What is AutPlay Therapy?

AutPlay Therapy is a neurodiversity affirming framework for implementing play therapy to address the mental health needs of neurodivergent children and their families. AutPlay conceptualizes psychological counselling therapy and approaches of play therapy through a diversity understood and informed process for working with neurodivergent clients. 

The essence of AutPlay Therapy

AutPlay is a neurodiversity informed and affirming collaborative process designed to value the individual child and highlight their strengths as well as areas of intervention, goals, and approaches for addressing the needs of the child and the family.

Therapeutic benefits of Play for neurodiverse clients

The therapeutic powers of play (core change agents) are understood in addressing a variety of possible needs including emotional regulation struggles, social navigation needs, engagement/connection growth, anxiety and fear reduction, sensory challenges, executive functioning struggles, depression and self-esteem issues, trauma issues, advocacy, stigmatization, identity appreciation, the social model of disability, autonomy, inclusion needs, and parent/child relationship struggles. 

Children are valued as partners in the AutPlay Therapy process along with the therapist and the parent. As much as possible, the child’s thoughts, feelings, and voice are included into the therapy process, goals, and plan. Children should have a say in what they want to achieve and the process to achieve it. Children should be clearly informed that they can freely share what they think, like, and do not like. In AutPlay, children are often asked if they liked a play intervention and if they felt the intervention was helpful to them. Throughout the AutPlay process, children are empowered and learn to value themselves, their thoughts and feelings, and how to advocate for their needs.

AutPlay Therapy functions ideally as a family play therapy approach involving both the child and the parent in the therapeutic process. Using a play therapy base that is a natural language for the child enables the parent to be involved with their child in a way that builds healthy relationship and addresses therapy goals within a fun, connecting, and affirming process.