Every child will be able to find themselves here
AutPlay®
A neuro-affirming individualised approach to working with each child
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AutPlay is a framework for implementing neurodiversity affirming play therapy and utilising the therapeutic powers of play to address the mental health needs of neurodivergent children.
Not implemented to “fix” “cure” or “erase” the child’s neurodivergence
AutPlay Therapy was created by Dr. Robert Jason Grant and was developed toto build up the child’s self worth, respect their neurotype, address them according to their neurotype, and help resolve any mental health needs they are experiencing.
What is the AutPlay Framework?​
AutPlay Therapy is a neurodiversity informed and affirming collaborative process designed to value the individual child and highlight their strengths as well as guide areas of intervention, goals, and approaches for addressing the needs of the child and family. Providing purposeful mental health therapy for neurodivergent children and adolescents means supporting positive self-worth, taking a strengths based approach, creating affirming identity understanding, and teaching advocacy
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Who is the AutPlay suitable for?​​
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Autplay designed to help child and play therapists address the mental health needs of neurodivergent children ages 3-18 (autistic children, those with ADHD, social anxiety, sensory differences, learning differences, highly sensitive, and developmental and physical disabilities). Autplay values the role caregivers have on a child's development and encourages their active engagement in the therapy process.
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Research findings from AutPlay participants have shown significant gains and improvements in targeted therapy goals. Parent reports have also been positive and supported therapy gains for their child, parenting knowledge gains, and improvements in the child/parent relationship.
What are the benefits of AutPlay?​
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.
