That's What's Different About Me
Helping Children Understand Autism Spectrum Disorder
By Heather McCracken
www.asperger.net

The program centers 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. Included in the program kit is:

• an interactive DVD of the puppet play with a "What Did Crystal Learn" review
• an implementation manual
• five children's coloring/story books

Unlike anything else on the market, That's What's Different About Me! is designed for use in classrooms and homes, and is specifically targeted to children ages 3-10. It provides children with information about autism in an age-appropriate and sensitive manner, creating a truly inclusive school environment while teaching a respect for diversity. Autism demystification is central to fostering mutual friendships between children with autism and their peers, siblings and classmates. As McCracken states, "All children, regardless of their unique challenges and gifts, have the intrinsic need to play and make friends. Children with autism are no different -- they just express this need differently."

This full-packaged program for promoting autism awareness in young children not only cultivates successful social interactions, but gives families the confidence that their son or daughter with ASD can go to school, make friends, and just play with other children.

This Friend 2 Friend Program publication is available online from the Autism Asperger Publishing Company website --> www.asperger.net/bookstore_9727.htm

--> Watch the DVD Intro

What Does It Feel Like to Have Autism Spectrum Condition?
Friend 2 Friend Simulation Game Program (in press)
Friend 2 Friend Simulation Game Program Package is designed for self-use by educators, parents and others supporting children aged 10-18 on the autism spectrum in inclusive classrooms or community settings. The package contains an interactive DVD of the Simulation Game, implementation manual and props for use during the game.

Dunn Buron, K. & Wolfberg, P.J. (Eds.) (in press). Learners on the Autism Spectrum: Preparing Highly Qualified Educators Shawnee Mission, KS: Autism Asperger Publishing Company.
Contributors: Tony Attwood, Kari Dunn-Buron, Simon Baron-Cohen, Winnie Dunn, Carol Gray, Paula Jacobsen, Cathy Pratt, Gary Mesibov with Victoria Shea, Nancy Minshew with Diane Williams, Brenda Smith Myles, Diane Twachtman-Cullen, Michelle Garcia Winner, Pamela Wolfberg with Heather McCracken & Tara Tuchel

McCracken, H. (2005). Friend 2 Friend: Fostering mutual friendships for children with ASD. Autism-Asperger Digest, Jan-Feb, 6 - 15. www.autismdigest.com

McCracken, H (2005). Friend 2 Friend’s Programs Help Children with Autism Feel Safe to Say “I am Autistic Too”. Autism Spectrum Quarterly. 2, 8-12. Wolfberg, P.J. (2005). www.asquarterly.com

McCracken, H. (2005) Fostering Mutual Friendships for Children with ASD - The Friend 2 Friend Model. Autism Society of America National Conference, Nashville TN

Wolfberg, P.J., McCracken, H. and Tuchel. T (2004) Fostering Peer Play and Friendships in Children on the Autism Spectrum. Autism Society of America National Conference, Washington Seattle

Wolfberg, P.J., McCracken, H. (2005) Including Children on the Autism Spectrum: Fostering Peer Play and Friendships, Hawaii International Conference on Education, Honolulu Hawaii, 2006

Wolfberg, P. J., McCracken, H. and Tuchel, T. (2005) Fostering Peer Play and Friendships in Children on the Autism Spectrum. Council for Exceptional Children, Salt Lake City Utah 2006