What is AutPlay® Therapy?
AutPlay® Therapy is an integrative family play therapy framework designed for neurodivergent children and adolescents. It combines neurodiversity-affirming principles with multiple play therapy approaches and adapts treatment to the individual child’s strengths, needs, interests, communication style, and level of support. The goal is not to “fix,” “cure,” or erase neurodivergence, but to support mental health, self-worth, regulation, empowerment, and self-advocacy. AutPlay may be used with children across a wide range of support needs, generally from ages 3–18.
How is AutPlay Different From Traditional CBT?
Traditional CBT often relies on a child’s ability to identify thoughts, connect thoughts with emotions and behavior, and practice new cognitive or behavioral strategies. AutPlay can incorporate cognitive and behavioral techniques, but it does not require the child to fit a primarily verbal or cognitive model. Instead, the therapist may use play, movement, sensory experiences, interests, relationship, and structured or nondirective interventions depending on how the child naturally communicates and engages. The therapist adapts the therapy to the child rather than expecting the child to adapt to a single treatment style.
Understanding Behavior and Regulation
AutPlay views many challenging behaviors through the lens of regulation and communication. A child who is overwhelmed by sensory input, anxiety, unexpected change, emotional demands, or social confusion may communicate that distress through behavior rather than words. Therapy therefore looks beyond simply stopping the behavior and asks what the child’s nervous system or environment may be communicating. Treatment can include play-based regulation strategies, movement, sensory activities, emotional awareness, and opportunities for the child to develop greater self-advocacy. The goal is to help children understand themselves and find strategies that work with their neurotype rather than teaching them simply to appear more neurotypical.
Individualized Play and the Follow Me Approach
AutPlay does not assume that all children should play, communicate, or relate in the same way. Treatment may combine structured and nondirective play depending on the child’s developmental and therapeutic needs. For children with higher support needs or those who struggle with structured interventions, AutPlay includes the Follow Me Approach, which begins with relationship development and child-led play before gradually introducing connection-based activities and, when appropriate, more directive interventions. Progress is based on the child’s readiness rather than requiring a predetermined level of participation.
Parents and Caregivers as Partners
Parents and caregivers are considered partners and co-change agents in AutPlay Therapy. They may participate in assessment, treatment planning, family play sessions, consultation, and learning play-based strategies to use at home. Parent involvement is individualized rather than identical for every family, and treatment goals are developed collaboratively with the child and caregiver whenever possible. This helps therapeutic skills move beyond the therapy room while also strengthening understanding, connection, and the caregiver-child relationship.