Milestones Spring Issue 2022

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
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