Pamela Wolfberg, Ph.D.
Associate Professor

Autism Spectrum Program (Project Mosaic)
Department of Special Education

Educational Background

Ph.D. (1994), University of California, Berkeley with SFSU
M.A. (1988), San Francisco State University
National Diploma (1983), Ludwig-Maximilians University, Munich, Germany
B.A. (1979), Kent State University

Pamela Wolfberg, Ph.D. is Associate Professor and Director of the Autism Spectrum graduate program (Project Mosaic) in the Department of Special Education. Her primary teaching responsibilities include courses in the areas of autism and mild to moderate disabilities and directed studies at the master's and doctoral level.

Research Interests

Primary research interests center on peer relations, play and imagination, and childhood culture as related to the social inclusion of children on the autism spectrum. Dr. Wolfberg has published extensively in peer reviewed journals and academic texts focused on these topics. As originator of the Integrated Play Groups model and founder of the Autism Institute on Peer Relations and Play, she leads efforts to develop inclusive peer play programs at the local, national and international level. She is currently serving as Principal Investigator on major research and training grants including: Integrated Play Groups: Promoting Symbolic Play, Social Engagement and Communication with Peers across Settings in Children with Autism (Autism Speaks) and Project Mosaic: Preparing Highly Qualified Educators to Meet the Unique Needs of Students with Autism in Diverse Settings (U.S. Department of Education, OSEP). She is also associate editor for Autism: International Journal of Research and Practice and on the editorial board of Research and Practice for Persons with Severe Disabilities. She has an active agenda as an invited international speaker and is the recipient of several eminent awards for her scholarship, research, and service to the community.

Selected Publications

Books:

Wolfberg, P.J. (in press/1999). Play and imagination in children with autism (2nd Revised Edition) New York: Teachers College Press, Columbia University.

Dunn Buron, K. & Wolfberg, P.J. (Eds.). (2008) Learners on the autism spectrum: Preparing highly qualified educators. Shawnee Mission, KS: Autism Asperger Publishing Company.

Wolfberg, P.J. (2003). Peer play and the autism spectrum: The art of guiding children’s socialization and imagination (Integrated Play Groups Field Manual) Shawnee Mission, KS: Autism Asperger Publishing Company.

Chapters:

Neufeld, D. & Wolfberg, P.J. (in press). From novice to expert: Guiding children on the autism spectrum in Integrated Play Groups. In Schaefer, C. (Ed.) Play therapy for preschool children. Washington, D.C: American Psychological Association.

Wolfberg, P.J. (2008). Including children with autism in the culture of play with peers. In C. Forlin & J M-G Lion (Eds). Reforms, Inclusion and Teacher Education: Towards a New Era of Special Education in Asia-Pacific Regions. Center for Advancement in Special Education, Hong Kong University.

Wolfberg, P.J. (2008). Die Bedeutung des Spiels fuer Peer-Beziehungen und soziale Inklusion in paedagogischen Einrichtungen fuer Klein- und Vorschulkinder (translation: The meaning of play for peer relations and social inclusion in pedagogical settings for young children) In B. Ytterhus & M. Kreuzer (Eds.) „Dabei sein ist nicht alles“ – Soziale Inklusion und Marginalisie-rung in integrativen Gruppen des Kindergartens – Eine Anthologie. (translation: Being nearby isn’t everything – Social inclusion and marginalization in integrated groups within early childhood settings  – An Anthology. International Buchprojeket, Universität Trondheim mit Hochschule Niederrhein.

Wolfberg, P.J., McCracken, H., & Tuchel, T. (2008). Fostering peer play and friendships: Creating a culture of inclusion (pp. 182-207). In K. Buron & P.J. Wolfberg (Eds.). Learners on the autism spectrum: Preparing highly qualified educators. Shawnee Mission, KS: Autism Asperger Publishing Company.

Wolfberg, P.J. (2007). Essays on play oriented therapies, Integrated Play Groups model, social play, symbolic play, spontaneous play, and imagination. In B. Myles, T. Cooper Swanson, J. Holverstott (Eds.) Autism spectrum disorders: A handbook for parents and professionals. Westport, CT: Greenwood Publishing.

Wolfberg, P.J. & Schuler, A.L. (2006). Promoting social reciprocity and symbolic representation in children with ASD: Designing quality peer play interventions (p. 180 – 219). In T. Charman & W. Stone (Eds.). Early social communication in Autism Spectrum Disorders. NY: Guilford Publications.

Wolfberg, P.J. (2006) Foreword. In McCracken, H, That’s what’s different about me: Friend 2 Friend Social Learning model. Shawnee Mission, KS: Autism Asperger Publishing Company.

Wolfberg, P.J. (2006). Regular and continuous support: Integrated Play Groups (IPG) Model (p. 32-36). In McCracken, H, That’s what’s different about me: Friend 2 Friend Social Learning model. Shawnee Mission, KS: Autism Asperger Publishing Company.

Wolfberg, P.J. (2005) Foreword. In J. Lowell & T. Tuchel, My best friend Will. Shawnee Mission, KS: Autism Asperger Publishing.

Wolfberg, P.J. (2005) Definitions for imagination, Integrated Play Groups (IPG) model, spontaneous play, social play and symbolic play. In J. Neisworth &  P.S. Wolfe (Eds). The Autism Encyclopedia. Baltimore, MD: Paul H. Brookes.

Odom, S.L., Zercher, C., Marquart, J., Li, S., Sandall, S., & Wolfberg, P.J. (2001). Social relationships of children with disabilities and their peers in inclusive preschool classrooms. In S.L. Odom (Ed.), Widening the circle: Including children with disabilities in preschool programs. (p. 61-80) New York: Teachers College Press, Columbia University.

Schuler, A.L. & Wolfberg, P.J. (2000). Promoting peer socialization and play: The art of scaffolding. In B. Prizant & A. Wetherby (Eds.) Language issues in autism and pervasive developmental disorder: A transactional developmental perspective. (p. 225-227) Baltimore, MD: Paul H. Brookes.

Wolfberg, P.J. (1995) Enhancing children's play. In K.A. Quill (Ed.) Teaching children with autism: Strategies to enhance communication and socialization. New York: Delmar Publishers Inc.

Journals:

Wolfberg, P.J. LePage, P. & Cooke, E. (in press) Innovations in Teacher Education for Inclusive Education. International Journal for Whole Schooling.

Duda, S, & Wolfberg, P.J. (2007). A Grandparent’s Journey: Building an Inclusive Community for Children with Autism. Autism Spectrum Quarterly. 4, 16 – 18.

 McCracken, H. & Wolfberg, P.J. (2006) Autism awareness programs: Demystify, not identify. Autism-Asperger’s Digest. 5, 42-47 (follow-up to Friend 2 Friend: Fostering Mutual Friendships for Children with ASD in 2005 issue, Vol, 1, 6-9)

Wolfberg, P.J. (2005). Play! It’s more than just a button on the remote: Including children on the autism spectrum in the culture of childhood. Autism Spectrum Quarterly. 2, 8-12.

Wolfberg, P.J. (2004). Guiding children on the autism spectrum in peer play: Translating theory and research into effective and meaningful practice. The Journal of Developmental and Learning Disorders. 8, 7-25.

Boucher, J. & Wolfberg, P.J. (Eds.) (2003) Play [Special Issue] Autism:The International Journal of Research and Practice. 7 (4).

Boucher, J. & Wolfberg, P.J. (Eds.) (2003) Editorial. Autism: The International Journal of Research and Practice. 7 (4) 339 – 346.

Yang, T., Wolfberg, P.J., Wu, S, Hwu, P. (2003) Supporting children on the autism spectrum in peer play at home and school: Piloting the Integrated Play Groups model in Taiwan. Autism: The International Journal of Research and Practice. 7 (4) 437-453.

Wolfberg, P.J. (2003). Integrierte-spielgruppen: Förderung kommunikation und sozialen fähigkeiten bei autistichen Kindern. Forum Logopaedie (Journal for Speech and Language Association of Germany)

Wolfberg, P.J. (2000) Making make-believe: Enhancing communication and social skills through Integrated Play Groups. Autism - Asperger's Digest, 3, 12-17.

Wolfberg, P.J. (2000) Autism and play [Review of the book Autism and play by Beyer & Gammeltoft ] Autism: The International Journal of Research and Practice. 5 (1) 95-96.

Wolfberg, P.J. & Schuler, A.L.  (1999). Fostering peer interaction, imaginative play and spontaneous language in children with autism, Child Language Teaching and Therapy Journal. 15 (1), 41-52.

Wolfberg, P.J., Zercher, C., Lieber, J., Capell, K., Matias, S. G., Hanson, M., & Odom, S. (1999). "Can I play with you?" Peer culture in inclusive preschool programs. Journal for the Association of Persons with Severe Handicaps. 24, (2), 69-84.

Odom, S. L., Horn, E. M., Marquart, J., Hanson, M. J., Wolfberg, P., Beckman, P. J., Lieber J., Li, S., Schwartz, I., Janko, S., Sandall, S. (1999). On the forms of inclusion: Organizational context and individualized service models. Journal of Early Intervention, 22 (3), 185-199.

Lieber, J., Capell, K., Sandall, S., Wolfberg, P.J., Horn, E., & Beckman. (1998) Inclusive preschool programs: Teachers’ beliefs and practices. Early Childhood Research Quarterly, 13, 87-105.

Hanson, M.J., Wolfberg, P.J., Zercher, C., Morgan, M., Gutierrez, S., Beckman, P., &  Barnwell, D.  (1998) The culture of inclusion: Recognizing diversity on multiple levels. Special issue on the inclusion of young children with disabilities. Early Childhood Research Quarterly, 13 (1), 185 - 209.

Hanson, M.J., Wolfberg, P.J., Zercher, C., Morgan, M., Gutierrez, S., Beckman, P., &  Barnwell, D.  (1997). Today's research, tomorrow's practices: Highlights from Early Childhood Research Quarterly, Young Children. The Journal for the National Association for the Education of Young Children, 68-69.

Wolfberg, P.J. (1995) Supporting children with autism in play groups with typical peers: A description of a model and related research. International Play Journal, 3, 38-51.

Wolfberg, P. J, & Schuler, A.L. (1993) Integrated Play Groups: A model for promoting the social and cognitive dimensions of play in children with autism. Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders, 23, (3), 467-489.

Schuler, A.L., Gonsier-Gerdin, J. & Wolfberg, P. J. (1990). The efficacy of speech and language intervention: Autism. Seminars in Speech and Language, 11, (4), 242-255.