Summer Programs for ASD Teens

I have recently begun a crusade of sorts to rally the autism community in my area and find out what others like me need for our kids in the summer.  I want our museums, zoo, and many many other great resources here in the sciences and technology and the arts, to offer at least one week each summer for teens on the Spectrum.  They already offer camps to typical kids and do accept kids with special needs, but often ony with staff support.   I envision a summer program for teens with Aspergers that would allow them to select from a menu of programs in their area of interest that would be available throughout the summer months.  Some of these would be overnight programs.  Some may be weekend programs.  I'll take what I can get!  But I plan to link up with the autism groups here and the parents and put the message out that more special needs teen summer programs are needed.

I am looking for input from others about summer programming needs for teens on the autism spectrum -- and if there are good things going on in your community, would you share them with me so I can pass the ideas along?

I live in Pittsburgh, PA.  We have a wealth of program options in the summer but most have a 12 year old upper age limit.  If they have teen programs, my son does not fit in, even though he is high functioning with autism, his interests are those of a younger child.  His intellectual ability is very high, so he is caught between craving information and being unable to access it.  He also has severe dyslexia. 

If my vision for a summer teen program for kids with autism rings a bell with you, please write and tell me about your child and his/her special interests, their age, and what you are doing to fill up the summers.  What does your child need that isn't being offered?   Maybe with many voices we can get the message out that our teens can do more, deserve more, and not just until age 12!