BC Mom and daughter take innovative autism program to International Stage
Released on = October 23, 2006, 5:19 pm
Press Release Author = Friend 2 Friend Social Learning Society
Industry = Food & Beverage
Press Release Summary = Vancouver, October 18, 2006 - As part of national autism awareness month, North Vancouver's Heather McCracken announces the release of "That's What's Different About Me! - Helping children understand autism spectrum disorder" a packaged autism awareness program unlike anything else on the market.
Press Release Body = McCracken the founder and executive director of Friend 2 Friend Social Learning Society created the program after receiving requests from parent and professionals from as far away as Australia, Singapore, Hong Kong and Iran wanting to know how they could have Friend 2 Friend Programs in their area.
This one of a kind program uses child-size puppets and specifically tailored scripts which focus on differences, similarities and friendships between children with autism spectrum disorder and their peers. The package includes a DVD (subtitled in 6 UN languages), manual and 5 story and coloring books illustrated by McCracken's 14-year-old daughter Kathryn.
"This groundbreaking work is possibly one of the most important contributions to the field today." Dr. Pamela Wolfberg, Ph.D., San Francisco State University & Co-founder, Autism Institute on Peer Relations and Play
To date, Friend 2 Friend Social Learning Society has visited more than 50,000 children and nearly 30,000 adults throughout B.C. delivering its simple but profound message "we are all different in our own way, being a good friend means accepting differences".