BlogBloghttp://wannaplayprogram.com/blog/2012-04-14T12:14:13ZSquarespaceTACA Family Fun and Autism Fundraiserhttp://wannaplayprogram.com/blog/2012/4/14/taca-family-fun-and-autism-fundraiser.htmlThe Wanna Play Program2012-04-14T12:13:37Z2012-04-14T12:13:37Z

]]>MINI GRANT AVAILABLEhttp://wannaplayprogram.com/blog/2012/4/4/mini-grant-available.htmlThe Wanna Play Program2012-04-04T23:58:09Z2012-04-04T23:58:09Z

Click the link below to download an application for the Bureau of Autism Services mini grant.  Funds from this grant can be used for Wanna Play summer services. 

http://www.dpw.state.pa.us/ucmprd/groups/webcontent/documents/document/p_012000.pdf

Please contact us with any questions. 

]]>New Resourcehttp://wannaplayprogram.com/blog/2012/3/2/new-resource.htmlThe Wanna Play Program2012-03-02T16:20:12Z2012-03-02T16:20:12ZLearn more about the Kaufman Speech Center and their helpful materials here:

http://www.kidspeech.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=812&Itemid=639

]]>Wanna Play Closed September 24thhttp://wannaplayprogram.com/blog/2011/9/15/wanna-play-closed-september-24th.htmlThe Wanna Play Program2011-09-15T16:12:46Z2011-09-15T16:12:46ZWanna Play will be closed Saturday, September 24th.

]]>Action Alert: State Waivers for No Child Left Behindhttp://wannaplayprogram.com/blog/2011/8/15/action-alert-state-waivers-for-no-child-left-behind.htmlThe Wanna Play Program2011-08-15T15:10:32Z2011-08-15T15:10:32ZMelissa Bilash of Advocacy and Consulting for Education wrote a great article for Mom Congress's Parenting website about the changes President Obama put in place for No Child Left Behind.  The article raises interesting issues about how this policy affects families and children.  Click the link below for more information. 

http://www.parenting.com/blogs/mom-congress/melissa-bilash/action-alert-state-waivers-no-child-left-behind

]]>Are you a mom of a child with autism?http://wannaplayprogram.com/blog/2011/6/25/are-you-a-mom-of-a-child-with-autism.htmlThe Wanna Play Program2011-06-25T18:20:48Z2011-06-25T18:20:48ZResearch opportunity

Liz McCaffery is a doctoral student in the Psy.D. program at Chestnut Hill College. She is looking for mother's with children ages 4-10 years old on the spectrum for a research study she is doing regarding their experience with their child's diagnosis.

 

]]>WANNA PLAY IS MOVING!http://wannaplayprogram.com/blog/2011/6/17/wanna-play-is-moving.htmlThe Wanna Play Program2011-06-17T15:12:54Z2011-06-17T15:12:54Z

Starting this Summer Wanna Play is excited to announce our NEW LOCATION! We are located about 5 minutes from our previous spot and are now in a wonderful house located at:


5061 West Chester PIke
Newtown Square, Pa 19073.


This is just past the intersection of Providence Road and West Chester Pike.

BE AWARE! DUE TO TREES IT IS DIFFICULT TO SEE OUR NEW SPACE FROM A DISTANCE. AFTER YOU CROSS THROUGH THE LIGHT AT PROVIDENCE ROAD SLOW DOWN.

We are just past the Family Pet Resort before the sign that says Edgemont Plaza.

Click Map for Directions

]]>Wanna Play Fundraiser Report!http://wannaplayprogram.com/blog/2011/6/17/wanna-play-fundraiser-report.htmlThe Wanna Play Program2011-06-17T15:02:37Z2011-06-17T15:02:37Z

 

Thank you to everyone who came out to support our first annual Fundraising Event.  We want to extend a big THANK YOU to our partner in this event- Kyle's Treehouse.  Kyle's Treehouse is an amazing organization dedicated to empowering all people touched by autism to make effective choices.  They have an amazing support system and a fantastic website.  Please visit and see all the wonderful things they are up to.

 

]]>Announcing OT Summer Camp!http://wannaplayprogram.com/blog/2011/5/26/announcing-ot-summer-camp.htmlThe Wanna Play Program2011-05-26T15:53:18Z2011-05-26T15:53:18ZWanna Play Is excited to offer OT Summer Camp opportunities! Camp will include 

 

Call 610-853-2898 for more information. 

 

]]>Strategies for Successful Playdateshttp://wannaplayprogram.com/blog/2011/4/11/strategies-for-successful-playdates.htmlThe Wanna Play Program2011-04-11T18:34:41Z2011-04-11T18:34:41ZMajority of a child’s experience and learning comes from play and interaction with others.  Most of this play is at its purest form when experienced with peers. In order to be successful with this type of play every child needs to develop certain skills that will make this interaction go well.  When a child has particular challenges, the development of these skills becomes difficult and support is needed to make a playdate situation successful.  The Wanna Play Program offers a list of strategies and techniques to use when your child is ready to begin to have playdates.

            These strategies are focusing on the development of natural peer interaction.  The intended outcome is fun and meaningful relationship being developed between peers. I have found that there are certain underlining themes on all levels of development that are key to success. 

            First I have found that the challenges that a child experiences increases a child’s ability to have fun and have a successful play date.  I suggest adding one new challenge at a time.  The following is a list of some of the things to consider when assessing what a child may experience as a challenge.

 

v A new game

v A addition to a familiar game

v A new child/children

v A new environment

v And new visual addition to a familiar environment

v Auditory distractions and noises.

v The addition of something that is particularly challenging to the child (i.e. writing, speaking, and high cognitive thought

v A medication change

v Illness

v Something that the child would consider a major scheduling change

 

During these playdates the focus should also be on the interaction of the children.  It is beneficial to develop a plan or schedule with your child with a list of games or activities planned for the play date.  If your child is new to play dates or has previously not been successful in playdates, keep the playdates limited to 1 hour at the longest.   I suggest preparation time be spent before the playdate to learn new games or activities and help them to prepare for the play.

 

 

Hope these strategies are successful for you and your family.

 

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