Peer Play and the Autism Spectrum: The Art of Guiding Children's Socialization and Imagination [Paperback]

Pamela J. Wolfberg (Author)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 193128217X | ISBN-13: 978-1931282178 | Publication Date: March 1, 2003

Many children on the autism spectrum spend inordinate amounts of time alone pursuing repetitive and unimaginative activities. Without appropriate intervention, they are especially vulnerable to being excluded from their peer group and leading impoverished play lives. This practical guide offers an introduction to the basic principles, tools and techniques that comprise the Integrated Play Groups model. Pamela Wolfberg essentially translates theory into effective and meaningful practice, giving practitioners, parents and other caregivers the tools to initiate peer play groups for children in school, home and community settings.

Editorial Reviews

Review

Based on award-winning research, Pamela Wolfberg offers practical guidelines for developing Intergrated Play Groups. -- Kathleen Quill, Ph.D., Autism Institute, Boston, Massachusetts

Here is finally a book about developing social and imaginative play--not only play skills--in children with autism. -- Mimi W. Lou, Ph.D., clinical director, Children's Hospital Autism Intervention (CHAI), Children's Hospital & Research Center, Oakland, California

This field manual provides abundant guidelines and details to implement the play groups in a variety of settings. --Jane R. Wegner, Ph.D., CCC-SLP, director, Schiefelbusch Speech-Language-Hearing Clinic, Intercampus Program in Communicative Disorders, University of Kansas

About the Author

Pamela J. Wolfberg, Ph.D., is co-founder of the Autism Institute on Peer Play Relations and Play-Center for Intergrated Play Groups and adjunct faculty at San Francisco State University. She leads seminars for professionals and families throughout the United States and abroad, and is widely published in academic texts, peer-reviewed journals, and books. Her book Play and Imagination in Children with Autism is based on her doctoral dissertation, for which she received a distinguished award from the University of California, Berkeley.

Product Details

• Paperback: 288 pages
• Publisher: Autism Asperger Publishing Company (March 1, 2003)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 193128217X
• ISBN-13: 978-1931282178
• Product Dimensions: 10.9 x 8.4 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.8 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (5 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #99,806 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

18 of 18 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent, Practical and Refreshing, October 25, 2003

By 

Anna Martin - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Peer Play and the Autism Spectrum: The Art of Guiding Children's Socialization and Imagination (Paperback)

This book is an excellent practical resource for promoting play in children with autism or ASD. This book begins from a philosophy that incorporates and respects all children. It provides numerour practical resources and instructions for setting up integrated play groups. It incorporates research and resources. A refreshing book I can't wait to apply to children with ASD in my occupational therapy practice

17 of 18 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The best book there is to help your child overcome autism., January 2, 2006

By 

Katy in San Francisco (San Francisco, CA United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Peer Play and the Autism Spectrum: The Art of Guiding Children's Socialization and Imagination (Paperback)

This book has been the single most important reference book I've used to help my son overcome autism.

Two years ago -- my 4 year old son didn't know how to relate to other children, he didn't speak to other children, he would just stare at them as if they were bugs he was studying. Using the methods expertly outlined in this magnificent book -- my son now plays with others, chats away with them, and has learned much more about how to function in the neuro-typical world. Since the business of children is play -- lack of play skills keeps most children with autism from taking part in childhood activities.

Autism is a communicative and social disorder, this book did more than I could possibly say to help me learn how to teach my son to communicate and to play with others. This book taught me, and can teach all parents and caregivers, that we ourselves can do so much to help our children overcome autism's ill effects, and the basic core of that is in helping them learn how to play.

7 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars One of the many tools to use with treating PDD, February 21, 2006

By 

Olivia G (Ohio) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Peer Play and the Autism Spectrum: The Art of Guiding Children's Socialization and Imagination (Paperback)

There is so much out there about Autism, classified as a pervasive developmental and neuropsychiatric disorder, whose causes are not fully understood. I feel this book is not limited to those with PDD or ASD; it is useful for any child, as other reviewers have mentioned.

Some of the techniques that may be useful in treating a child with PDD, are the systems used in Integrated Play Groups, so well outlined in this book. It seems particularly valuable in mainstreaming a child into "neuro-typical" culture, something that we caregivers want for our loved ones with PDD.

However please remember, in spite of the tone of this book, that with Autism Spectrum Disorders there are no silver bullets, and "play therapy" should not be seen as the end all of treatments for a child with PDD. It should, at best, be viewed as one of the many tools at a caregiver's disposal.