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Learning social skills can be a complex process, especially for a child with an autism spectrum disorder (ASD). Passport to Friendship is an engaging DVD that presents a step-by-step approach to helping young children with ASD learn to play with other kids.
Using clear examples, insights from parents, and expert commentary by Hilary Baldi of the Behavioral Intervention Association, this illuminating film for parents and educators demonstrates how to build structure and predictability into peer play to help a child with ASD improve his interaction skills. Passport to Friendship features several play dates, each with a pair of preschool-aged children (one with ASD), supervised by an adult. These vignettes illustrate the tips and techniques to set up and facilitate positive peer play:
- Create physical boundaries for the play area
- Limit choices of toys and activities
- Incorporate visual supports (e.g., choiceboard, turn-taking indicator, etc.)
- Choose familiar activities
- Include the playmate's activity preferences
- Provide a balance of activities (sensory motor, turn-taking, construction play, pretend play)
- Review the play date routine (choices, house rules, incentives)
Once a child is able to stay in the play space, respond to the peer, and indicate his preferences, parents can begin to reduce their involvement, increase the duration of play dates, and arrange for more play dates with a variety of play partners. The additional resources (text files accessible by computer) list tried-and-true peer play activities with simple instructions--from rough-and-tumble games to creative ideas for construction play--giving parents ample material for creating fun and instructive play opportunities for their child with autism.
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