Smiles lit up the stage as nearly 50 children took turns revealing their talents.
Dressed in costumes made with their own hands and using props they made, the kids enthralled their audience of parents and staff members.
For six weeks, students diagnosed with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, autism or anxiety disorders have attended summer camp in the Bristol Township School District to learn social skills that will help them function easier in society.
The talent show is part of the curriculum, according to JoAnne Allison, district supervisor of special education.
“The kids have to work in groups to develop ideas. They learn to be comfortable with what they are doing,” said Allison. “They learn to listen and learn to encourage each other.”
Those skills may come easily to many kids, but not to those with ADHD, autism or anxiety disorders, she said.
On Thursday, the campers hosted their talent show in the auditorium of Neil A. Armstrong Middle School in Bristol Township. The performance marked the grand finale of the summer camp.
The school district partnered with the Delaware Valley Children’s Center to run the specialized camp for students aged 6 to 14. The nonprofit center is based in Wrightstown and specializes in autism diagnosis and treatment.
“It’s not often that you see a school district and behavioral partner work together,” said Allison.
During the third week of camp, the teachers began discussing the talent show with the children to help them get ideas. By the fifth week, the students had decided what they would do in the show
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