AutPlay®, EMDR, and Trauma Informed Integration: Supporting Neurodivergent Children Across Settings (In Person, Springfield, MO, and Live Webinar option) with Jackie Flynn

Presenters: Jackie Flynn, EdS, LMHC-S, RPT-S™ and Robert Jason Grant, Ed.D., LPC, NCC, RPT-S™
Date: April 29th and 30th, 2027 (9:00am – 4:30pm Central Time Zone)
CE Hrs: 18 Total Hours – 12hrs (In Person/Contact or Live Webinar/Non-Contact) and 6hrs (Recorded Webinar/Non-Contact).
Robert Jason Grant Ed.D is an APT Approved Provider #12-318 for continuing education.
AutPlay Therapy Clinic has been approved by NBCC as an Approved Continuing Education Provider, ACEP No. 6595.
EMDRIA, EMDRIA Credit Hours, Provider: Jacqueline Flynn. EMDRIA EC Program Approval Number: 19012-45, EMDRIA Credits: 12, Eligibility for EMDRIA credits is restricted to those who have completed an EMDRIA-Approved Basic EMDR Training.
(Participants will be sent two 3 hour recorded webinars to watch prior to the training date. Webinars will be sent approximately three months prior to the training date. These webinars are worth an additional 6 non-contact CE hrs).
Location: This training is offered in person in Springfield, MO. and via Live Webinar (Zoom link will be provided).
Cost: $397
Registration: ($397)

Description:
Neurodivergence, AutPlay®, and EMDR Beginnings. Day one lays the groundwork for a neurodivergent-affirming, trauma-informed EMDR practice by introducing participants to the Adaptive Information Processing (AIP) model, AutPlay® Therapy principles, and the foundational phases of EMDR. You’ll explore how trauma shows up in the bodies and behaviors of neurodivergent children and how play, co-regulation, and sensory integration create a felt sense of safety. Through demonstration and discussion, participants will learn how to approach history-taking and preparation with curiosity, flexibility, and deep respect for the child’s nervous system, communication style, and developmental needs.

On day two, participants will move into the heart of EMDR therapy with neurodivergent children, exploring how to assess readiness, identify targets, and guide desensitization in developmentally appropriate ways. You’ll learn how to use play, symbolic storytelling, and sensory-based methods to support trauma reprocessing, while maintaining attunement and client-led pacing. This day emphasizes flexibility, creativity, and deep presence as you adapt EMDR’s reprocessing phases to honor the child’s unique needs, strengths, and way of engaging in the world. There will be a focus on the closing phases of EMDR therapy and how to thoughtfully support integration, reflection, and completion. Through demonstrations of child-led closure and playful progress tracking, you’ll learn how to wrap up sessions in a way that fosters empowerment, safety, and emotional regulation. Participants will engage in case discussions, Q&A, and reflection to solidify their understanding and walk away with a clear, adaptable framework for blending EMDR and AutPlay® Therapy across settings with neurodivergent children.

Learning Objectives:
1. Explain how to involve parents and caregivers as co-regulators and active participants in preparation using the AutPlay® Follow Me Approach (FMA).
2. Describe the Adaptive Information Processing (AIP) model and the purpose of EMDR’s 8 phases in the context of trauma-informed care.
3. Identify key principles of AutPlay® Therapy, including play as natural language, sensory integration, co-regulation, social-emotional development, and family involvement.
4. Explain common trauma-related needs in neurodivergent children and describe how these may differ from traditional trauma presentations.
5. Assess readiness for EMDR therapy in neurodivergent children, including considerations around masking, PDA, compliance responding, and sensory differences.
6. Demonstrate child-led and play-based approaches to history-taking, including the use of storytelling, symbolic play, and sandtray to gather relevant client information.
7. Describe strategies to establish safety and stabilization in Phase 2, including sensory-based and co-regulation activities that respect neurodivergent needs and autonomy.
8. Apply flexible, child-directed strategies for identifying EMDR targets in Phase 3 using symbolic play, sandtray, and metaphor.
9. Demonstrate how to support attunement and client-led pacing during Phase 4 desensitization with neurodivergent children.
10. Utilize play-based methods such as story creation, miniatures, and sandtray to facilitate the desensitization process.
11. Explain strengths-based and creative approaches for installing positive beliefs in Phase 5, including symbolic play, superhero play, and art-based anchors.
12. Discuss body awareness and sensory integration during Phase 6 using developmentally appropriate tools such as metaphors and sensory aids.
13. Describe the impact of interoception differences in neurodivergent children and how to adapt body scan techniques accordingly. Explain child-led closure strategies in Phase 7 that promote emotional regulation, empowerment, and a sense of completion.
14. Demonstrate creative closure activities such as “Treasure Box” and “Time Capsule” to support integration and self-expression.
15. Apply play-based methods for Phase 8 reevaluation, including symbolic timelines and child-friendly reflection prompts to assess therapeutic progress.
16. Discuss how to maintain a neurodivergent-affirming lens throughout the entire EMDR process, including flexible adaptations and honoring autonomy.
17. Apply AutPlay® principles and EMDR across all phases through the lens of sensory safety, caregiver involvement, co-regulation, and client-directed healing.
18. Discuss case examples to strengthen clinical decision-making and adapt EMDR interventions to meet the unique needs of neurodivergent children across settings.

Neurodivergent-Affirming Therapy That Honors the Child’s World First

This 2 day immersive experience is more than a training—it’s a shift in perspective. Learn how to follow the child’s lead, adapt therapy to honor sensory and emotional needs, and blend EMDR and AutPlay® in a way that makes safety, play, and connection the foundation of healing. Whether you’re already trained in EMDR or AutPlay® or just exploring, this training meets you where you are and gives you what you need to confidently support neurodivergent children.

You Know It In Your Bones Your Clients Need More Than a Scripted Plan

You’ve sat with children who hide their pain behind big behaviors. You’ve felt that pull in your chest when a neurodivergent child shuts down or spirals out and you wonder if there’s something you’re missing. You’re already a good therapist. But something inside you knows there’s more.

This isn’t just another training. This is a transformational in-person learning experience that brings theory to life in Florida’s stunning Space Coast where the ocean meets wonder and possibility. You’ll be steps away from rocket launches, beaches, and world-class attractions like Disney, Universal, and the Kennedy Space Center. But more importantly, you’ll be shoulder to shoulder with other heart-forward clinicians who are ready to go deeper.

Whether you’re already trained in AutPlay® or EMDR or simply curious about how these frameworks might support your work, you’re welcome here. This training doesn’t ask you to be an expert. It invites you to come curious, ready to learn, and open to transforming the way you see neurodivergent children and the way you show up for them in therapy.

Led by Dr. Robert Jason Grant, the creator of AutPlay® Therapy, and Jackie Flynn, an EMDRIA Approved Trainer and deeply attuned Play Therapist Supervisor, this 2 day experience blends EMDR, play therapy, sensory integration, and trauma-informed care into a hands-on brain-body-heart aligned process you can actually use.

This Training Is for You If…

You work with neurodivergent children and want real practical tools not just theory

You’re curious about EMDR but unsure how it fits with play based work

You’ve felt stuck with traditional models that don’t meet your clients where they are

You love experiential trainings that nourish your mind heart and toolbox

You want to feel confident supporting children with sensory needs masking PDA shutdowns or intense dysregulation

You’re ready to learn how to bring co regulation choice and play into every phase of therapy

Meet Your Trainers

Dr. Robert Jason Grant Ed.D. LPC NCC RPT-S™ is the creator of AutPlay® Therapy a neurodiversity affirming play therapy framework designed to support the mental health needs of neurodivergent children and adolescents. He is a leading author, clinician, and international trainer in the fields of play therapy and trauma informed care.

Jackie Flynn EdS LMHC-S RPT-S™ is an EMDRIA Approved EMDR Trainer Registered Play Therapist Supervisor and host of the Play Therapy Community. Known for her compassionate grounded teaching style Jackie brings a deeply experiential and heart centered approach to integrating EMDR and play based work.

FAQs

Do I need to be EMDR trained?
No. This training is open to both EMDR trained clinicians and those who are curious and want to understand how EMDR can be applied in a neurodivergent affirming play based framework.

Will I receive CEs?
Yes. 

What should I bring?
Comfortable clothes a playful spirit and anything you need for sensory comfort. All materials will be provided.

Where should I stay?
A list of nearby hotels and local recommendations are available in the venue tab above.

Can I come even if I don’t work exclusively with neurodivergent clients?
Absolutely. This training will support your work with all children through a more inclusive regulation focused lens.

Ready to Join Us?
Seats are limited and this in-person experience will not be repeated in the same way. If this training speaks to you, now is the time to register before it fills. Your future clients will thank you for it.