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Kids with Asperger's take up journalism
BY CARNEZ WILLIAMS
Eagle correspondent
Published in the Wichita Eagle July 23, 2008

Camp SSTAR Kids scrambling to get interviews, putting together news stories and shooting video are not activities you normally associate with a summer day camp.

But for a few campers with Asperger's Syndrome it's all in a day's production.

For the first time in Wichita, about 60 preschool through high school students with Asperger's syndrome, a high-functioning form of autism, expressed themselves through journalism at Camp SSTAR (Social Skills Technology Asperger Recreation), hosted by Heartspring at 8700 E. 29th St. North.

"We have seen kids in the last 24 to 48 hours go from being shy and timid to laughing, smiling, having fun," said Connie Coulter, the camp's founder and director of Community of Autism Resources and Education and Autism Outreach.

"Just like any other camper would."

The camp, which startedMonday and continues through Friday, is designed to help kids improve their socialization and communication skills through team-building, art and recreation.

Coulter said the journalism theme coincided with most Asperger's students' natural aptitude for technology.

"These kids love technology, they love computers, they love researching particular topics," she said.

For many campers, the highlight is working on a newscast they will produce by the end of the week. They do the reporting, script writing, taping and anchoring.

A DVD of the newscast will be mailed to each camper's house.

Jordan, a 12-year-old Maize camper and newscast camera operator, offered two reasons she enjoyed camp.

"I get to mess with cameras," Jordan said. "I love cameras."

Even more important for other campers is spreading awareness about the disorder and those who have it.

Christian, a 17-year-old Camp SSTAR intern with Asperger's, said he wanted people to know having the disorder isn't necessarily a bad thing.

"We're really unique, and you won't find anybody like us," Christian said. "I'm kind of glad I have it, and I'm glad I get to be around kids who do have it."
 
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