Favorite summer camps that prepare for college?

CaliforniaMomma
Mon, 08 Sep 2025 15:50:20 +0000

My son was diagnosed on spectrum when he was younger, had ABA for 5 years or so, then speech to help with social cuing as well as other issues. He also had OT for about 10 years, sensory integration/feeding issues, etc. Also vision therapy for a year. He doesn’t have an IEP but does have a 504. He used to be brilliant as a kid but as he has gotten older he is falling further and further behind because he doesn’t have the “life skills”/maturity to do what needs to be done. He has an incredible memory which is why ASL is a perfect fit, he likes things to fit the rules. I highly suspect he has ADHD but my hubby refuses to discuss this as an option he just thinks I am too soft. He has executive functioning issues that I have been trying to help support with. My son refuses to address these issues professionally he is embarassed. He would be devastated to go to a camp where there were a bunch of ADHD or ASD kids. He has improved and sometimes he needs coaching to get the job done. In middle school he had a project that needed a particular type of paper that the teacher passed out. He lost it, I prompted him to ask for a new one. Teacher gave him one, then he crumpled it and didn’t tell me. Then, my son refuses to ask for another one since the teacher made a big deal about being responsible. So he got a zero on the assignment, I let him fail, but it was a huge debate at our house. Then he ended up getting a C in pe for the semester! His response was that PE doesn’t matter anyway. He earns A’s in pretty much everything but has a hard time focusing to study. He finishes all assignments, but he doesn’t spend enough time studying for tests sometimes. He is likely to have such a good memory because it doesn’t take long compared to other kids. He doesn’t ever just hang out with friends, there is always a purpose. When there is a purpose he is very engaged and is respected. (camping, hiking, biking, golf, paddleboarding). He had a job as an umpire a couple years ago and he was excellent at it, he felt like an adult, he was in charge and he made some cash. He decided it wasn’t worth the hassle or else that would be an item still. I didn’t include this background because I didn’t want to get recommendations for special needs types camps he wouldn’t want to go to. I want to push his boundaries. He has been to scout camp and one other camp before. They all say I baby him too much. I make a cooked breakfast for him every morning (he used to make major feeding issues and since is low weight, yes I do it!), I force him to use an app to write down what he needs to do. I don’t tell him I tell him he needs to put it in. I nag him to find out if he did get it done. I nag him to not leave trash on the floor, dirty clothes on the floor. To make sure he understands the steps required when he runs events. He says he wants to run the event himself and I check on the pieces, did you make the reservation? Did you ask for permission to run the event and clear the date? He has no curfew but rarely goes out. He rides an electric scooter to school many days, but if he is running late I drive him. (I don’t want him to ride when the traffic is crazy at the school!) I nag that if there is no helmet on, then the scooter goes. He wants to learn how to drive but is embarrassed by the new driver magnets I make him put on the car. He seems to think he is taking the test in November and I am telling him NO unless I think he is ready. I just want some peace in my house and feel like I am failing him and it is my fault. I am the only one who deals with the discipline/routines. I feel like I am in trouble if he doesn’t behave.