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The benefits of a camp designed for children with epilepsy: evaluating adaptive behaviors over 3 years
Sandra Cushner-Weinstein1, Madison Berl, Jay A Salpekar
1Children's National Medical Center, Division of Neurosciences and Behavioral Medicine, Department of Neurology, George Washington University School of Medicine and Health Sciences, Washington, DC 20010-2970, USA. scushwei@cnmc.org
Objective:
Children with epilepsy attending a condition-specific overnight camp were evaluated for behavioral changes over 3 consecutive years, using a modification of the Vineland Adaptive Behavioral Scale.
Methods:
Trained counselors completed pre- and postcamp assessments for each camper. Repeated-measures MANOVA was used to analyze effects of the camp experience for each year, with respect to gender and age. Repeated-measures ANOVA was conducted to evaluate long-term effects from year-to-year comparisons for return campers, following three successive camp experiences.
Results:
A significant change in social interaction was observed over 3 years. Despite some decline at the start of camp in consecutive years, the overall trend for return campers suggests a positive cumulative impact of continued camp participation, with improvements in the domains of social interaction, responsibility, and communication.
Conclusion:
A condition-specific camp designed for children with epilepsy can improve adaptive behaviors and social interactions. Overall net gains appear to increase over time, suggesting additional benefits for return campers.
