Play Facilitation for Children with ASD

Participants will identify ways that autism impacts play. 1 Given a child’s behavior/actions in play, participants will identify characteristics of autism that may contribute to the behavior. 2 Given play scenarios, participants will identify underlying characteristics of autism and match strategies to promote engagement in children with ASD 3 Objectives

ASD and Play Play is an activity that is pleasurable, intrinsically motivated, flexible, non-literal, voluntary, and involves active engagement. In contrast, children with autism spectrum disorders often engage in inflexible, repetitive play patterns and may not exhibit symbolic or pretend behavior. -Wolfberg 1995

Challenges of TPBA

The What (to do)…. Depends on the Why Individual Profile TPBA Play Facilitation Learning Styles/ Characteristics of Autism Every child’s profile is different Consider what characteristics of autism might be a factor Select strategies based on Evidence Based Practices for ASD

Characteristics of Autism that Impact Play Concrete/literal Deficits in implicit learning Communication deficits Difficulty understanding the perspectives/feelings of others Restricted and/or unusual interests Difficulty with generalization Deficits in executive functions “Sticky attention” Differences in sensory processing Characteristics of Autism that Impact Play Organization Sequencing Motor planning

The Possible Why Behind Our Challenges

Selecting Facilitation Strategies Child’s Actions in Play Why based on ASD Play Facilitation Strategies/ Supports

Possible Strategies

Let’s Try a Quick Example https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pSrPra1-ErY

Selecting Facilitation Strategies Child’s Actions in Play Why based on ASD Play Facilitation Strategies/ Supports

https://youtu.be/hxY8UHwER2A

Selecting Facilitation Strategies Child’s Actions in Play Why based on ASD Play Facilitation Strategies/ Supports

And some directly from TPBA’s!

Video of Micah and pound-a-ball

Selecting Facilitation Strategies Child’s Actions in Play Why based on ASD Play Facilitation Strategies/ Supports

Video of Trent and washing hands

Selecting Facilitation Strategies Child’s Actions in Play Why based on ASD Play Facilitation Strategies/ Supports

Video of Trent and train track

Selecting Facilitation Strategies Child’s Actions in Play Why based on ASD Play Facilitation Strategies/ Supports

Video of Trent and leaving assessment room

Selecting Facilitation Strategies Child’s Actions in Play Why based on ASD Play Facilitation Strategies/ Supports

Video of Micah and train

Ah-Ha’s and Thoughts

Questions and Answers