Play therapy falls within the same category and gives similar results to those of the Dr. Greenspan’s Floortime Therapy. Play therapy is a technique that helps reduce the repetitive or obsessive habits that many of those with ASD have, and it helps develop relationships and social/communication skills. If implemented correctly, the variety of games and activities involved in play therapy help build a child’s interests and open the door to new ideas and opportunities.

 

As part of play therapy, parents should try to get their child physically active using games such as hopscotch or jump rope in order to improve their child’s motor skills. To increase the child’s motivation to get involved, parents can play some music that the child likes. Parents should be sure to incorporate activities in the play therapy that allow their child to share and take turns with them, in order to build up their child’s reciprocal skills. For example, a parent and child can shoot baskets together or can set up imitation bowling pins and take turns trying to knock over the pins with a ball. By doing this safe and judgment-free play, the child will begin to enjoy the company of others, and eventually may want to have other children and peers involved in their play activity.

 

Parents should be active and play alongside their child to show him or her how to do each activity. Playing hands-on games involving logic, such as putting together jig-saw puzzles or stacking blocks will help heighten the child’s problem-solving capabilities, spatial skills, and abstract thinking. Playing imaginary games, such as pretending to fly a model airplane, cook food, or using a remote control as a telephone for example, will help expand the child’s imagination and creative thought.

 

While implementing play therapy, parents should choose toys that will be visually pleasing to their child. Most importantly, parents must let play time be full of familiar activities and games at first. Once a child has gained a strong grasp of specific games and seems comfortable with them, then the parent should look to implement new games to diversify the child’s experience.

 

 How to Find a Play Therapist:

Play therapy is definitely something that parents can implement on their own. Nevertheless, there are play therapists available, and for those parents with less time available, this may be a good option. Play therapy may be offered through local intervention programs free of charge, or it may be included along with a special needs program. As with all therapies, check with your insurance to see what will be covered.

 

If you’re looking for somebody local who has experience in play therapy and knows the basic principles of it, then all you may need is an occupational therapist or child psychologist that specializes in autism. Parents may be able to find a play therapy program through local hospitals, autism-focused clinics, or private sector providers.

 

Sources:

 

[Rudy, Lisa Jo. Play Therapy and Autism: The Basics. Aug 18. 2007.  http://autism.about.com/od/autismtherapy101/a/playbasics.htm]