Camp Chronicals: The Perfect Storm

(ASD edition)

Plot: devilishly handsome camp counsellor who takes campers on trips around Boston is plagued by three kids on the Autistic Spectrum who team up to create a perfect storm of unpleasantness.

Characters

Folger: I had my suspicions about this kid for a while, and they were confirmed: Aspergers all the way. Usually he’s fine, if not a little awkward socially. God help you if plans change, though, or if you require his flexibility. My “favourite” story has got to be when we played Capture the Flag: Folger’s team won, but because of (what he deemed to be) violations of the rules, Folger threw a fit and insisted that the other team apologise to him and admit to his face that he was the winner. The counsellors did not give in to either demand.

JD: Again, this kid is usually fine in spite of his severely awkward social interactions. Big things to watch out for in this character? Serious problems with personal space, summarised nicely by his catchphrase: “can I have a hug?” You might be lulled into thinking “aw, that’s so sweet”, but after the 6th time explaining that physical contact is extremely regulated between staff and campers, you’d find it annoying too. JD’s most annoying trait though is that he talks to himself. But not in front of others, and not even under his breath quietly. No, only in a bathroom. This means that when JD needs to go “really bad”, you just don’t know if he’s telling the truth. And while we’re on the subject of JD, here’s a true back and forth we had the other day at end of day pick up.

JD: Alex, where’s my mom?

Me: I don’t know, JD, she’ll be here soon: it’s still early: pick up just started.

JD: Wait, will you carry me?

Me: JD, not only will I not carry you, but you don’t even have anywhere to go right now.

JD: No, wait, Alex, will you just carry me?

TO: This is the only one I haven’t actually met yet, but here’s a story I heard about him. TO is obsessed with fishing, and in a previous camp year, his group went to a lake. TO decided that he would, despite a total lack of equipment, catch a fish. He started out by wading in and trying to grab fish with his bare hands. Discouraged when this wouldn’t work, he used his hat in the hopes that a fish would swim into it. He then tried to sweeten the deal by digging up earthworms to use as bait in his hat-trap. He was unsuccessful.

The Conflict

Folger gets into screaming matches as soon as someone contradicts him one too many times. JD has trouble understanding other people’s intentions, and often sees malevolence where none exists. TO has a violent side and will lash out.

How will it all turn out? Stay tuned for the Week 6 chronicals.

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