CAMP Learning Center

*. Image courtesy of 123rf

Super A goes to Camp... where Children Attain Maximum Potential. My father discovered this school while wandering about in our village as this is just a stone's throw away from our property. The school is being run by teacher-couple, Teacher Jessica and Teacher Don Bermejo who practiced in the US for a number of years until they decided to settle in Cebu.    

Super A has attended several schools over the years. I even tried to get him on regular schools in the hopes of him adapting to a mainstream set-up. This is one of the not-so-wise decisions I’ve made but then again it could be different with your special child. Going mainstream without supplemental OT program didn’t work for Super A though. The teachers just DID NOT have a clue on how to deal with him. Some schools just let him be or just let him sleep through an entire class. He has also gone through several OT programs in a couple of the more established special schools in the city, but perhaps because of the insufficient time spent on him, we didn’t really see any significant development especially on his behavior. He grew more and more aggressive over the years.

Going to school was a wrestling match for both Super A and I. He didn't event want to step inside these schools. Whenever I drop him off, he would cry and throw tantrums that would range from mild to extreme. This went on even to the last school he went prior to going to CAMP.

On my end, I have to admit, I also have not provided him what he needed. I used to engage him to do activities or to get him to study, but we would just end up “fighting”. I was trying to fit him into a mold and treated him like a regular kid. But there is a reason why they are called special. 

Super A started in CAMP January 2012. When Teacher Jess and I met to discuss our goals and plans, I had that faint jaded feeling, having gone through several program discussions and goals settings with previous schools without really significant and consistent development. 

When Super A was just 3 years old, my goal was for him to be able to learn how to read and write and be an Engineer or Architect... As he got older and displayed more aggressive behavior, those early goals were replaced with fervent prayers for him to just outgrow this or at least be able to learn to manage it. 

This is my topmost priority, I told teacher Jess. Other goals met will just be bonuses already.

When he started with CAMP, he didn’t know one-to-one correspondence counting. If there are 3 balls in sight, he would count all the way to 10. After his first month in CAMP, he achieved this goal. The key to this was very simple as Teacher Jess explained. When you let him count, let him absorb it by taking a pause after each count.

In his first few months, as Super A was still adjusting with his new school and teachers, his aggressive and odd behaviors like touching one’s hair (especially those with long hair) and running it to his face were still there but Teacher Jess enforced a management practice that somehow diminished and slowly did away with these behavior.

What I also appreciate about CAMP is that we never miss out on our monthly performance and goals discussion. Teacher Jess makes me feel that this is something that we really have to do on a monthly basis which I so appreciate. I feel her sincere effort and concern (and knock on wood, I hope this will not change) for Super A’s development.

Nowadays, Super A is the one even prodding us to take him to school. When we tell him to get ready for school, we don't even have to lift a finger as compared before. At CAMP, he takes on a role like a sergeant-of-arms or something similar who ensures peace and order in school. He picks up toys and puts them back to its place when the smaller kids make a mess. And he does this even at home when Harperoo plays with their toys.  He is the one who packs the toys away. 

Finding the right school/teacher for Super A turned out to be serendipitous more than academic. It's not always by the book. It's about finding that safe and happy place for my son where he will not be looked at differently or indifferently. By far, CAMP has put a smile on Super A's face and given me the peace of mind I've been longing for where no school has done before. This may change, but for now, we're happy CAMPers.

For more info on CAMP, you may call them at (6332) 2366862/ 5144467 or visit them at E. Corro St. Bayanihan Village Basak Pardo Cebu City.