Supporting Autistic Children Through Play

Think of a place where you can do almost anything you want! Hard to imagine, isn’t it?

For a child walking into a play therapy room, that's exactly what they experience. This is a special space created just for them, tailored to meet their individual needs. While there are clear safety boundaries in place to protect both the child and the therapist, the freedom within those boundaries allows the child to decide what they want to do, or not do; the choice is ultimately theirs.

This kind of environment is especially powerful for children on the autism spectrum. It's a place free of external demands, where they are the most important person in the room. Surrounded by a variety of play materials, they are invited, but never pressured, to explore, discover, and engage at their own pace. Given that many autistic children experience challenges with reciprocal and functional play skills, this space becomes even more essential. It offers exposure to a range of items and experiences that may be both interesting and novel to them.

Play in childhood is fundamental to development and emotional healing. For autistic children, play therapy has been shown to support the development of social and play skills, enhance self-regulation, and improve overall emotional well-being. Also, it has been shown to reduce their anxiety and fear of new places, foster creativity and learn play skills. For adolescents with autism, it helps to understand their ever-changing emotions, especially through puberty, improve self-regulation and their overall mental health and wellbeing.

So, how does it work? First, the consistency of a structured environment and the same place, same time each week, fosters a sense of safety and predictability, helping to reduce anxiety. During the 45-minute sessions, the child is free to engage in non-directive play. This means they can explore their feelings and experiences through play, at their own pace, supported by a reflective therapist who does not place any demands or expectations, just a calm, accepting presence, entering the child’s world and meeting them where they are.

The play therapy room is carefully designed to include a wide variety of modalities and activities suited for different ages, preferences, and sensory needs. These may include sensory materials like slime, play dough, putty, clay, and creative art supplies such as paints, markers, and craft tools. There’s a sand tray for deep, unconscious processing, along with figurines, animals, cars, trucks, puppets, a dollhouse, musical instruments, dress-up items, baby dolls, a play kitchen, movement equipment, and therapeutic stories, among many others.

They choose what is relevant to them and their interests and may choose to play with an object in a different way than its purpose, this is accepted in the play therapy space, as a symbol or item can hold different meanings to the holder and is important to them to gain a deeper understanding of self and their thoughts, feelings wants and needs.

Play therapy offers autistic children a rare and valuable opportunity: to simply be themselves in a space that honours their individuality.

As play therapists, we consistently encourage parents to engage in play at home with their children. Play is a child’s natural language, a powerful way for them to express their inner world. Through play, parents can gain valuable insights into their child’s emotions, frustrations, relationships, and overall development. It’s a therapeutic tool that exists in every home, waiting to be embraced.

For parents of children on the autism spectrum, we especially recommend setting aside “special time” for play, separate from routine daily activities. This special time should occur on a specific day and at a set time each week, with the focus entirely on the child. Floor play is a great option, or parents can simply follow the child’s lead and allow them to choose the activity.

To support this, parents can prepare a variety of open-ended resources and toys for their child to explore. This type of attachment-based play strengthens the parent-child bond and allows for deeper understanding and connection.

Engaging in regular, intentional play at home can support children on the spectrum in many ways: it enhances communication, fosters social connection, develops self-awareness, builds confidence, and boosts self-esteem.

Play is more than fun, it’s a bridge to understanding, healing, and connection.

// Gemma Hookins and Stella Antoniou, Play Therapy Centre - playtherapycentre.ae