Children who have a diagnosis of ASD often present with some core autistic traits – for example communicative difficulties, social difficulties in building and maintaining friendships, and expressing/regulating their emotions. These core traits impact the child both in their current environment and their future.
Play therapy, specifically Child Centred Play Therapy (CCPT), offers a child a space to come and be themselves. Often children with an ASD diagnosis will experience feeling rejected by peers, take on an understanding that they are different, lacking in confidence and self-esteem. Some may even feel a sense of not being in control of their world or who they are.
In play therapy, the therapist allows the child to be who it is they are. Using a therapeutic relationship to build trust, safety and confidence for the child to be and express themselves in almost any way they like. With the use of toys and imaginative play, a child can play out those feelings and build confidence in their play abilities with others.
CCPT has been proven to help children with a diagnosis of ASD to:
- Build self confidence in themselves
- Learn to regulate their emotions
- Learn to play alongside and with other children
- To remain focussed on a given task for an appropriate time
- Improve social behaviour.
Tateum Mahoney
Social Worker / Play Therapist
CoRe Kids Therapy
Yarraville Clinic
