Contact: Paige Watson

STARKVILLE, Miss.—A veteran College of Education faculty member at Mississippi State is seeking private support for a university-based effort that annually benefits youngsters diagnosed with autism spectrum disorders.

The only one of its kind in the U.S., Camp Jigsaw is a summer program launched in 2009 by Sandy Devlin, a professor of curriculum, instruction and special education. Named after the puzzle-piece symbol associated with autism awareness, it typically involves more than 40-50 males ages 13 and up who attend at no charge.

As she continues planning for the 2016 camp taking place June 19-24, Devlin said a fundraising account has been established to enable interested members of the general public to help support its operation. The contact link is https://accelerate.msstate.edu/project/2252 .

Housed during the week in a campus residence hall, participants spend their days in activities designed to help build social and self-determination skills. Field trips around campus and the Golden Triangle area are combined with horseback riding, swimming and picnics.

Joining Devlin as volunteer staff members are MSU graduate students preparing for careers that involve assistance to children with emotional and behavioral disorders.

“Camp Jigsaw appreciates any donations of any kind for those interested in becoming involved or helping out,” said Devlin, an MSU faculty member since 1990.

For additional information on the camp and the fund-raising effort to support it, contact her at 662-341-3322. 

MSU is Mississippi’s leading university, available online at www.msstate.edu.