Introduction to AutPlay®

Therapy
Robert Jason Grant Ed.D, LPC, NCC, RPT-S
www.autplaytherapy.com
About Me

Full Bio at:

www.robertjasongrant.com
COPYRIGHT

• All photos, original graphics, videos, content, PowerPoint slides, handouts,

and other materials associated with this training are copyrighted by Robert
Jason Grant Ed.D in conjunction with the AutPlay Therapy Clinic. All rights
reserved. Reproduction (other than printing a copy for personal use only),
sharing, or use of any kind is prohibited without the written permission of
Robert Jason Grant Ed.D. ©2018, Robert Jason Grant Ed.D. All rights
reserved.
• Robert Jason Grant Ed.D, 3322 S. Campbell Ave. Suite R. Springfield, MO.
65807. www.autplaytherapy.com info@autplaytherapy.com
Reproduction Limits

• This training and all materials included with this training such
as the PowerPoint and handouts are for the individual who
registered for and is completing the training. The individual
completing the training may use all materials for their work
with clients but may not reproduce materials, post materials
online or elsewhere or any in capacity share materials for
public use or for profit. Any violation of reproduction limits
will be legally addressed.
Privacy of Client Information

• This training, PowerPoint, & handouts include case study information,

videos, and photographs.
• ▪All such information is used with permission.
• ▪Identifying information has been omitted or altered to preserve privacy.
• ▪To ensure that you are in compliance with ethical practices, please
respect child/family privacy by using this PowerPoint and handouts for
personal purposes only.
Disclosures

• Dr. Robert Jason Grant

• Disclosures:
• Financial — Owner and creator of AutPlay Therapy, receives
royalty payments on AutPlay books, trainings, and materials.
• Nonfinancial — Board of directors: Association for Play Therapy.
Receives no compensation as member of board of directors.
Professional Responsibility

• Materials that are included in this course may include

interventions and modalities that are beyond the
authorized practice of your professional status. As a
professional, you are responsible for reviewing the scope
of practice, including activities that are defined in law as
beyond the boundaries of practice in accordance with
and in compliance with your profession standards.
About This Training
• This is a non-contact online/home study training that focuses on learning the AutPlay® Therapy
framework.
• You will need internet access to complete this training.
• You will be asked to read through the PowerPoint (this is your training guide) and watch the recorded
videos.
• It’s expected that you will watch all the videos and not skip over any parts of this training. Much of the
material referenced on the post exam at the end of the training.
• If you are counting this training toward the 150 hours to become an RPT or RPT-S, the 4 CE Hrs can be
calculated as any combination of 4 toward special topics, 4 toward applicants’ choice, 1 toward seminal
theories, 4 hours toward cultural and social diversity, or any combination of these.
• If you have any questions while completing the training, you may contact Jen Taylor
info@jentaylorplaytherapy.com or Robert Jason Grant info@autplaytherapy.com.
 1) Define the neurodiversity paradigm and its
integration within play therapy work.
2) Identify the play therapy theory and

Learning Objectives
neurodiversity underpinnings in AutPlay.
3) Explain how neurodiversity affirming work can
look in play therapy.
4) Explain parent and family involvement in
AutPlay.
Diversity Note
• This training will primarily default to identity first
language (autistic child) as research supports that
the majority of autistic individuals prefer identity
first language. We will also use terms such as
neurodiverse, neurodivergent, and neurotypical.
• Mental health professionals should take care to
address clients in the way they prefer and gain
further training in neurodiversity affirming and
informed processes.
What is AutPlay?

• Definition:
• A neurodiversity paradigm informed
integrative play therapy framework for
working with neurodivergent children
and their families.
What is AutPlay?

• A framework for addressing the mental health needs of

neurodivergent children and their families.
• An integration of seminal play therapy theories (integrative play
therapy framework).
• A neurodivergent informed and affirming framework.
• Individualized for each neurodivergent client.
• A diversity framework.
What it is not

• It is not a play therapy or counseling theory.

• It is not a model or approach.
It is a framework

• It is not a process to “cure” or “fix” a neurodivergent child.

• It is not a technique or uniform protocol steps.
• It is not a framework that can be implemented without an
internalized neurodiversity belief system. A really individualized approach, get to know the child and
treatment plan based on that

What in practice is ableist, what needs to shift, and who am I in terms of putting forth affirming believes versus actions and internalized ableism
How AutPlay Started
 The
Neurodiversity
Paradigm
Understanding
AutPlay
These two are immeshed in AutPlay therapy framework
Play Therapy
Theory
 A specific perspective on neurodiversity – a
perspective or approach that promotes the following
fundamental principles (Walker, 2021):

1. Neurodiversity is a natural and valuable form of

The human diversity.

Neurodiversity
Paradigm
Fundamental understanding and acceptance that diversity
is an expected and natural process in humanity.
2. The idea that there is one “normal” or “healthy”
type of brain or mind, or one “right” style of
neurocognitive functioning, is culturally constructed
fiction.
3. The social dynamics that manifest in regard to
neurodiversity are similar to the social dynamics that
manifest in regard to other forms of human diversity
(e.g., diversity of ethnicity, gender, or culture).
Affirming child, play, neurodivergency

The
Neurodiversity
Paradigm
A way of believing about and
accepting neurodivergent children
The Neurodiversity Paradigm
• Neurodiversity: An approach to learning and disability that argues
diverse neurological conditions are a result of normal variations in the
human genome.
• Neurotypical: A term used to describe individuals who are not
neurodivergent and of societal-viewed typical development, intellect,
and cognitive abilities. Society constructed term to describe folks who navigate the world in the way society expects
• Neurodivergent: Refers to a mind that functions in ways that diverge
significantly from the dominant societal standards of what is normal and
expected. This often includes diagnoses such as autism, ADHD, and
learning disorders.
The Neurodiversity Paradigm in Application

• Being Neurodiversity Affirming - A belief and commitment in

approach, which means valuing and respecting the different ways
an autistic or neurodivergent client may process, feel, respond,
communicate, and play. It means allowing the child to be themself
and not trying to change them to fit a neurotypical standard.
Further, it means giving the client a voice in the decision-making
process regarding their therapy.
Language you use, how you speak to child, how you do thearpy, how you include or dont the child, scrutiny you place towards your practice to make sure it isnt abelist
Can be a process of growth for us that we commit to and stay engaged with.
Being Neurodiversity
Affirming
The Application of the Neurodiversity
Paradigm
Being Neurodiversity Affirming
Asking does it communicate value, acceptance and empowerment for the child
when looking at new therapy approaches.

• A way of being
Thinking about your neurodivergent clients picture one of them and ask yourself if they
read this thing right now (in blog post or whatever it is) would they leave that article feeling
• Value, acceptance, empowerment values? Empowered? Accepted in their identity? If answer is no, then it is not an affirming
piece of work

• Free of Ableism - The discrimination against people with

disabilities—harboring beliefs that devalue and limit the potential
of people with physical, intellectual, or mental disorders and
disabilities If you can't talk about it without devaluing, then you shouldn't be writing it/do training/talking about the topic.

Being affirming means being free of ableism. You cannot do both at the same time.
 Examples
• Language used
• Trying to change to look NT vs
empowering ND identity
• Different is okay
• Social navigation – eye contact,
socialness, communication
• Play preferences WIll we be okay with this or try to shut it down?
"They need to learn how to do pretend play" etc

• Self advocacy vs compliance

• What builds up, validates vs devalues
Play Therapy
• A Modality
• Association for Play Therapy (APT) definition - "the systematic use of a
theoretical model to establish an interpersonal process wherein trained
play therapists use the therapeutic powers of play to help clients
prevent or resolve psychosocial difficulties and achieve optimal growth
and development.“
• Guidelines/use of play therapy -
https://www.a4pt.org/page/ClarifyingUseofPT
• Play Therapy vs a play based approach -
https://www.a4pt.org/page/Publications
Play Therapy Theories
Seminal Play Therapy Theories
• Understanding and articulating the therapeutic powers of play and overlaying clinical theories and practical approaches is foundational to solid
play therapy practice. In the September 2019 Issue of Play TherapyTM Magazine, APT featured seminal and historically significant play therapy
theories that drive play therapy practice. These play therapy theory articles are now available to read and share!
https://www.a4pt.org/page/Publications
• Adlerian Play Therapy
• Attachment Theory and Theraplay® (historically significant approach)
• Child-Centered Play Therapy
• Filial Therapy (historically significant approach based on CCPT)
• Cognitive Behavioral Play Therapy
• Ecosystemic Play Therapy
• Gestalt Play Therapy
• Jungian Analytical Play Therapy
• Psychoanalytic Play Therapy
Play Therapy Theories
Modern and/or Supportive Play Therapy Theories
• AutPlay Therapy
• Sandtray Therapy
• FirstPlay
• Animal Assisted Play Therapy
• Solution Focused Play Therapy
• Synergetic Play Therapy
• TraumaPlay
• Digital Play therapy
Who are you?
What fits the child?
AutPlay Theoretical Underpinnings

• Theoretical underpinnings in humanistic, family systems,

developmental, and cognitive behavioral theories. Various seminal
and historically significant play therapy theories (Child Centered
Play Therapy, Filial Therapy, Theraplay, Cognitive Behavioral Play
Therapy, Gestalt Play Therapy, and Family Play Therapy).
AutPlay Theoretical Underpinnings
• Child Centered Play Therapy (research support for addressing various mental health
needs of autistic and neurodivergent children).
• Filial Therapy (research support for addressing various mental health needs of autistic
and neurodivergent children and their caregivers).
• Theraplay® (empirically supported as a therapy approach for working with autistic
and neurodivergent children and their families).
• Gestalt Play Therapy (research supported as an approach for working on sensory
processing and integration needs).
• Cognitive Behavioral Play Therapy (research supported and incorporates multiple
evidence-based practices for addressing various mental health needs of autistic and
neurodivergent children).
AutPlay Integrative Play Therapy

• An integrative framework is defined as a progressive form of

psychotherapy that combines different therapeutic tools and
approaches to help address the mental health needs of the
individual client.
Research
Research and Theoretical
Underpinnings Paper
Research
• It is important to remember that autistic and other neurodivergent
children do not need any particular therapy just because they are
neurodivergent. Instead, therapy should be sought out for and help with
specific needs of the child and those needs addressed through a
neurodiversity affirming framework. Thus, research related to autistic
and neurodivergent children should be focused on a particular issue or
need the child is having, not fixing, curing, or correcting their
neurodivergent identity. Research should support the self-worth, value,
and identity of neurodivergent children.
AutPlay Framework
The foundation
AutPlay Framework
Play therapy integration and individualization
Want the caregiver in the process, but sometimes they are unable/unwilling to
participate. Can work with the child alone in those cases.

When parents are willing, can then establish how the parent will be in the
therapy. Can include parent being in room during therapy, parent and child
are participating together with expectation to do play time at home between
sessions (most intensive). Can have periodic parent consultation, check in
how are things going in the child's life. Parent training, parents may need
therapy sessions, may need parenting sessions, how to handle discipline,
how to address regulation struggles at home, how to navigate school, how to

AutPlay
address IEP meetings, etc. Plan can change as you move through therapy
(i.e. start with individual and then realize family work is needed).
Empowering parents is an important part of it.

Across the spectrum and for the whole family

Case Example 1
Lake/Blake
Case Example 2
Ana
Case Example 3
Joey
 The AutPlay Therapy Website

www.autplaytherapy.com
Completing your Certification

• Home Study Course -

https://courses.jentaylorplaytherapy.com/courses/autplay-
correspondence-training
• 2 Day In Person Intensive - https://autplaytherapy.com/trainings/in-
person-trainings/
• 2 Day Live Webinar Intensive -
https://autplaytherapy.com/trainings/in-person-trainings/
 Completing your
Certification

• Required Reading and Book Exam

Grant, R. J. (2023). The AutPlay therapy
handbook: Integrative family play therapy with
neurodivergent children. Routledge.
Completing your Certification
AutPlay Therapy Certification Paper
Additional Trainings – Found on the AutPlay
Website – Home Study Trainings
• AutPlay and Social Groups
• Autism and Trauma: AutPlay® Therapy and Beyond
• AutPlay Therapy Interventions for Telehealth
• Using Sandtrays with Autistic Children and Adolescents
• Using Play Therapy to Address Sensory Processing Challenges
• The Neurodiversity Paradigm and The Play and Child Therapist
• Social Navigation Needs and Play Therapy
• Integrating Apps in Play Therapy: Working with Autistic and Neurodivergent Children
• Play Therapy Interventions for Autistic and Neurodivergent Children
• https://autplaytherapy.com/trainings/home-study-trainings/
Recommended Reading
Limitations

• Research related to play therapy with neurodivergent children

implementing a neurodiversity affirming approach.
• Non ableist processes in play therapy research.
References
• Bottema-Beutel, K., Kapp, S., Lester, J., Sasson, N., Hand, B. (2020). Avoiding ableist language: Suggestions for autism
researchers. Autism in Adulthood. 3. 10.1089/aut.2020.0014
• Brefort, E., Saint-Georges-Chaumet, Y., Cohen, D. et al. (2022).Two-year follow-up of 90 children with autism spectrum
disorder receiving intensive developmental play therapy (3i method). BMC Pediatr 22, 373. doi:10.1186/s12887-022-03431-x
• Brown, H. M., Stahmer, A. C., Dwyer, P., & Rivera, S. (2021). Changing the story: How diagnosticians can support a
neurodiversity perspective from the start. Autism, 25(5), 1171–1174. doi.org/10.1177/13623613211001012
• Dawson, G., Franz, L., & Brandsen, S. (2022). At a crossroads: Reconsidering the goals of autism early behavioral
intervention from a neurodiversity perspective. JAMA Pediatrics. doi:10.1001/jamapediatrics.2022.2299
• Grant, R. J. (2023). The AutPlay® therapy handbook: Integrative family play therapy with neurodivergent children.
Routledge.
• Hillman, H. (2018). Child-centered play therapy as an intervention for children with autism: A literature review. International
Journal of Play Therapy, Vol 27(4), pp. 198-204.
• Howard, A. R. H., Lindaman, S., Copeland, R., & Cross, D. R. (2018). Theraplay impact on parents and children with autism
spectrum disorder: Improvements in affect, joint attention, and social cooperation. International Journal of Play Therapy, Vol
27(1), pp. 56-68.
 • Dr. Robert Jason Grant
• www.autplaytherapy.com
• www.robertasongrant.com

Thank You!
• Connect with me on social media
• AutPlay Therapy FB page
AutPlay Therapy Group on FB
AutPlay Therapy YouTube Channel
Robert Jason Grant Ed.D FB page
 The End

Thanks for checking out AutPlay!

www.autplaytherapy.com