Fostering Social Relationships and Play for Children on the Autism Spectrum
The purpose of this day is to illustrate the principles and practices of the Friend 2 Friend social facilitation model that is designed to address the social, play and friendship needs of children on the autism spectrum and children with other developmental disabilities. The F2F model draws upon best practices to support the inclusion of children with ASD and related social communication disorders in schools and other community settings.
Participants will learn the importance of friendships for children, ages 3-18, and receive practical tips and suggestions on supporting children to build mutual friendships and establishing inclusive classrooms and community environments. Using video, overheads, stories and personal experiences, we will illustrate how to promote acceptance, understanding, friendships and play skills between children with social learning disabilities and their typically developing peers and siblings.
Seminar Overview
8:008:15 / Registration
Welcome
8:25 / What is Autism Spectrum Disorder: The Friend 2 Friend Simulation Game
9:30 / Break
9:45-
11:15 / The Nature of Play and Friendships
Why Friendships Do Not Develop Naturally
11:15 / Lunch Break
12:30 / The Autism Code: Designing Meaningful Social Strategies
2:15 / Break
2:30 / The Autism Code (Continued)
Questions and Answers
3:30 / Adjourn
All San Diego students will graduate with the skills, motivation, curiosity and resilience to succeed in their choice of college and career in order to lead and participate in the society of tomorrow.
About the Speaker
Heather McCracken is the founder and executive director of the Friend 2 Friend Social Learning Society, VancouverBC and mother of three children, one with autism spectrum disorder. As the creator of the Friend 2 Friend Model, she is a sought after international speaker. She actively delivers programs to children in schools and other community settings as well as lectures at post secondary institutes including San FranciscoStateUniversity. Heather is widely published and the author of That’s What’s Different About Me: Helping Children Understand Autism Spectrum Disorder, Learners on the Autism Spectrum: Preparing Highly Qualified Educators, What Does It Feel Like to Have ASC (in Press), and The Autism Code (In press).
Friend 2 Friend Social Learning Society
Friend 2 Friend Social Learning Society is a non-profit charity located in North VancouverBC. Friend 2 Friend has one mandate: to promote mutually rewarding friendships between children on the autism spectrum and related disorders and their peers, siblings and classmates.
With the help of Friend 2 Friend Programs, children enjoy learning about disabilities such as autism spectrum and how they can be an important part of the social success of their peers, sibling and classmates on the autism spectrum.
For more information please visit our website at