Course Description

NEW in 2026: This course now includes English captions for course videos and written transcripts to support accessibility and diverse learning needs.

This 3-hour recorded webinar will explore play therapy as social justice regarding the neurodiversity movement. Topics will include empowering self-advocacy, advocating with caregivers, advocating with schools, advocating with other systems, and understanding play therapy as activism. Case examples will be discussed, and participants will have the opportunity to reflect upon and conceptualize personal advocacy areas through exercises and activities.

Learning Objectives

1) Define neurodiversity affirming child and play therapy concepts and tenets.

2) Identify ways that child and play therapy clients can benefit from advocating.

3) Describe the various components of how advocacy can manifest and look inside and outside the playroom.


About this Training:

This is a non-contact online/home study training that focuses on play therapy.

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.

This training is approved for 3 CE Hrs for the below continuing education bodies. Upon completion of the training materials, training evaluation, and post exam (with a score of 80% or higher), the training certificate of completion will be issued to the participant.

- Robert Jason Grant Ed.D APT Approved Provider #12-318 for continuing education. If you are counting this training toward the 150 hours to become an RPT or RPT-S, the 3 hours can be calculated as any combination of 3 toward special topics, 3 toward applicants’ choice.

- AutPlay Therapy Clinic has been approved by NBCC as an Approved Continuing Education Provider, ACEP No. 6595. Programs that do not qualify for NBCC credit are clearly identified.

*Use this course for 3 APT non-contact hour Credit Hours under Special Topics or Applicant's Choice. 

Course curriculum

    1. Neurodiversity Affirming Advocacy In and Out of the Playroom (3 Hours)

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    1. Neurodiversity Affirming Advocacy In and Out of the Playroom

    2. Neurodiversity Affirming Advocacy In and Out of the Playroom Video 1

    3. Transcript Video 1

    4. Neurodiversity Affirming Advocacy In and Out of the Playroom Video 2

    5. Transcript Video 2

    1. Course Evaluation (Required)

    2. Quiz (Required)

    3. Stay in Touch! Join the mailing list for course sales and updates

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About this course

  • $75.00
  • 9 lessons
  • 3 hours of video content

Instructor(s)

Instructor Robert Jason Grant, EdD, M.S., LPC, NCC, RPT-S

I hold a Doctorate Degree in Educational Leadership, Master’s Degree in Counseling, and Bachelor’s Degree in Psychology. I am a Licensed Professional Counselor and a Registered Play Therapist Supervisor. I specialize in working with children, adolescents, and families, primarily serving neurodivergent children (autism, ADHD, sensory differences, learning disorders, and developmental disabilities). I am the creator of AutPlay® Therapy, an integrative family play therapy framework designed to help address the mental health needs of neurodivergent children and adolescents. I am also trauma informed and trained and utilize EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing). I utilize several years of advanced training and my own lived neurodivergent experience to work with children and their families. I have infused my experience and love for education and mental health care to create training programs for professionals and caregivers. I am an international trainer and keynote presenter having presented for the American Counseling Association, Association for Play Therapy, American Mental Health Counselors Association, and The World Autism Congress. I am also a multi- published author of several articles, book chapters, and books including the following titles: The AutPlay® Therapy Handbook: Integrative Family Play Therapy with Neurodivergent Children Understanding Sensory Differences: A Neurodiversity Affirming Guidebook for Children and Teens Understanding Autism: A Neurodiversity Affirming Guidebook for Children and Teens Understanding ADHD: A Neurodiversity Affirming Guidebook for Children and Teens Implementing Play Therapy with Groups: Contemporary Issues in Practice Play Therapy Theories and Perspectives: Diversity of Thought in the Field In 2015, I was awarded Play Therapist of the Year by the Missouri Association for Play Therapy. In 2017, I was presented with the APT Service Award by the National Association for Play Therapy. I am currently serving on the board of directors for the Association for Play Therapy. I am also a part time instructor in the Play Therapy Certificate program at Mid America Nazarene University (MNU). For speaking, training, and consultation inquires, you may contact me at (417)-755-9042 for more information. You may also email me at [email protected]

Instructor Natascha Lawrence, M.A., RCC-ACS, BCRPT

(Fatima) Natascha Lawrence (she/her pronouns), M.A., RCC-ACS, BCRPT is a Registered Clinical Counsellor Supervisor, BC Registered Play Therapist, Certified Synergetic Play Therapy Supervisor and EMDR practitioner who specializes in neurodiversity, particularly FASD. She is a BIPOC clinician and educator of mixed Asian ancestry, an ADHDer, Queer, and has a mobility disability due to a chronic pain neurological condition. She is the co-founder of the FASD Institute. Most importantly, Natascha is the parent of two incredible neurodivergent children, one who has FASD.