Autism Calgary Association
&
Friend 2 Friend Social Learning Society

Proudly host

Fostering Peer Play and Friendships in Children on the Autism Spectrum

Blending the Integrated Play Groups and Friend 2 Friend Models

Presented by

Pamela Wolfberg & Heather McCracken

Oct 17^th and 18^th, 2008

Executive Royal Inn Hotel & Conference Centre Calgary, Alberta

2828 – 23^rd Street NE,Calgary, Alberta, Canada T2E 8T4

• Map - Executive Royal Inn Hotel & Conference Centre
• Speakers
• Autism Conference Registration (printable)
• About Autism Calgary Association

Seminar Description

The Integrated Play Groups (IPG) and Friend 2 Friend (F2F) models come together in this two-day seminar to address the unique social, play and friendship needs of children with autism spectrum disorders (ASD) and related social communication needs. These complementary models draw upon state-of-the-art evidence-based practices to foster children’s peer play and friendships within inclusive school, home and community settings. This seminar uses interactive games, video, slides, art, stories and real-life experiences to illustrate the program models.

Day 1 will provide the conceptual foundation for the IPG and F2F models and introduce the steps for designing effective and meaningful peer play and friendship programs.

Day 2 will focus on tools and techniques for implementing the practices of the IPG and F2F models to support children’s social interaction, communication, play, imagination and friendships across settings.

Join us to discover...

The importance of play and friendships in childhood

The nature of play and friendships in children with ASD

The principles and practices of the Integrated Play Groups Model

The principles and practices of the Friend 2 Friend Model

How to assess and monitor children’s social, communication, play, imagination and friendship development

How to enhance social interaction, communication, play, imagination and friendships

How to design quality peer play and friendship programs in school, home, community and therapy settings

How to design quality programs and activities to support peer play and friendships

About the Models

The Integrated Play Groups (IPG) model is designed to support children of diverse ages and abilities on the autism spectrum (novice players) in play with typical peers and siblings (expert players), in school, home and community settings. Through an individualized system of support, emphasis is placed on maximizing each child’s developmental potential and intrinsic desire to play, socialize and form meaningful peer relationships.

The Friend 2 Friend (F2F) model is designed to foster mutual friendships for children with ASD by building awareness, empathy and understanding in their peers, siblings and classmates. F2F offers innovative educational programs that include Puppet presentations and Simulation-Games. Presented in an age-appropriate and sensitive manner, F2F demystifies autism by modeling, labeling, explaining and normalizing characteristics as well as teaches specific friendship skills.

About the Speakers

Pamela Wolfberg, Ph.D. is a special education professor at San Francisco State University and director of the Autism Institute on Peer Relations and Play. As creator of the IPG model, she is an internationally renowned autism expert. She is the recipient of several distinguished awards for her scholarship, research and practice. She is widely published and the author of Play and Imagination in Children with Autism and Peer Play and the Autism Spectrum: The Art of Guiding Children’s Socialization and Imagination.

Heather McCracken is the founder and executive director of the Friend 2 Friend Social Learning Society in Vancouver, British Columbia and a mother of three children, one with ASD. As creator of the F2F model, she is a sought after international speaker. She actively delivers programs to children in schools and community groups as well lectures at the University of B.C., San Francisco State University and other post-secondary institutions. She has numerous publications and is the author of That’s What’s Different About Me: Helping Children Understand Autism Spectrum Disorder.

About Autism Calgary Association

The Autism Calgary Association is proud to offer the Friend 2 Friend Programs. As a F2F satellite our team has been delivering Puppet and Simulation Game Presentations to children in Southern Alberta since October of 2006.

Our Mission:

SUPPORT: Bring hope and help meet the needs of families and individuals living with Autism Spectrum Disorders.

SPEAK: Be the official voice of the ASD community in Calgary and area.

EDUCATE: Increase understanding among the ASD community, allied professionals, policy-makers and the general public

ADVOCATE: Secure and defend the best quality of life for those with ASD throughout their lifespan and their families

PROMOTE: Encourage the advancement of meaningful research and the development of effective treatments options

For more information about our other exciting programs and initiatives visit our website at www.autismcalgary.com

Registration Form (registration begins Jan 2008)

Name & Organization:

Address:

City/Province/State

Postal/Zip Code

Phone #:

Email:

Credit Card Number: Mastercard / Visa (circle)

Credit Card Expiry Date:

Early Bird Registration (Jan 1, 2008 – Extended to June 29, 2008)

** includes: refreshment breaks/ Lunch on own***

Payments: Registration will be accepted by phone, fax, mail, or e-mail. Payment can be made by Cash, Cheque, or Credit Card (Visa or Mastercard.)
Autism Conference Registration form (printable)

Autism Calgary Association

174, 3359 27^th Street NE

Calgary, Alberta, T1Y 5E4

Phone: (403) 250-5033

Fax: (403) 250-2625

Cancellation Policy: An administration charge of $50.00 will be charged for all cancellations up to 30 days before the conference. No Refunds Will Be Granted After That Time.

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