“Trust the process, trust in play.” This simple yet powerful reminder from a Registered Play Therapist (RPT) stands out in a recent qualitative study exploring how play therapy and mindfulness support children and teens with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). The study dives into the experiences of seven RPTs certified by the Association for Play Therapy (APT), shedding light on the profound impact of these interventions.This study contributes to the limited body of research examining the experiences of mental health clinicians providing these interventions in therapeutic settings. This research highlighted key themes, but one that stands out is their universal acceptance of what play therapy was and how important it is in the treatment of children.
In particular, participants noted significant benefits related to emotional regulation, social skills development, and behavioral improvements. Play therapy meets children where they are, giving them a safe and familiar way to express themselves—something that’s especially critical for those with ASD.
Since COVID, the shift to virtual therapy has challenged us to rethink how we deliver these essential tools. At PlaySpace, we’ve stepped up by developing creative ways to bring the benefits of play therapy into virtual spaces, by taking carefully chosen, familiar play tools such as Sand Tray and Dollhouse and making it available as digital tools to enable therapists to practice the same way they would in person.
This research is a valuable reminder of how central play is to supporting children, including those with ASD. As clinicians, the more we lean into these tools, the better equipped we’ll be to meet the needs of our clients and grow in our practice.
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