The Children of Raquette Lake

This compelling memoir chronicles a pivotal 1958 summer when psychologist Mira Rothenberg and her colleagues took eleven autistic and schizophrenic children to a wilderness camp, challenging the institutional norms of their era. Rothenberg's firsthand account reveals how removing these children from clinical settings and immersing them in nature at Raquette Lake sparked unexpected breakthroughs in communication and emotional connection. The narrative captures both the daily struggles and profound moments of clarity that emerged through this radical departure from conventional treatment approaches.

What distinguishes this account is its raw honesty about working with severely disturbed children when autism was poorly understood and therapeutic options were limited. Rothenberg doesn't romanticize the experience but instead shows how patience, innovation, and the healing power of the natural environment created transformative changes. Teen readers interested in psychology, disability history, or stories of social pioneers will find this a thought-provoking glimpse into how compassion and courage can reshape medical practices. The book ultimately demonstrates how one experimental summer helped lay groundwork for more humane approaches to developmental disorders.