The Autplay Therapy Handbook

The AutPlay® Therapy Handbook provides a thorough explanation and understanding of AutPlay® Therapy (an integrative family play therapy framework) and details how to effectively implement AutPlay® Therapy for addressing the mental health needs of autistic and neurodivergent children and their families. This handbook guides the mental health therapist working with children and adolescents through their natural language of play. Opening with an extensive review of the neurodiversity paradigm and ableism, the chapters cover AutPlay® Therapy protocol, phases of therapy, assessment strategies, and common need areas along with understanding neurodiversity affirming processes. Additional chapters highlight the therapeutic powers of play, integrative play therapy approaches, understanding co-occurring conditions, working with high support needs, and using AutPlay® Therapy to address regulation, sensory, social/emotional, and other mental health concerns that neurodivergent children may be experiencing. The handbook serves as a thorough guide for play therapists, child therapists, and family therapists who work with neurodivergent children and their families.

"The AutPlay Therapy Handbook provides a thorough explanation and understanding of AutPlay Therapy (an integrative family play therapy framework) and details how to effectively implement AutPlay Therapy for addressing the mental health needs of autistic and neurodivergent children and their families. This handbook guides the mental health therapist working with children and adolescents through their natural language of play. Opening with an extensive review of the neurodiversity paradigm and ableism, the chapters cover AutPlay Therapy protocol, phases of therapy, assessment strategies, and common need areas along with understanding neurodiversity affirming processes. Additional chapters highlight the therapeutic powers of play, integrative play therapy approaches, understanding co-occurring conditions, working with high support needs, and using AutPlay Therapy to address regulation, sensory, social/emotional, and other mental health concerns that neurodivergent children may be experiencing. The handbook serves as a thorough guide for play therapists, child therapists and family therapists who work with neurodivergent children and their families"--

Autism spectrum disorder and developmental disabilities -- Foundations of autplay therapy -- The autplay therapy approach -- Research and case studies -- Emotional regulation interventions -- Social skills interventions -- Connection interventions -- Additional resources.

AutPlay Therapy is a play therapy based approach to working with children and parents dealing with autism disorders and other developmental disabilities. AutPlay Therapy is a combination of behavioral and developmental approaches that is both therapist and parent-led. The AutPlay Therapy method is influenced by theoretic orientations of play therapy and cognitive and behavioral therapy. AutPlay Therapy functions as a comprehensive model that assists children and adolescents in gaining needed skills and abilities in the areas of emotional regulation, social functioning, and connection.

The AutPlay(R) Therapy Handbook provides a thorough explanation and understanding of AutPlay(R) Therapy (an integrative family play therapy framework) and details how to effectively implement AutPlay(R) Therapy for addressing the mental health needs of autistic and neurodivergent children and their families. This handbook guides the mental health therapist working with children and adolescents through their natural language of play. Opening with an extensive review of the neurodiversity paradigm and ableism, the chapters cover AutPlay(R) Therapy protocol, phases of therapy, assessment strategies, and common need areas along with understanding neurodiversity affirming processes. Additional chapters highlight the therapeutic powers of play, integrative play therapy approaches, understanding co-occurring conditions, working with high support needs, and using AutPlay(R) Therapy to address regulation, sensory, social/emotional, and other mental health concerns that neurodivergent children may be experiencing. The handbook serves as a thorough guide for play therapists, child therapists, and family therapists who work with neurodivergent children and their families.

AutPlay® Therapy Play and Social Skills Groups provides practitioners with a step-by-step guide for implementing a social skills group to help children and adolescents with autism improve on their play and social skills deficits in a fun and engaging way. This unique 10-session group model incorporates the AutPlay Therapy approach focused on relational and behavioral methods. Group setup, protocol, and structured play therapy interventions are presented and explained for easy implementation by professionals. Also included are parent implemented interventions that allow parents and/or caregivers to become co-change agents in the group process and learn how to successfully implement AutPlay groups. Any practitioner or professional who works with children and adolescents with autism spectrum disorder will find this resource to be a unique and valuable guide to effectively implementing social skills groups.

Cognitive-Behavioral Play Therapy (CBPT) incorporates cognitive and behavioral interventions within a play therapy paradigm. It provides a theoretical framework based on cognitive-behavioral principles and integrates these in a developmentally sensitive way. Thus, play as well as verbal and nonverbal approaches are used in resolving problems. CBPT differs from nondirective play therapy, which avoids any direct discussion of the child's difficulties. A specific problem-solving approach is utilized, which helps the child develop more adaptive thoughts and behaviors. Cognitive-behavioral therapies are based on the premise that cognitions determine how people feel and act, and that faulty cognitions can contribute to psychological disturbance. Cognitive-behavioral therapies focus on identifying maladaptive thoughts, understanding the assumptions behind the thoughts, and learning to correct or counter the irrational ideas that interfere with healthy functioning. Since their development approximately twenty-five years ago, such therapies have traditionally been used with adults and only more recently with adolescents and children. It has commonly been thought that preschool-age and school-age children are too young to understand or correct distortions in their thinking. However, the recent development of CBPT reveals that cognitive strategies can be used effectively with young children if treatments are adapted in order to be developmentally sensitive and attuned to the child's needs. For example, while the methods of cognitive therapy can be communicated to adults directly, these may need to be conveyed to children indirectly, through play activities. In particular, puppets and stuffed animals can be very helpful in modeling the use of cognitive strategies such as countering irrational beliefs and making positive self-statements. CBPT is structured and goal oriented and intervention is directive in nature.

A comprehensive guide to understanding and using storytelling in therapy with kids and teens "George Burns is a highly experienced clinician with the remarkable ability to create, discover, and tell engaging stories that can teach us all the most important lessons in life. With 101 Healing Stories for Kids and Teens, he strives especially to help kids and teens learn these life lessons early on, providing them opportunities for getting help and even learning to think preventively." -Michael D. Yapko, PhD | Author of Breaking the Patterns of Depression and Hand-Me-Down Blues "George Burns takes the reader on a wonderful journey, balancing metaphor, good therapeutic technique, and empirical foundations during the trip. Given that Burns utilizes all three aspects of the Confucian story referred to in the book-teaching, showing, and involving-readers should increase their understanding of how stories can be used therapeutically." -Richard G. Whiteside, MSW | Author of The Art of Using and Losing Control and Working with Difficult Clients: A Practical Guide to Better Therapy "A treasure trove for parents and for professionals in the child-development fields." -Jeffrey K. Zeig, PhD | Director, The Milton H. Erickson Foundation Stories can play an important and potent role in therapy with children and adolescents-helping them develop the skills to cope with and survive a myriad of life situations. In many cases, stories provide the most effective means of communicating what kids and teens might not want to discuss directly. 101 Healing Stories for Kids and Teens provides straightforward advice on using storytelling and metaphors in a variety of therapeutic settings. Ideal for all who work with young people, this unique resource can be combined with other inventive and evidence-based techniques such as play, art, music, and drama therapies as well as solution focused, hypnotic, and cognitive-behavioral approaches. Offering guidance for new clinicians and seasoned professionals, George Burns's latest work delivers a unique combination-information on incorporating storytelling in therapy, dozens of ready-made stories, and tips for creating original therapeutic stories. Innovative chapters include: * Guidance for effective storytelling * Using metaphors effectively * Where to get ideas for healing stories * Planning and presenting healing stories * Teaching parents to use healing stories In addition, 101 Healing Stories for Kids and Teens includes dozens of story ideas designed to address a variety of issues, such as: * Enriching learning * Teaching self-care * Changing patterns of behavior * Managing relationships, emotions, and life challenges * Creating helpful thoughts * Developing life skills and problem-solving techniques