Autism Therapy: play therapy

definition of play therapy: A child's natural instincts to play are encouraged as a therapeutic intervention. Play therapy may be useful in situations of stress and anxiety among others.

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Designing Affective Video Games to Support the Social-Emotional Development of Teenagers with Autism Spectrum Disorders
Annual Review of Cybertherapy and Telemedicine, by Khandaker, M., published in 2009, summarized Aug 26, 2010

Social computer games may someday be a good intervention for adolescents with autism.

Play therapy is often used to treat children with autism, but many adolescents feel themselves to be too old for play therapy. This short paper describes the use of certain types of video games as an intervention for people with autism. The author describes the field of social physics as a way of having computers see the emotions of the player. The author suggests that such video game structures could mimic the real social world.


Psychotherapy of Small Children
Archives of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, by Jaklewicz, H., and Popek L., published in 2009, summarized Apr 8, 2010

Psychotherapy may be useful in helping small children with autism to notice their peers and learn what their peers are feeling.

This article reviews the use of psychotherapy for young children and presents a case study of the use of psychotherapy to treat a child with autism. For small children psychotherapy may involve play therapy, music therapy, or drawings. Music therapy is used because it brings the child back to fetal life and the feel of the mother’s heart beat. Drawing can be used to see the problems that the child is having and to watch the progress of the child during psychotherapy. Drawings may be very helpful in learning about the world of a child with autism.


Emotional, Motivational and Interpersonal Responsiveness of Children with Autism in Improvisational Music Therapy
Autism, by Kim, J., Wigram T., and Gold C., published in 2009, summarized Sep 30, 2009

Some children with autism may enjoy and respond well to music therapy.

The researchers compared responses of 10 children with autism during music therapy and during toy play therapy. These children were more joyful and more engaged during music therapy than during play therapy. There were also more positive responses to the therapist during music therapy than during play therapy. The authors think that music therapy may be very helpful for the social, emotional, and motivational development of children with autism.


Collaborating to Support Meaningful Participation in Recreational Activities of Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder
Topics in Language Disorders, by Potvin, MC, Prelock PA, and Snider L., published in 2008, summarized Sep 9, 2009

Participation in recreational activities such as playing, sports, and crafts may be very helpful for children with autism.

Recreational activities include playing, sports, relaxation, playing music, theater, and travelling. These activities can help a variety of social, motor, and cognitive skills. They can also relieve stress in people and families. Recreational activities are thought to be important for the well-being of all people. Often people with autism are not able to do recreational activities. The authors said that children, families, and therapists can work together to start or find recreational activities for people with autism. This process of working together in planning is called collaborative teaming. The recreation plan for children with autism often requires several action steps, working toward maximum participation. The plan may also be part of the individualized education plan (IEP) at school. The authors said that, with some planning and adaptations, people with autism can participate in a wide range of recreational activities.


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Federal Funding Helps University to Prepare Speech and Language Pathologists

Oct 26, 2011

San Francisco State University (SFSU) received federal funding for Project Common Ground, a program to better equip graduate students to help people with autism and other communication disorders. Professors of Special Education, Betty Yu and Pamela Wolfberg, are working together to prepare speech and language pathologists and help families in their homes. Wolfberg explains, "There couldn’t be a better time to pair the disciplines of special education and communicative disorders to train our students." Students will be taught various methods of communication and will focus on using Integrated Play Therapy. These groups allow children with autism to transfer their new communication skills outside a one-on-one therapy setting. SFSU students will also work with families and children in their homes.

Read original article: New Approach to Teaching Children with Autism Earns Federal Backing


Texas School District Includes Transition Training in Curriculum

Oct 12, 2011

The Socorro Independent School District in El Paso TX has increased the size of their autism resources. Their goal is that when children with autism graduate from high school, they should be able to live and work independently. Elementary school children are eligible for the unit, which provides visual cues to find different classrooms, a sensory area, and a play therapy area. Susan Kelch, the director of special education says of the job training, “They need a lot of structure, and they need a lot of scheduling, and so we really need to teach that very specifically for them.” Skills range from cleaning tables to banking.

Read origingal article: Autism Unit Part of Special Education Expansion


Play to Learn Space Opens in Canada for Children on the Autism Spectrum

Aug 17, 2011

The Play to Learn Space at the Ontario Early Years Centre is designed for children with autism, and their parents or caregivers. The room is available as both a drop-in and a reserved space depending on the needs of the child. The space is stocked with toys and games for play therapy, as well as a computer with educational software for academics. While the room is available for neurotypical kids, it is geared towards kids under 7 with special needs. The Autism Ontario, Upper Canada chapter wants to create autism awareness in the community as well as elicit input from those who use the Play to Learn Space.

Read original article: A New Place to Have Fun


Series of Books and Comics Help Children with Autism Learn Emotions

Jul 5, 2011

Matt Casper is a psychotherapist who helps kids with autism and other development delays learn to express emotions. Emotes consists of 24 characters, each of whom relates to a different emotion. For example, Bubba is happy, Mixy is confused, and Boom is angry. These characters make up 15 books, comics, and play therapy toys. Emotes is designed so that parents and children can work through issues such as bullying or self-esteem. Casper states, “Emotes teach children that bringing emotions into the light of awareness is far healthier than trying to hide them in the dark.”

Read original article: Teaching Children How to Explore and Express Emotions


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Please comment on this autism topic.

HappyKids Play Therapy Centre

Oct 2, 2008 by Anonymous

Hi All,

Here are our special education for the special kids in Segamat Johore, Malaysia. Previously name was Happyland Special Kids Edu Centre. And  with eefect from 15-09-2008 , due to we already Changed our centre status as a NGO centre so that our centre name was changed and replaced with our new aim to help more special kids in our area here.....

HappyKids Play Therapy Centre 

No.9, Nagasari 16, Segamat Baru,

85000 Segamat, Johore. 

Malaysia.

 welcome to visit out blog ....

www.happykids06.blogspot.com

 

 Thank you

 


TYPES OF PLAY THERAPY FOR ASPERGER'S

Aug 17, 2008 by Anonymous

I was wondering if any parents or professionals have suggestions for games specific to children with Aspergers Syndrome?  Our son is 8 years old and I'd love to find out games or activities that would help to interest him in spending time with family.  It is very difficult to motivate him to do anything outside of video games or movies.  Any advice?  Thanks very much, Jeanine Holguin


Aquatic Therapy

Sep 20, 2007 by Anonymous

Aquatic therapy can be a wonderful form of exercise and multisensory experience. Check out My Pool Pal (www.mypoolpal.com) which sells fabulous regular and Coast Guard approved flotation swim suits that allow full range of motion for arms and legs. My Pool Pal is a partner with many organizations that help to promote the benefits of Aquatic therapy such as the Easter Seals of Georgia, Coffee County Schools, National Safe Kids, Island Dolphin Therapy and the Marino Swim Central Program just to name a few. My Pool Pal offers flotation swimwear to children 20 lbs. - 70 lbs. and they also custom design suits for children and adults with special needs. Among the other products they offer are the reusable and disposable Swim-sters Swim Diaper which allow for children and adults to enjoy the water without fear of contamination. For children with special needs aquatic therapy can focus on therapeutic play-based functional movement, improving range of motion, helping to facilitate neurodevelopmental growth, improved body awareness, increased balance, sensory integration, mobility skills and most importantly....having fun!


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    • Synonyms for play therapy include: play-based, play-based therapy
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