Training for Parents & Professionals
Introductory Training: Fostering Social Relationships
Fostering Social Relationships and Play for Children on the Autism Spectrum
Principles and Practices of the F2F Social Facilitation Model
Presented by Heather McCracken
Seminar Description
The purpose of this session is to illustrate the principles and practices of the Friend 2 Friend social facilitation model that is designed to address the social, play and friendships needs of children on the autism spectrum. The F2F model draws upon best practices to support the inclusion of children with ASD and related social communication disorders in schools and other community settings.
Participants will learn the importance of friendships for children with autism, and receive practical tips and suggestions on supporting children to build mutual friendships and establishing inclusive classrooms and community environments. Using video, overheads, stories and personal experiences, we will illustrate how to promote acceptance, understanding, friendships and play skills between children on the autism spectrum and their typically developing peers and siblings.
Join Us To Discover
- The Importance of play and friendships
- The nature of friendships
- The principles and practices of the F2F Model
- How to enhance social interactions and friendships
- 5 Strategies for fostering social inclusion
- How to design quality programs and activities to support social interactions and friendships
This seminar is suitable for parents, educators, therapists and other practitioners supporting children on the autism spectrum.
Seminar Agenda
Introduction: What is Autism Spectrum Disorder?
- F2F Simulation Game
- Senses and Autism
- Communication and Autism
- I Have the Kind of Mind
- I Want Friends
BREAK
The Nature of Friendships
- What are friendships
- The importance of friendships
- The benefits of friendships
- The functions of friendships
- The desire for friendships
Why Friendships Do Not Develop
- Social styles in ASD
- The social void
- The neglected, rejected and bullied child
LUNCH
Setting the Stage for the Development of Friendships
- Autism demystification
- Tailored prosocial skills (typical peers)
- Social skills – social movement (focus child)
- Regular and continuous support – Overview of the Integrated Play Groups Model
- Get out of the way
BREAK
Key Features of the Friend 2 Friend Model
Questions and Answers
ADJOURN
About the Speaker
Heather McCracken is the founder and executive director of the Friend 2 Friend Social Learning Society in Vancouver, BC and is a mother of three children, one with autism spectrum disorder. As the creator of the Friend 2 Friend Model, she is a sought after international speaker. She actively delivers programs to children in schools and other community settings as well as lectures at the University of BC and San Francisco as well as other post-secondary institutes. Heather is widely published and the author of That’s What’s Different About Me: Helping Children Understand Autism Spectrum Disorder.
