We are proud to feature one of our Michigan P.L.A.Y. Project families, and are so grateful for their trust and commitment. Below is their story:
As our only child’s 2nd birthday approached, we had developed concerns over his limited use of language and his hyperactivity. While trying to educate ourselves as to the reason he wasn’t talking as much as his peers, we purchased a book that listed different possibilities for language delays. As soon as we read the Autism section, we knew it was our son.
Following an official evaluation our worries were confirmed. Now we needed to decide what was next. We narrowed it down to ABA or The P.L.A.Y. project. Both seemed like they were significant enough therapies to make a positive difference in our son’s condition. We had to decide which route we wanted to take. We had concerns with him doing ABA at such a young age, it seemed so intense and robotic. Where as with play therapy, it was so natural and would be implemented in our house, during the time we saw fit. I remember thinking that I was more concerned with him being connected to those around him than in learning quick fire tasks, like with ABA. We ended up going with P.L.A.Y. Project.
We started The P.L.A.Y. Project when our son was almost 3 yrs old and continued up until he was almost 5. With simple moves and techniques, we learned how to connect more with our child, and most importantly, have him want to connect with us. We are still so glad that this is the route that we took with him. It put into place the foundation for him that has enabled him to blossom into a happy, popular, intelligent first grader.
We would recommend The P.L.A.Y. Project to any parent with a child on the Autism Spectrum.