, fed through a tube at an early age, fight taking food into their mouths.

"It feels horrible to them," she said.

Children with Down syndrome exhibit the opposite problem. They often have a strong urge to overeat.

A highlight of animal week was a visit by the real things.

"We brought in pet dogs and hamsters," Layer said.

She brought in her therapy dog, an elderly Labrador, which encouraged youngsters with touching aversions to reach out and pet. On their own, the children organized snack time for the dog, Hornby said with a laugh.

Although fun for the children, the activities relate to goals and objectives set for each child. A nature walk was scheduled for the children to practice finding things.

"We had hidden plastic snakes and lizards," Layer said with a laugh.

After each session, the therapists evaluate the children's progress toward those goals.

Sometimes their observations note uplifting breakthroughs.

"One little girl jumped for the first time," Hornby recalled.

They take heart watching the children help others who have different challenges. If an autistic child becomes overwhelmed and needs to withdraw, the staff provides a blanket to wrap in or suggests a trip through the play tunnel.

The therapists watch for opportunities for social moments. Hornby said sometimes little nudges are needed to get them to interact.

"Sometimes they'll surprise us," Layer said. "One little guy likes to take care of another one. It's a good motivator for him."

The camp environment gives the different disciplines a chance to get an integrated view of a child's progress.

"It's nice to have that spectrum of therapy," Hornby said.

Parents drop off their children each day until the end of the six-week camp.

"In the very last week, we like to have the parents attend and see all the things their child has done," Layer said.

Parents also receive a summary with recommendations and specific actions to continue developing. Some may need more one-on-one therapy, and others get green lights to move on to preschools during the fall.

Reporter Candace Chase may be reached at 758-4436 or by e-mail at cchase@dailyinterlake.com.