Welcome to the Autism Institute on Peer Relations and Play
This Web
site offers a guide to families, practitioners, researchers and others
seeking to address the unique and complex challenges children on the autism
spectrum experience in peer relations and play.
Our focus
is on advancing local, national and international efforts to establish
inclusive peer socialization programs following the principles and practices
of the
Integrated Play Groups (IPG)
model. The
IPG
model supports children of diverse ages and abilities on the autism spectrum
in natural play experiences with typical peers and siblings within school,
home, and community settings. Adaptations include art, drama, video and
other creative activities of high interest for children and teens.
Based on
award-winning research, the
IPG
model has been found to be effective in enhancing reciprocal social
interaction, communication, play and imagination in children with autism, Asperger's and related social needs.
