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AutPlay® Therapy
AutPlay® Therapy is a is an integrative family play therapy approach focussed on working with neurodivergent children and their family.
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.
Who is AutPlay® Therapy suitable for?
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AutPlay® Therapy was created by Dr. Robert Jason Grant. It is an integrative family play therapy framework. AutPlay® Therapy is neurodiversity paradigm informed and designed to help address the mental health needs of neurodivergent children aged 3-18 years old, including autistic children, down syndrome, those with ADHD, social anxiety, sensory differences, tourettes tyndrome,
learning differences, and developmental and physical disabilities.
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What are the benefits of AutPlay® Therapy?
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Autplay® Therapy is an approach that respects and values the different ways an autistic or neurodivergent child may process, feel, communicate, respond, and play. Allowing the child to be themselves not a neurotypical standard. The therapeutic powers of play (core change agents) are utilized to address a variety of possible needs including social navigation needs, engagement/connection growth, emotional regulation struggles, sensory challenges, anxiety and fear reduction, identity appreciation, increase concentration, focus and attention, depression and self-esteem issues, trauma issues, advocacy, stigmatization, autonomy, inclusion needs, and parent/child relationship struggles.
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What is involved in AutPlay® Therapy?
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The AutPlay® model typically follows three phases of therapy
1) Intake and Assessment Phase, 2) Structured Play Intervention Phase,
3) Termination Phase. Additionally, the model involves the AutPlay® Follow Me Approach (FMA), a child led (non directive based philosophy to meet engagement, connection, and relationship development needs. The therapist follows the child's lead in the playroom and supports the child/young person through identifying and highlighting their strengths, working towards goals, and supporting the needs of the child and whole family system.
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AutPlay® Therapy integrates psychological/counseling theory, models of play therapy, and relationship development approaches together in a collaborative model to assist children and adolescents toward gains in addressing mental health struggles.
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How are Parents/Caregivers involved in AutPlay® Therapy?
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Parents and children are considered co-change agents in the therapy process and work as partners with the therapist.
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There is a parent training component incorporated which teaches parents how to implement structured playtimes and structured play therapy interventions at home.
The therapist typically chooses the interventions, often includung parents/caregivers. Parents learn the procedures and techniques which helps to enhance skill and ability levels in their child when working together at home regularly.
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The inclusive AutPlay® Therapy model supports the development of a positive connection process with the child and parent. The therapist supports the child and parents/caregivers in continuing to implement interventions at home until treatment goals have been met.
