Professionals
The P.L.A.Y Project® Certification Training Program
The PLAY Project is an evidence-based autism early intervention program that trains child development professionals (SLP, OT, MSW, MEd, PhD, MD) to work with families who have a young child with autism or warning signs for autism. It is effective in helping families, and the model can improve community services. Our developmental, relationship-based approach is fun to learn, practical to implement, effective in helping families, and the model easily adapts to professionals’ current service delivery.
“The PLAY Project fit right into my early intervention program. I love the training and the materials. The families love the service and the children are doing great. I highly recommend this training program.”
Who should become a PLAY Project Consultant?
We attract professionals from a wide range of backgrounds, including:
- Speech and language pathologists
- Occupational therapists
- Early intervention providers
- Early education teachers
- Social workers
- Counselors
- Psychologists
- Physicans
Many PLAY Consultants provide home visits, while others practice in the clinic, office or school setting.
During PLAY Project visits, the consultant will:
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Collect Video
Collects video of the parent and child interaction in order to give the family constructive feedback
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Play-based Methods
Coaches and models play-based methods for engaging their child on the autism spectrum
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Practical Advice
Gives practical advice to the family with ideas for fun activities that can be built into daily routines
Between visits, the consultant will:
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Send Feedback
Sends video and written feedback to the family
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Encourage Family
Encourages the family to put in the time engaging the child. This is what makes the approach “intensive”—the beauty of training parents is that the child is potentially getting intervention all throughout the day.
How to Become A PLAY Project Consultant
PLAY Project and Teaching PLAY Certification Training fully prepares professionals in community organizations to deliver evidence-based, intensive early intervention to families of young children with autism. Our manualized, practical approach to parent-implemented intervention has helped hundreds of professionals to provide needed services to parents and children in their communities.
First, through the application process, we make sure that future PLAY Project Consultants meet eligibility requirements.
Second, through the intensive workshop, participants learn the basics of the model.
Third, in the 6-week Implementation Course, potential PLAY Consultants learn the key elements of giving parents effective feedback.
But, it’s not until the future PLAY Consultant undergoes our rigorous supervision process that they learn the depth and range of the model to help families and children.
Details of Training
The 2-Day Intensive Workshop provides foundational knowledge about the PLAY Project, including an overview of the model, a review of the scientific evidence, and in-depth discussions of our core principles and methods.
The workshop consists of case studies, video analysis of parent and child interaction, and group activities that develop skills in play-based, developmental techniques for engaging children with autism and other developmental delays.
To read more about the learning objectives and activities of this workshop, click here.
The PLAY Project Intensive Workshop also serves as the first step towards Teaching PLAY Consultant Certification Training
During our award-winning asynchronous, 6-Week Implementation Course, participants learn how to master the 7 Circles of the PLAY Project in order to develop the skills needed to:
1.) Effectively coach parents and caretakers to playfully engage with their child with autism or other developmental delays;
2.) Confidently implement PLAY methods and techniques in a home or clinic setting; and
3.) Document the child’s developmental progress. After completing the online course, the professional is officially a “Certified PLAY Project Consultant in training” and can begin consulting with families.
The time from workshop to on-line course to working with families can be as short as 2-3 months!
To learn more about the 7 Circles approach, click here.
The PLAY Project and Teaching PLAY Supervision program begins immediately after the Online 6-Week Online Implementation course. Members of our multidisciplinary team provide individualized feedback and guidance to trainees during their first year of practice, ensuring fidelity to the evidence-based model.
*For international Trainees: All written reports during the supervision process must be submitted in English. Submissions that include video must be briefly subtitled. PPCs are encouraged to coach the family in their primary language.
Once the mentorship and supervision period is complete, the professional is a fully Certified PLAY Project Consultant.
The PLAY Project has 3 Options of Certification Training
For Professionals working in the home or clinic
For Professionals working in the school system or classrooms
For professionals working in both the home or clinic and in schools