Dawson autism resource center hosts summer swim camp

DAWSON — Lisa Perry is not one to let a little thing like providing appropriate recreational activities for individuals who are part of her Advocates for Autism Resource Center get in the way.

Perry, who left the classroom after 31 years as a Special Education teacher to open the center at 119 N. Main St. in the heart of downtown Dawson 15 years ago, and her husband Kenneth Perry simply took it upon themselves to have a pool installed on their property. And that facility is paying dividends in the southwest Georgia summer heat, as Advocates for Autism Research Center is hosting a swimming camp that offers benefits on a number of levels.

“We have contracted with a life coach from the Albany YMCA to come out and provide basic swim lessons for children who have autism or other related disorders,” Lisa Perry said. “We started this week, and we’ll be doing the lessons on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 12:30-2 p.m. for the next four weeks.

“Individuals who are on the autism spectrum have a tough time dealing with noisy activities; it can sometimes overwhelm them. Plus, autistic kids have a tendency to wander, and for some reason they are attracted to water. It’s very important that these students learn to swim.”

Perry’s resource center is located in the middle of Dawson’s downtown district, leaving little opportunity for recreational activities. She and Kenneth started looking for ways to change that.

“We’ve had great support the last two years from sponsorship of our Autism Walk, and we used some of those funds to install the pool,” Perry, who earned a bachelor’s degree in Special Education at Albany State University, and master’s and specialist degrees in the discipline at Georgia Southwestern State University, said. “This swim camp is very sensory friendly, a safe haven for the kids to have recreational activities, have fun and hopefully learn a skill that could save them.

“We started the camp this week, and the kids are loving it.”

Perry said the camp is for any child in the area who has Autism Spectrum Disorder.

Autism Spectrum Disorder is a neurological disorder that affects normal development in one in 36 children. Its onset begins around the age of 2, and while research is starting to catch up with the disorder, there is no known “cause.” Some of the common symptoms, Perry said, are lack of communication, lack of eye contact, lack of social skills, lack of speech development, repetitive behavior and failure to connect with others.

The disorder manifests itself on three levels: Level 1, (previously referred to as Asberger’s Syndrome) where there is a higher level of function and less need of support; Level 2, where a moderate level of support is required; and Level 3, where individuals need maximum support from caregivers.

“In 2012, 1 in 110 children internationally was diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder,” Perry said. “In 2016 it was 1 in 88; in 2018, one in 68; and in 2020, one in 36. Autism was first recognized as a disorder in 1944, so you see the level of diagnosis now. Of course, a lot of that is because now, we know what to look for.”

Anyone interested in finding out more about the Autism Swim Camp or the Advocates for Autism Resource Center may contact Perry at (229) 869-2326 or come by the center’s 119 N. Main St. facilities.

Special Photo: Lisa PerrySpecial Photo: Lisa Perry

Special Photo: Lisa Perry