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Support autistic children in shared play with peers using this evidence-based curriculum!
Countless children on the autism spectrum spend too much time alone. Without the necessary guidance, they are especially vulnerable to being excluded from their peer group and leading impoverished play lives. First published 20 years ago, this practical guide offers an introduction to the basic principles, tools, and techniques that make up the Integrated Play Groups.® (IPG) model.
Pamela Wolfberg has translated theory into effective and meaningful practice, giving practitioners, parents, and other caregivers the knowledge and skill to start inclusive peer play groups for children at school, home, and in community settings. The second edition has new research and is heavily influenced by the neurodiversity movement. And while aspects of the IPG model have been updated from earlier versions of this work, the original principles and practices are still the same.
It is inspired from deep engagement with people who identify as autistic or neurodivergent, including professionals, scholars, students, advocates, friends, and family members.
"The Integrated Play Groups (IPG) model draws on multiple theoretical perspectives, current research, and best practices to provide opportunities for children with autism to experience and learn within the culture of ALL children - play. This field manual provides abundant guidelines and details to implement the play groups in a variety of settings. This is a wonderful resource for families and professionals. A 'must' for anyone who is interested in supporting the peer play experience of children with autism." — Jane R. Wegner, PhD, director, Schiefelbusch Speech-Language-Hearing Clinic, Intercampus Program in Communicative Disorders, University of Kansas
"This is a wonderful user-friendly resource for parents and educators who understand that quality intervention for young children with autism must include play! Based on award-winning research, Pamela Wolfberg offers practical guidelines for developing Integrated Play Groups. Her assessment, hands-on activities, and detailed strategies give us the tools we need to build fun and meaningful play opportunities for children. This book is another 'must have' on my short list of recommended resources." — Kathleen Quill, PhD, Autism Institute, Boston, Massachusetts
"Here is finally a book about developing social and imaginative play - not only play skills - in children with autism. Pamela Wolfberg beautifully lays out the importance of social and peer play in the lives of all children, and clearly and comprehensively describes the means to foster the development of social communication and play for children with autism who most need it. The descriptions of the steps involved are so clear and easy to follow, and the resources provided are so rich and specific that the easy implementation of the IPG model hides the wealth of information and depth of experience that is distilled into this book." — Mimi W. Lou, PhD, clinical director, Children's Hospital Autism Intervention (CHAI), Children's Hospital & Research Center, Oakland, California
CHAPTER 1: Introduction
MODULE I: Embracing the Spirit of Play - IPG Conceptual Foundation
CHAPTER 2: Insights into Peer Play and Autism
CHAPTER 3: Nature of Play in Autism
CHAPTER 4: Making Peer Play a Priority
TOOLS AND FIELD EXERCISES
Self-Reflection Log
IPG Fidelity Check
MODULE II: Setting the Stage for Play - IPG Program and Environmental Design
CHAPTER 5: Planning Integrated Play Groups
CHAPTER 6: Creating Inclusive Play Spaces
CHAPTER 7: Gathering and Preparing the Players
CHAPTER 8: Structuring the Play Session
TOOLS AND FIELD EXERCISES
Integrated Play Groups Action Plan
Play Area Layout
Play Materials
Player Orientation
Demystifying Autism
Opening and Closing Rituals
Visual Supports
Self-Reflection Log
IPG Fidelity Check
MODULE III
Portraying Children at Play - IPG Assessment Practices
CHAPTER 9
Fundamentals of Meaningful Assessment
CHAPTER 10
Conducting Quality Assessments
TOOLS AND FIELD EXERCISES
Integrated Play Groups Assessment Binder
IPG Assessment Schedule
Play Questionnaire
Play Preference Inventory
IPG Field Notes
Play Observation
Profile of Play Development
IPG Summative Report
Player Focus Groups
Parent/Caregiver Follow-Up Survey
Practice in Naturalistic Observation
Self-Reflection Log
IPG Fidelity Check
MODULE IV
Guided Participation in Play - IPG Facilitation Practices
CHAPTER 11: Nurturing Play Initiations
CHAPTER 12
Guiding Social Communication
CHAPTER 13: Scaffolding Play
CHAPTER 14: Guiding Play in the ZPD
TOOLS AND FIELD EXERCISES
Social Communication Cues
Social Communication Poster
Guided Participation Implementation
Self-Reflection Log
IPG Fidelity Check
CHAPTER 15: Case Illustrations and Conclusion
REFERENCES