Visual schedules and task/activity completion visuals have existed for a long time. These types of interventions or supports have been used for children, both neurotypical and Neurodivergent, to provide help and success with several constructs. They can be created in many ways – pictures, words, dry erase boards, computer programs, etc. I have personally enjoyed…
AutPlay Therapy is an integrative family play therapy framework designed to address the mental health needs of neurodivergent children (autistic, ADHD, learning differences, sensory differences, Tourette syndrome, giftedness/twice exceptional, intellectual developmental disorder, developmental disabilities, etc.). The AutPlay Therapy process can be utilized to address a variety of concerns and need areas that neurodivergent children may…
Children with sensory differences may start to become dysregulated when they enter the lobby or waiting room of a clinic. The lighting, the noise level, specific sounds, the odors, etc. could be extremely uncomfortable or painful for the child. Thus, before the child ever finds themselves in the play therapy room, they have already started…
When I began (around 22 years ago) compiling the protocol/integration for AutPlay® Therapy, I had an understanding of neurodiversity. I had read about the term and concept from Judy Singer and had my own lived experience as a neurodivergent person. I also had an awareness and understating of ableism, primarily pertaining to individuals with physical…
Play is the natural language of all children regardless of diagnosis, disability, or developmental issue. It is the most organic process for children to express troubling thoughts and feelings that are both conscious and unconscious. Play makes learning an enjoyable and engaging experience and provides the best method to impart information needed by children to…
Research supports that autistic individuals are often drawn to technology more so than their neurotypical peers (Goldsmith & LeBlanc, 2004), and incorporating technology-based interventions (especially those that have shown promise in addressing the needs of neurodivergent clients), becomes a logical therapy process. The increasing popularity, affordability, accessibility, and availability of technology devices have influenced research…
It was a Wednesday afternoon and John, a 14-year-old autistic male, was coming in for his third counseling session. He had shared little during his last two sessions and mostly sat and stared around my office. John and I had been working on rapport and by his third session, he had begun to feel comfortable…