Course Description

** If you are a mental health professional and are interested in AutPlay certification that includes APT non-contact hours, please see AutPlay Correspondence Training here: https://courses.jentaylorplaytherapy.com/courses/autplay-correspondence-training **


This AutPlay Therapy Certification Training is designed for Non-Mental Health Professionals 

Participants must purchase the book – AutPlay Therapy for Children and Adolescents on the Autism Spectrum: A Behavioral Play Based Approach by Robert Jason Grant.  Book is sold separately and is not provided through this course. The book can be purchased on Amazon and other online retailers. 

About This Training
This is a non-contact online/home study training that focuses on learning the AutPlay® Therapy approach. Upon completion of this training, participants will be granted Certified AutPlay® Therapy Provider status.  

You will need internet access to complete this training. 

You will be asked to read through the PowerPoint (this is your training guide), you will also be asked to read articles/readings, watch video clips, and complete experiential activities. 

It’s expected that you will complete all the exercises and not skip over any parts of this training. Many of the exercises are referenced on the post exam at the end of the training. 

If you have any questions while completing the training, you may contact Jen Taylor info@jentaylorplaytherapy.com or Robert Jason Grant info@autplaytherapy.com.

Description:
This is an intensive certification training that focuses on teaching the AutPlay Therapy protocol, an integrative family play therapy approach to working with autistic children and adolescents, neurodivergent children, children with developmental disabilities and their families. AutPlay Therapy emphasizes a neurodiversity affirming an informed approach and harnesses the therapeutic powers of play to help address mental health issues for autistic children and their families. This training presents an overview of autism and other neurodevelopmental disorders. How to build relationship and assess (utilizing several AutPlay inventories) for target goal areas is covered along with parent and child co-change agent processes. Goal areas of connection, emotional regulation, and social navigation are described with example play therapy interventions for each area. The three progressive phases are presented (intake and assessment, structured play interventions, and termination). 

Parent/family/child involvement is explained with protocol for working with parents and children as partners in the process. The AutPlay Therapy Follow Me Approach is explained which details how to work with children with little to no engagement and attunement ability creating special play times to improve connection and relationship development. Additional components such as theoretical underpinnings, understanding dysregulation, improving regulation ability, research, and case examples are covered.  Several play therapy interventions are explained and demonstrated through session video clips. Experiential activities are presented, and case conceptualization and planning are discussed.

To complete this training, participants are required to read the book AutPlay Therapy for Children and Adolescents on the Autism Spectrum when completing this training. Additionally, participants will read through the PowerPoint, complete experiential activities, and need access to YouTube to complete this training

AutPlay Learning Objectives:
1) Explain autism spectrum disorder and other neurodevelopmental disorders.
2) Describe the components of AutPlay Therapy including: conducting an AutPlay Therapy session, theoretical underpinnings, phases of treatment, assessment and screening instruments, and goal planning.
3) Describe the three common primary target areas of  AutPlay Therapy.
4) Identify several structured play therapy interventions to use for addressing target areas.
5) Discuss how to involve parents and other family members as co-change agents (partners).
6) Describe the AutPlay model of dysregulation
7) Identify play therapy interventions to address dysregulation issues.
8) Implement the AutPlay Follow Me Approach, designed for children with limited engagement and attunement ability.
9) Describe how to work with parents in implementing AutPlay Follow Me play times at home.
10)  Explain research and evidence based practices in AutPlay Therapy.
11) Outline the theoretical underpinnings of AutPlay, including seminal play therapy theories and other integrated methods.
12) Identify at least 6 AutPlay interventions to increase experiential knowledge.  




Instructor

Robert Jason Grant, EdD, LPC, RPT-S, ACAS

Dr. Robert Jason Grant is a Licensed Professional Counselor, Registered Play Therapist Supervisor, and Advanced Certified Autism Specialist. He owns and operates the AutPlay Therapy clinic in Southwest, MO. Dr. Grant specializes in working with children, adolescents, and families, including working with autistic children, neurodivergent children, and those diagnosed with ADHD and other developmental disabilities. He is the creator of AutPlay® Therapy, an integrative family play therapy approach. He is also a Certified Autism Movement Therapy and trained in EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing) Therapy, a Post Traumatic Stress Disorder/trauma related therapy for children and adults. Dr. Grant is an international speaker and keynote presenter having presented for the American Counseling Association, Association for Play Therapy, American Mental Health Counselors Association, and The World Autism Congress. He is a multi-published author of several articles, book chapters, and books including the following titles: AutPlay® Therapy for Children and Adolescents on the Autism Spectrum. Play-Based Interventions for Autism Spectrum Disorder. Understanding Sensory Processing Challenges, A Workbook for Children and Teens. Understanding Autism Spectrum Disorder, A Workbook for Children and Teens. Understanding ADHD: A Workbook for Children and Teens. AutPlay® Therapy Play and Social Skills Groups: A Ten Session Model. Play Therapy Theories and Perspectives: Diversity of Thought in the Field. Dr. Grant is a founding board member for the non-profit organization Stars for Autism. He is currently serving on the board of directors (president elect) for the Association for Play Therapy. He is also a part time instructor in the Play Therapy Certificate program at Mid America Nazarene University (MNU). Dr. Grant is also a Certified Behavioral Life Coach through the PeopleKeys® program and provides life coaching, consultations, and play therapy supervision services. He is also a Board Certified Telepractice Specialist providing therapy and coaching through tele processes.

Course curriculum