Chason moved to Israel to live with his maternal grandparents when he was five. Nechama Bennett and her husband, Gary Teasdale, have weathered the job of parenting an active eight-year-old with Autism Spectrum Disorder at a time of their life when they might have been pursuing retirement activities.
Shutaf camp gives Chason the active, structured day that works well for his high-energy approach to life and offers his grandparents a break from the fatigue of managing his needs on a daily basis. Gary commented that Chason has a deep, “inner need to be with kids yet struggles to communicate and make friends.” Shutaf offers Chason mediated social interactions that enable him to feel accepted. The counselors work skillfully with Chason, showing him an easy affection that maximizes his enjoyment at camp.
Gary reports that Chason has also benefitted from Shutaf’s inclusion model. “Associating with kids who cope with more significant challenges as well as typical kids gives him new perspective” into his own issues. Being outdoors, meeting new children, having great counselors and a fun program of activities, Chason can hardly wait for Shutaf’s next camp.
