Acting Up or Acting Out: What’s the solution? 15
Behavioral therapy is often used by, for, and with people of all ages who are having challenges of one kind or another. Some of them are “neuro-divergent.” Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) is a therapy commonly used with people on the Autism Spectrum, but it is not the only strategy out there for this group. I am pleased to introduce Dr. Robert Jason Grant, creator of AutPlay Therapy, author of the article “AutPlay Therapy: Integrating Play, Parents, and Children into the Therapeutic Process” AutPlay Therapy: Integrating Play, Parents, and Children into the Therapeutic Process AutPlay Therapy has been defined as an integrative family play therapy approach designed to address the mental health needs of neurodivergent children (autistic, ADHD, mental health needs with which they may be struggling. Play therapy is uniquely designed for and responsive to the individual and developmental needs of each child. learning differences, sensory differences, Tourette Syndrome, giftedness/twice exceptional, intellectual developmental disability, developmental disabilities, etc.). The AutPlay Therapy process can be utilized to address a variety of concerns and the need areas that neurodivergent children may present which include but are not limited to trauma issues, parent/child relationship struggles, emotional regulation, social navigation, sensory processing, anxiety reduction, and life adjustment issues. AutPlay Therapy incorporates a parent partnering (training) component where parents are trained by the therapist in using various play therapy approaches and techniques at home with their child. Parents are viewed as partners with the therapist and are empowered to become co-change agents with the therapist in helping their child address and advance in therapy goals. AutPlay Therapy’s parent training component teaches parents how to facilitate the AutPlay Follow Me Approach (FMA) AutPlay is a neurodiversity informed approach which strives to value neurodivergence and support non-ableist processes – respecting, valuing, and appreciating the identity and voice of the child client. AutPlay framework highlights affirming evidence based and research informed practices to address identified needs and play times and specific play therapy technique play times at home with their child between therapy sessions. Parents learn about play, procedures, and techniques, and are shown how to implement play times at home to improve the parent/child relationship and work toward addressing therapy goals. therapy goals. It is a guide for establishing therapeutic relationship, assessing for individualized therapy needs, and implementation of play therapy approaches and interventions. Play therapy is a theoretical modality that uses a wide variety of methodologies to communicate with clients, including adventure therapy, storytelling and therapeutic metaphors, movement/dance/music experiences, sandtray activities, art techniques, and structured play experiences in addition to free, unstructured play. Play therapy approaches can hold many benefits for autistic and neurodivergent children and their families, especially in addressing 16