AUTPLAY® THERAPY

At Progressive Play®, we believe effective therapy begins with understanding the child - not trying to change who they are.

AutPlay® Therapy is an integrative, play-based therapeutic approach developed by Dr Robert Jason Grant to support autistic and neurodivergent children, young people and their families.

The approach brings together therapeutic play, developmental and behavioural principles, relationship-based practice and family involvement within an individualised model of support.

At Progressive Play®, AutPlay® Therapy is delivered through a contemporary, neuro-affirming and strengths-based lens. We recognise and respect different ways of communicating, thinking, playing, processing sensory information, experiencing emotions and connecting with others.

Our focus is not on teaching children to appear more neurotypical.

It is on helping children understand themselves, communicate their needs, develop meaningful strategies, strengthen relationships and participate in their world in ways that support their wellbeing and autonomy.

Play is more than recreation.

For children, play can provide a powerful way to communicate, connect, explore experiences, express emotions, develop understanding and build relationships.

AutPlay® Therapy uses play within a structured therapeutic framework, with activities and interventions selected according to the individual child and their therapeutic goals.

There is no standard program that every child is expected to complete.

The child’s strengths, interests, communication preferences, developmental needs, sensory experiences, relationships and environment all contribute to how therapy is planned.

Because meaningful therapeutic support should fit the child.

The child should not have to fit the therapy.

Neurodiversity is part of normal human variation.

Autistic and neurodivergent children may experience communication, relationships, sensory information, attention, emotional regulation and play differently.

At Progressive Play®, those differences are not automatically viewed as deficits requiring correction.

We do not use therapy to teach children that their natural communication or ways of interacting are wrong, nor is the goal to make a neurodivergent child appear neurotypical.

Instead, we consider:

What is important to this child? What are their strengths? What are they communicating? What is making participation easier or harder? What support or environmental changes might help? What skills would genuinely improve their everyday life?

This creates therapy that is respectful, individualised and focused on meaningful outcomes rather than compliance.

One of the most important shifts in contemporary child-focused practice is moving beyond simply asking how to stop a behaviour.

Behaviour happens for a reason.

A child may be communicating overwhelm, frustration, uncertainty, sensory discomfort, anxiety, fatigue, a need for connection, a need for space or difficulty communicating what they need in another way.

Rather than labelling behaviour as simply “good”, “bad”, “appropriate” or “unwanted”, we seek to understand what may be happening for the child.

This doesn’t mean that behaviours that are unsafe or significantly affecting a child’s wellbeing are ignored.

It means we look beneath the behaviour.

Understanding the why helps us identify supports, skills, strategies and environmental changes that can make a meaningful difference.

Therapeutic goals are individualised and developed around the needs of the child and family.

Depending on the child, AutPlay® Therapy may provide support in areas including:

Emotional awareness and regulation

Communication and self-expression

Understanding and communicating needs

Coping strategies

Relationship development and connection

Parent-child relationships

Sensory awareness and regulation

Confidence and self-understanding

Attention and engagement

Flexible thinking and problem-solving

Navigating challenging situations

Participation in everyday environments

Developing meaningful peer connections.

Progress does not look the same for every child. Success might mean communicating “I need a break.”

It might mean recognising the early signs of overwhelm. It could be developing a strategy that makes school more manageable, feeling safer communicating a boundary, understanding an emotion, solving a problem differently or experiencing greater connection with a parent.

At Progressive Play®, meaningful progress is individual progress.

Children don’t exist in isolation from their families, and therapy shouldn’t either.

AutPlay® Therapy incorporates parent and caregiver involvement because families bring knowledge and understanding of their child that cannot be gained from observing them during an appointment alone.

Parents and caregivers may be supported to understand therapeutic goals and learn play-based activities and strategies that can be incorporated naturally into everyday family life.

The therapist and family work collaboratively, reviewing what is helpful and adapting strategies as the child’s needs change.

This is not about turning parents into therapists.

It is about giving families understanding, confidence and practical tools that can support their child beyond the therapy room.

AutPlay® Therapy was developed particularly for working with autistic and neurodivergent children and young people.

It may be appropriate for children and adolescents experiencing support needs associated with areas such as:

Autism

ADHD

Emotional regulation

Sensory processing differences

Communication differences

Developmental or learning differences

Anxiety

Relationships and connection

Participation in everyday environments.

A diagnosis is only one piece of information about a child.

We consider the whole child - their strengths, interests, preferences, communication, relationships, environment, support needs and therapeutic goals - when considering whether AutPlay® Therapy may be appropriate.

There is no single template for an AutPlay® Therapy session.

Depending on the child and their goals, sessions may incorporate therapeutic play, creative activities, structured interventions, child-led play, movement, sensory-informed activities, games and relationship-based experiences.

Some children communicate readily through spoken language. Others may communicate more comfortably through play, movement, visuals, objects, actions or shared experiences.

We make room for those differences.

The therapist observes, listens and adapts. Goals and strategies can change as the child develops and as we learn more about what supports them.

Progressive Play® is committed to contemporary, evidence-informed and professionally responsible practice.

Our work with children is guided by several core principles:

Respect before compliance.
We seek to understand children rather than simply obtain cooperation.

Connection before correction.
Relationships and psychological safety provide the foundation for meaningful therapeutic work.

Strengths alongside support needs.
Recognising a child’s strengths does not mean ignoring areas where they genuinely need support.

Individual goals over standardised expectations.
What represents meaningful progress for one child may be completely different for another.

Collaboration with families.
Parents and caregivers bring essential knowledge and experience to the therapeutic relationship.

Neuro-affirming does not mean support-free.
Respecting neurological differences and providing meaningful therapeutic support are not opposites. Children can be accepted exactly as they are while also being supported with areas of life they find challenging.

That balance is central to our approach.

Progressive Play® provides AutPlay® Therapy for children and young people aged 3–17 years.

Our approach is:

Neuro-affirming • Individualised • Play-based • Strengths-based • Relationship-focused • Family-inclusive

Above all, we want children to experience a therapeutic environment in which they feel safe, respected, understood and able to be themselves.

If you would like to discuss whether AutPlay® Therapy may be appropriate for your child or adolescent, we welcome you to contact Progressive Play®.

We can provide information about the program, current availability and the next steps for your family.