Benefits of Play Therapy and Autism

Play therapy is a tool for helping autistic children, who are more likely to play alone, in repetitive patterns, and in activities that limit the chance to learn through play and explore their own abilities or interests.

Typically, developing children use play to build physical and social skills, to try on different personalities and characters, and to forge friendships. Since autistic children play in different ways, play therapy techniques can help provide similar opportunities to become more fully themselves and, in some cases, connect more fully with parents and guardians.

This article explains play therapy and how it can benefit autistic kids. It discusses the role of a play therapist, and offers some tips for finding a therapist certified in the Floortime program or other play therapy approaches.

What Is Play Therapy?

Play therapy was originally a tool for providing psychotherapy to young people coping with trauma, anxiety, and mental health disorders.

In that context, play becomes a way for children to act out their feelings and find coping mechanisms. This type of play therapy is still used but it is not the same thing as play therapy for autistic kids.

"Play therapy" for autistic children is provided by specialists who may use specific principles and techniques. For example, some are actually providing therapy that's akin to the Floortime approach. Floortime is a play-based technique which builds on an autistic child's own interests (or single-focused attentions) to develop relationships, communication, and social skills.

The Play Project is another therapeutic approach that uses play as a tool for building skills in autistic children. Like Floortime, it builds on children's own interests.

Some people are certified in Floortime therapy, through a certification program that includes a wide range of content but is not recognized by national therapeutic associations. However, most "play therapists" are not so much credentialed as they are experienced and/or trained.

Why Would an Autistic Child Need to See a Play Therapist?

Autistic traits typically include social skills and communication differences. Some autistic children find it difficult to relate to others in neurotypical ways. For example, they don't "pretend play" with a doll as if it's a real baby.

Additionally, autistic children may focus intensely on objects, use them for self-stimulation, and become entirely self-absorbed. Yet play is a wonderful tool for helping children (and sometimes adults) move beyond autism's self-absorption into a shared interaction.

Properly used, play can help autistic kids explore their feelings, environment, and relationships with parents, siblings, and peers. Play therapy can allow parents or guardians to actively participate in their autistic child's growth and development.

What a Play Therapist Does

A good play therapist will get down on the floor with an autistic child and truly engage them through the play. For example, the therapist might set out toys for a child and allow them to decide what, if anything, interests them.

If the autistic child picks up a toy train and repeatedly runs it back and forth without a visible purpose, the therapist might pick up another train and place it in front of the child's train, blocking its path. A relationship begins if the child responds, whether verbally or non-verbally.

If the child doesn't respond, the therapist might look for high-interest, high-energy options to engage the child. Bubble blowing is often successful, as are toys that move, squeak, vibrate, and otherwise "do something."

Over time, the therapist will work with the child to build reciprocal skills (sharing, turn-taking) and imaginative skills, like pretending to feed a toy animal or cook a pretend meal. They may work on abstract thinking skills while playing.

As a child becomes better able to relate to others, additional children may be brought into the group, and more complex social skills may be developed. Parents and guardians can get involved, doing play therapy on their own while using videotapes and books as a guide.

How to Find a Qualified Play Therapist

The Association for Play Therapy (APT) is a national professional society whose members are licensed mental health professionals with training in play therapy. Families can search the APT Directories to find a play therapist. 

Play therapy for autistic kids may be offered through a local early intervention program as a free service or incorporated into a specialized preschool program. It's unlikely to be incorporated into a school-age public school program, though it may be possible to make the case that such a program is appropriate for an autistic child.

Outside of these programs, it is unlikely that any insurance will cover play therapy, so it is up to the parent or guardian to find and pay for the therapist.

If families are looking for a certified Floortime specialist, go to the Floortime website and look for a local therapist. Keep in mind that they're typically found in major cities, though. It's possible to bridge long distances through Zoom or other conference platforms and shared videos.

If you're looking for someone local with experience and skills in play therapy in a more general way, try an occupational therapist or child psychologist with a specialty in autism. You might even find a play therapy program (usually a group program) offered through autism clinics, hospitals, or private service providers.