March 19, 2010
BIRMINGHAM, Ala. - For children suffering from attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and other behavioral disorders, school and home life can become places of frustration, isolation and heartache. But one University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB) summer day camp program offers a comprehensive and individualized treatment approach that is helping these children to succeed.
The UAB Summer Treatment Program, offered through the UAB Civitan International Research Center and the Civitan-Sparks Clinics, is for children ages 6-12 with behavioral disorders such as ADHD, Asperger's disorder and oppositional defiant disorder. The program will be held this summer from 8 a.m. to5 p.m. weekdays, June 21 through July 30 at Community Education South Community School, 1220 50th St. South. The cost is $3,100 per child, due by the first day of camp. Pre-camp interviews and assessments are conducted to determine eligibility.
The program provides problem-solving training, friendship development, individualized academic remediation and sports skills training as well as parent education and assessments of children's medications and behavior therapy.
"Children with behavioral disorders are often treated with medications that treat their symptoms, but don't give them the skills that they need in everyday life," said UAB Assistant Professor Bart Hodgens, Ph.D., a co-director of the UAB Summer Treatment Program who also teaches in the UAB Department of Psychology. "The primary goal of the Summer Treatment Program is to build those skills and competencies into these children."
Children in the program spend two hours a day in classroom sessions with a certified special education instructor to learn how to enhance their academic skills. Throughout the day, a variety of behavioral treatments tailored to the specific needs of each child are integrated into activities. The behavioral treatments include social and problem solving discussions, time out, daily report cards, reward systems and weekly parent education meetings.
The program also features a computer lab and art classes, and children can enjoy recreational activities like soccer, basketball, swimming and softball. A daily yoga class emphasizing relaxation and positive imagery is held in the afternoon.
Christie Hagedorn's eight-year-old son, Zachary, attended the program last year for ADHD and credits it for improving her son's performance in school.
"He is much better now at following directions," said Hagedorn, "and that was the biggest change that his teachers mentioned to me after the summer. The program also helped Zachary with anger management so now he can solve his own problems through anger management and some of the other techniques that he learned over the summer.
"It has really helped him to get along better with his peers at school."
Space is limited. For more information, call 205-934-5471 or e-mail UAB psychologists
Hodgens at bhodgens@uab.edu or co-director Cryshelle Patterson, Ph.D., at cspatter@uab.edu.
About the UAB Department of Psychology
The UAB Department of Psychology is recognized nationally for its significant contributions to cutting edge research and scholarship as well as teaching. The department's undergraduate program is one of the largest majors on campus. The department also offers graduate programs in medical psychology, lifespan developmental psychology and behavioral neuroscience.
About the Civitan International Research Center
The Civitan International Research Center (CIRC) at UAB is an interdisciplinary center dedicated to improving lives through brain research and the prevention and treatment of developmental disabilities. Founded in 1990, the CIRC program areas include mental retardation, autism spectrum disorders, treating brain tumors, neonatal seizures, constraint therapy, Rett syndrome, Alexander's Disease, Kernicterus and more. CIRC's approach focuses on the overall development of the mind and forming a continuum from the laboratory to the clinic to the home and community.