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

by Pamela J. Wolfberg (Author)
Key Phrases: integrated play groups, monitoring play initiations, play group rules, Field Exercise, Play Preference Inventory, Profile of Individual Play Development (more...)

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

Product Description
Picture a childhood void of the joyful images and sensations we associate with play--a childhood lacking in curiosity, diversity and symbolic meaning--a childhood without playmates or friends. Children on the autism spectrum are among those who face serious challenges learning how to play in both social and imaginative ways.

But no longer do these children have to remain lost souls on the fringes of playgrounds and other social gathering places. In Peer Play and the Autism Spectrum: The Art of Guiding Children's Socialization and Imagination, Pamela Wolfberg turns her award-winning research into a practical manual for practitioners and caregivers seeking to address the unique and complex challenges children on the autism spectrum experience.

This practical guide offers an introduction to the basic principles, tools and techniques that comprise the Integrated Play Groups model, designed to support children of diverse ages and abilities on the autism spectrum (novice players) in mutual play experiences with typical peers and siblings (expert players). Small groups of children regularly play together under the guidance of an adult facilitator (play guide) through a carefully tailored system of support. The emphasis is on maximizing children's developmental potential as well as intrinsic desire to play, socialize and form meaningful relationships with peers. At the same time, an equally important focus is on teaching the peer group to be more accepting, responsive and inclusive of children who relate and play in different ways. This innovative book is full of forms, checklists and other tools to facilitate implementation.

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Product Details

• Paperback: 288 pages
• Publisher: Autism Asperger Publishing Company (March 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.com Sales Rank: #228,416 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

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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 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

13 of 14 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 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.

5 of 6 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

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.