Friend 2 Friend’s Blog

Fostering Play and Friendships for Individuals on the Autism Spectrum

Archive for the ‘News’ Category

Discussion of current news stories that relates to the Friend 2 Friend community.

HOT Off the Press!!!!

Posted by Friend 2 Friend on September 14, 2009

Demystifying Autism - the F2F Simulation Package Program

Click to go to our On-line Bookstore

Have you ever wondered what the world is like for a person with autism? Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) is a developmental disability that affects an individual’s ability to process sensory, communication and social information. A new tool entitled Demystifying Autism: the Friend 2 Friend Simulation Game Program has been created to help us all better understand autism. This program is a sensory and communication educational tool designed to promote an understanding of autism for children ages 11 through 18, and adults. The goal of this program is to foster an understanding of individuals on the autism within schools and other community settings and to foster social relations, play and friendships between individuals on the autism spectrum and their typically developing peers and siblings. This publication is the second offering from North Vancouver-based author Heather McCracken, founder and executive director of the not-for-profit Friend 2 Friend Social Learning Society and a parent of three children, one on the autism spectrum.

What others say….

 The Friend 2 Friend Simulation Game program changed our lives. It completely transformed my son’s experience at school – from being an outcast, to having his peers accept him – and actually be interested in who he is as a person. One of the most powerful outcomes of this program has been the willingness of teachers and classmates to embrace my son for exactly who he is. I’ll never forget what the Friend 2 Friend Simulation Game program has done for our family. Every school needs this program!!!

Lynn Skotnitsky, Parent, Vancouver BC

 This program helped our students develop friendship skills, to relate to, play with, and socialize with a peer with ASD.  All in all, the social interaction among our students had been enhanced through their participation in this program. 

Rosita Tam
Vice-principal, Kenneth Gordon School

 Brava! Once again, Heather McCracken has created an exemplary program to help children, teens and adults gain insight and embrace the autism experience. The Friend 2 Friend Simulation Game is a must for promoting genuine inclusion by building empathy, understanding and acceptance of people who relate, communicate, and think differently than those in the mainstream. This powerful program has already made a huge impact on the lives of many, and will surely transform generations to come.

Pamela Wolfberg,Ph.D.,  San Francisco State University

Autism Institute on Peer Relations and Play

 The package can be ordered through the Friend 2 Friend Social Learning Society on line bookstore at http://www.friend2friendsociety.org/bookstore/index.php

Posted in Events & Announcements, News | Comments Off

We’ve Got New Puppets!

Posted by Friend 2 Friend on May 8, 2009

We are pleased to announce the arrival of our new puppets — a boy and two girls! May, Roger, & Emma arrived on May 4th @ 9:47am, weighing 6lbs 7oz each.

A new puppet play featuring our young starlets will be introduced in September, 2009.

To book a F2F autism demystification presentation, complete our on-line booking request form at:

http://www.friend2friendsociety.org/demystification/form.php

Can I Play Too?

Posted in General Discussion, News | Comments Off

We’re on TV!

Posted by Friend 2 Friend on February 2, 2009

The Friend 2 Friend IPG programs have been nominated for the United Way Celebration of Community Award! Each of the nominees was filmed and CTV-BC has been showing a short clip about our program. Keep your eyes peeled. We’ll find out about the award on February 26… fingers crossed.

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Play & Imagination gets an update

Posted by Friend 2 Friend on February 2, 2009

Play & ImaginationPlay & Imagination in Children with Autism by our friend Pamela Wolfberg has been updated. This second edition is now available from our on-line bookstore at:

http://www.friend2friendsociety.org/bookstore/index.php

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