ASA's 36th National Conference on Autism Spectrum Disorders (July 13-16, 2005)

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Thursday, July 14, 2005: 1:30 PM-3:00 PM
205
#1643- Peer Play and the Autism Spectrum: Creating Social and Imaginary Worlds Together
This session explores patterns of social and imaginary activity among children on the autism spectrum and typical peers within the context of Integrated Play Groups (IPG). As introduction, key features of the IPG model will be presented.

Presenter:Pamela Wolfberg, Ph.D, San Francisco State University, Assistant Professor, Special Education - Pamela Wolfberg, Ph.D. is Assistant Professor of special education at San Francisco State University and co-founder of the Autism Institute on Peer Relations and Play in California. As creator of the Integrated Play Groups model, she leads efforts to develop inclusive peer play programs for children within North America, Europe and Asia. Her recent books include, Play and Imagination in Children with Autism (1999) and Peer Play and the Autism Spectrum: The Art of Guiding Children’s Socialization and Imagination (2003).
 
This session explores patterns of social and imaginary activity among children on the autism spectrum and typical peers within the context of Integrated Play Groups (IPG). As introduction, key features of the IPG model will be presented. Drawing on current research and practice, case portraits will be used to illustrate how children of diverse ages and abilities acquired capacities for social reciprocity and symbolic representation through guided participation in play. Implications will be discussed in terms of the importance of creating opportunities for children's inclusion in peer play as the culture of childhood.

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