This professional development opportunity will provide you with a background of the Teaching Play Project model. The workshop will build the case for why PLAY is needed in schools and teaches the principles, methods, techniques and activities of PLAY that can be used in the classroom setting to lead to better interactions and academic readiness for children with autism.

Learn more about evidence based Teaching PLAY:
Teaching PLAY, (TP) is a school-based version of The PLAY Project’s Autism Early Intervention model (PLAY), a parent-implemented intervention program for young children on the autism spectrum.

In PLAY, master’s level child development and pediatric professionals (SLP, OT, MSW, MEd/Teachers) are trained to certification to become PLAY Project Consultants (PPC) and use PLAY’s manualized, research-based approach.

PPCs then use a step-by-step program called The 7 Circles of The PLAY Project to train parents to connect with their child, in the home or clinic setting, to improve the child’s communication, functional development, and social skills.

A large randomized controlled trial demonstrated that PLAY effectively improves caregiver-child interaction and children’s social interaction (see research reference below*).

In Teaching PLAY, the 7 Circles of The PLAY Project are adapted to the school setting. Instead of teaching parents, certified Teaching PLAY Consultants (TPC) train teachers and school staff to focus on engagement and social interaction with students on the autism spectrum.

Without disrupting classroom routines, TP is designed to be practical and efficient in teaching pre-school and kindergarten school staff to playfully engage children ASD in order to address the social challenges of these students that hinder true integration into the inclusive classroom. In Teaching PLAY, we believe that, for children with ASD, “Engagement leads to educational readiness.”

There are 3 Teaching PLAY training options: 1.) Teaching PLAY: A Short Course, for school personnel interested in learning the basics. 2.) Teaching PLAY: Teacher Certification, an extended study in PLAY Project methods for the classroom; and 3.) Teaching PLAY for Schools. In this program, PLAY Consultants, specially trained in TP, will consult with the schools to implement the highest standard TP program in the school setting.

The ‘Teaching PLAY for Schools’ program has been piloted in dozens of schools with very positive results. TPCs make 6 visits to the classroom, videotape interactions, and coach school personnel in Teaching PLAY principles, methods, techniques, and activities.  IEP goals that promote the child’s functional development are recommended. Parent involvement is highly recommended.