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Congratulations Authors
Recipients of the Autism Society of America Literary Work of the Year Award (Education Division)
Dear Authors,

We are thrilled to share the news that we have been selected as recipients of the Autism Society of America Literary Work of the Year Award (Education Division) for our edited volume “Learners on the Autism Spectrum: Preparing Highly Qualified Educators”. We wish to congratulate each and every one of you for your outstanding contribution that has made this award possible.

We are also extremely grateful to Dr. Kathleen Quill for her nomination. It is especially fitting, since her earlier edited text is what inspired us to reach out to this new generation of readers.

As co-editors, we have been invited to accept this award on behalf of all the authors at the upcoming ASA National Conference July 22-25, which will be held in St. Charles, Illinois (outside Chicago). Naturally, we hope that you will be able to join us in accepting this honor. Here is a link to the press release.

From the bottom of our hearts, thank you for collaborating with us on this truly phenomenal collective work. We hope to see you all this summer.

Best wishes,
Pamela Wolfberg and Kari Dunn Buron
Friend 2 Friend
June 3, 2009: North Shore Outlook
When Heather McCracken’s autistic son Iain started elementary school she realized very few people “get it.” “His peers didn’t get him and most of his teachers didn’t get him,” she remembers. Autism is an invisible disability. So, if a child’s behaviour seems “odd or peculiar,” most people don’t understand why. Although McCracken’s son’s kindergarten teacher was keen to learn about autism and help Iain she didn’t have the tools.
→ Read the Article
‘That’s What’s Different About Me’
Comox Valley Child Development Association: Spring 2009 Newsletter
‘That’s What’s Different About Me’ is a unique and innovative program that helps children understand differences in children. Using large hand puppets, the program centres around the story of three friends, Crystal, Angela and Freddie, and illustrates how they implement the ‘seven basic friendship tips’ with the guidance of their teachers.
→ Read the Article
Kudos to "Playing & Making Friends" contributors
May 30, 2009: North Vancouver, BC
Friend 2 Friend Social Learning Society would like to thank and acknowledge all the people and organizations for their generous contributions in support of our first fundraising event, "Playing and Making Friends in our Community"
→ More Information
Taking a playful approach
May 24, 2009: North Shore News
In Playing and Making Friends in our Community, a dance and auction in support of the Friend 2 Friend Social Learning Society. Featuring the Adam Woodall Band, Saturday, May 30 at 7 p.m. at Memorial recreation centre, 100-block East 23rd St., North Vancouver. Tickets: $20. Info: 604-528-0560 or www.friend2friendsociety.org.
→ Read the Article
Friend 2 Friend - Integrated Play Groups Program
Proud Finalist for the Scotiabank & United Way Community Spirit Award
Awards Ceremony to be held Thursday, February 26, 2009 at the Westin Bayshore Vancouver BC Canada
→ www.uwlm.com
Excellence in Community Partnership Award 2007
BC Centre for Ability
The Burnaby Supported Child Development Program was happy to recognize Ms. Heather McCracken of the Friend 2 Friend Learning Society as the other recipient of the 2007 Community Partner Award.
→ More Info
» Kudos to F2F's Team Calgary
Puppet show makes friendships easier
Calgary Herald | By Terence Leung
Misconceptions about autism can come in many shapes and forms, much like the disorder itself.
→ Read the Article
Caring for Communities: Vancouver Foundation
July 2nd, 2007 ~ Children and Families
Autistic children often struggle in social situations and as a result they have trouble forming friendships with other kids. But a new pilot project is helping bring autistic children together with their peers in a safe environment. Integrated Play Groups promote the understanding and acceptance of autism through friendship.
→ Watch the Video
That's What's Different About Me
March-April 2007: Autism Aspergers Digest Magazine
"We are all different in our own way; being a good friend means accepting differences."
→ Read the Article
Taking simple steps to friendship
San Mateo Daily Journal | By Heather Murtagh
Recognizing the steps needed to interact with others poses a difficult problem for many children, particularly when dealing with conditions such as autism.
→ Read the Article
Learning how to be a friend
The Daily Courier, Kelowna BC
On Nov. 10, Friend 2 Friend came to our school. Friend 2 Friend are three grown-ups that teach you what autism is.
→ Read the Article
Audio Interview of Heather MCCracken
This short piece about Friend 2 Friend was put together by local journalist Andy Prest as part of a UBC School of Journalism radio documentary project.
→ Listen to the Interview
Canadian Living Magazine
January 2007
An article about Friend 2 Friend entitled “And they call it puppet love”.
→ www.canadianliving.com
The Special Times
September/October 2006
A Newsletter for Parents and Caregivers of Children with Special Needs
→ Read the Newsletter
Innovative & Unique New Program Aims To Demystify Autism in Young Children
HalifaxLive.com | Wednesday, 05 July 2006
There is comfort in friendship, Peace in understanding. Puppets help establish roots for special understanding.
→ Read the Article: www.halifaxlive.com/...
Book reaches out to peers of autistic kids
North Shore News | By Joanna Habdank
“I stood outside the classroom peeking in, powerless to enter because I didn't want my son's third-grade teacher to think I was interfering. I just stood there, helplessly watching my son fall apart,” writes Heather McCracken.
→ Read the Article
Caring for Communities
Shaw TV Channel 4 & Vancouver Foundation
Wed, May 31, 2006 at 10pm and Sat, June 3, 2006 at 10am
Caring for Communities will feature the Friend 2 Friend Programs.
→ Watch the Video at www.caringforcommunities.com after the show airs on Shaw TV Channel 4.
Finding keys to friendship
By Roger Knox
Kids on the Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) couldn't have a better friend in Vancouver's Heather McCracken.
→ Read the Article: www.saobserver.net/...
“Your son is so lucky to have a mother who has been so willing to discover how his mind works, and we are so fortunate that you have chosen to share your simple but profound message with all of us. Thank you so much.”
→ Susan Rampone SLP, Student Support Service, School District #28, Kelowna BC
CTV News - Your Health with Dr. Rhonda Low
Wednesday Feb 23, 2005
Friend 2 Friend will be the topic in an upcoming show of CTV News - Your Health with Dr. Rhonda Low.
→ Transcript of the Show: www.bcctv.ca/...
The Bill Good Show, CKNW: Interview with Heather McCracken of Friend 2 Friend Social Learning Society
→ www.cknw.com
Autism Asperger's Digest “Friend 2 Friend: Fostering Mutual Friendships for Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder” by Heather McCracken
→ www.autismdigest.com
Vancouver Sun “Kids learn how autism feels” by Michelle Ng, December 20, 2004
→ Read the Article
Dear Heather and presenting team,
Thank you so much for your powerful presentations at Tomsett Elementary. Both the puppet shows and the simulation game presentation were exceptionally well received by the children. Your manner of being very clear with the children, giving them specific information about different kinds of minds and all the active engagement makes for a very engaging presentation. In the journals all children wrote about Ian! Through his art work and through the specific things you said about your son, boys and girls were able to develop a picture in their minds (and in their hearts!) about someone whose world is quite different from theirs. You constantly referred to “having a mind that...” - what a wonderful way to tell children that each of us has a different mind and we are all different.
Sincerely,
→ Sabina Harpe, Principal, Tomsett Elementary, Richmond BC
“... when you and your great team were here and I am hearing excellent feedback about your presentations. The grade six class had a very lively discussion after their simulation game and they were all so focused on their own stims and exploring that idea, that the student with ASD was just one of the group. I talked with him after school and he was feeling very comfortable about all that transpired. The grade one class had an excellent debrief and were able to tell the teacher all the pertinent points of what they did and should have learned. Great stuff!”
→ Lynn Smith Mainstream Support Teacher, Delta BC
CBC Radio Afternoon Show with Kathryn Gretsinger, March 24, 2004
North Shore News “Making Better Friendships” March 21, 2004
→ www.nsnews.com
Volunteer Vancouver 2004 Recognition Awards Finalist: Friend 2 Friend Social Learning Society was a proud finalist in the 2004 Volunteer Vancouver Recognition Awards in the category Community Service Award (Group). The awards ceremony was held April 19th, 2004. For more information about the 2004 Recognition Awards please visit Volunteer Vancouver's website:
→ www.volunteervancouver.ca.
“An especially noteworthy program is 'Friend 2 Friend', which was developed by Heather McCracken (2002), a parent of a child with autism in Vancouver, B.C., Canada. Using life-sized puppets, performance are tailored for different age groups to teach friendship skills and educate peers about autism from a child's perspective.” page 60 - Pamela J Wolfberg, PhD, Peer Play and Autism Spectrum: The Art of Guiding Children's Socialization and Imagination.
In January, 2003 we were nominated and short-listed for the United Way of the Lower Mainland 2002 Celebration of Community Award which celebrates a community or neighborhood in the Lower Mainland that has shown outstanding spirit by coming together to improve the quality of life for people in the community.
“Heather came into both my son's preschools in October, 2002 and did a presentation to the children about what it was like for him. The kids loved it and they understand my son better and I believe with the help of Heathers puppets, they look at my son and accept him. Autism is spoken about in the class and there is no stigma attached to it. In fact, the kids are the ones that fill me in on what he says and does and they really look out for him. I feel that Heather's puppets helped pave the way and I encourage you to have a look at her website and encourage you to have her come to your school for your child.”
→ Cyndi Gerlach, Parent
“The Grade two class in which I work recently had the opportunity to see the Friend 2 Friend puppet presentation. It was marvelous. What a clever idea! I have been encouraging all classes to see this puppet show if they get the opportunity. It would benefit all students and not just those with a special needs classmate.”
→ Wendy Holtan, Autism Support Worker
“As a teacher, I also was very impressed with and appreciated the excellent resource package which contained pertinent information and follow-up class activities. Friend 2 Friend is a very worthwhile and much needed presentation for our schools.”
→ Louise Larochelle, Teacher
“Wow! What a fabulous presentation (Simulation Game). My class & I are very fortunate to have had the opportunity to take part in this presentation.”
→Maureen Schmid, Teacher
“The presentation was super, the first I've seen of this nature. The students loved the puppets.”
→ Ms. Stewart, Teacher
“Thanks for providing a wonderful opportunity for the children @ Fromme to learn about children with ASD.. What an enjoyable presentation!!”
→ Linda Mogensen, Teacher
“A very enjoyable presentation, geared very appropriately to the age group. The children were very attentive.”
→ Susan Roy, Teacher
“My experience with the presentations by Friend 2 Friend at three different elementary schools in North Vancouver was extremely positive. The staff of all three schools were overwhelmingly impressed with the presentations. They felt that the students understood the message and had learned from the presentation. They also felt the discussions after had been invaluable.”
→ Barbara Swankey LST, Argyle Family of Schools