Is Play Therapy Good for Kids with Autism?
If you have a child that has been diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) and/or have a child that is Neurodivergent, and seeking therapeutic services, you may be wondering if Play Therapy would be a good fit. My hope in this post is to break down some core tenants of Play Therapy and explain why Play Therapy has been found to be a helpful and successful intervention for children with Neurodivergence.
“Autism is not a processing error. It’s a different operating system.”
Before we jump in, I want to make a quick distinction. If you have a child who is Neurodivergent, that does not mean that they have to receive therapeutic services. Brains work differently, and that’s a beautiful thing, but it does not always require therapeutic interventions. I have worked with lots of caregivers who are stressed and overwhelmed that their children have fewer peer relationships than they had hoped, for example. While this is a valid and understandable concern for the caregiver, this would only need therapeutic interventions if the child was stressed, anxious, or overwhelmed regarding their peer relationships. I have gently turned caregivers toward support groups or individual therapy in these moments to help them gain support that is needed. An important aspect of neuro-affirming care is respecting that brains do work differently and that we don’t need to “change” or “fix” all of those differences in order for the child to be okay.
What Is Play Therapy?
Play Therapy is defined as “the systematic us of a theoretical model to establish an interpersonal process wherein trained play practitioners use the therapeutic powers of play to help clients prevent or resolve psychosocial difficulties and achieve optimal growth and development,” (Association of Play Therapy, 2014).
In layman’s terms, Play Therapy gives the child a chance to create a bridge between their reality and their therapist's understanding and thus, the world's understanding. This can be valuable for all children, but especially for children whose brains operate differently. Through play, these children access a new skill set that might aid in their future social interactions.
Play therapy can help children improve in areas such as , attachment, self-regulation, coping with changes (increasing flexibility), emotional response and autonomy (Grand, 2014). Play Therapy gives a safe, consistent and judgement free zone for children to develop and grow. One study saw significant improvements in areas of social and emotional functioning for children with Autism participating in Play Therapy (Salter et al., 2016).
How Can Play Therapy Help Neurodivergent Children?
When your child struggles to express themselves, manage big feelings, or connect with others, it can leave you wondering—how can I help them thrive in a world that doesn’t always make room for their way of being?
We believe that play is the bridge between a child’s inner world and the outer world. Through play therapy, children are able to communicate, explore, and grow—even when words are hard to find.
This is especially valuable for children who experience the world differently. In a world that often asks kids to sit still, behave, and explain themselves, play therapy offers them something radically different: freedom, acceptance, and safety.
Let’s take a look at how play therapy supports your child’s development in four key areas.
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What it is:
Joint attention is when two people are focused on the same thing—like pointing at a toy and looking at it together. This skill is the foundation of communication, learning, and social connection.How play helps:
In Child-Centered Play Therapy (CCPT), the therapist joins the child’s world. If your child is stacking blocks, we might stack beside them. If they’re pretending to be a superhero, we follow their lead. By attuning to the child’s interests without pressure or correction, we’re sending a powerful message:
“I see you. I’m with you.”This nonverbal, relational attunement builds trust and connection, setting the stage for meaningful social growth.
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What it is:
Imitation is how children learn to navigate the world—by watching and trying things out themselves. It’s also a key skill for social development.How play helps:
In play therapy, therapists may mirror a child’s actions, sounds, or pretend scenarios, inviting them into a gentle back-and-forth exchange. Over time, children begin to experiment with new roles, emotions, and responses—practicing for real-life situations in a low-pressure environment.This kind of learning doesn’t feel like work—it feels like play. And because the child is in charge of the play, they’re more likely to stay engaged, curious, and open to new experiences.
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What it is:
Theory of mind is the ability to understand that other people have their own thoughts, feelings, and beliefs that might be different from yours. It’s key for empathy, perspective-taking, and relationship-building.How play helps:
Children explore different roles and scenarios through symbolic play—pretending to be a teacher, a doctor, a parent, a villain. These experiences help them begin to ask questions like: “What might that person be thinking?” “Why did they feel that way?”In the safe space of the playroom, children can revisit social situations, work through confusion or frustration, and try out different emotional responses—all while being supported and validated by their therapist.
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What it is:
Symbolic play (like pretending a banana is a phone) and functional play (like driving toy cars or feeding a doll) are essential ways children process their experiences, develop language, and understand the world. But here’s something important we want every parent to know:👉 Play doesn’t have to look a certain way to be meaningful.
How play helps (especially for neurodivergent kids):
For many neurodivergent children—especially those with Autism or sensory differences—play might not follow a typical script. They may line up toys, repeat the same scenes over and over, or focus intensely on specific themes or actions.We see this not as “wrong” or “limited” play—but as deeply personal, purposeful expression.
We believe all play is okay.
In the playroom, we don’t correct or redirect a child’s play to fit neurotypical norms. Instead, we join them. We see the meaning in what they’re showing us. Whether they’re spinning wheels, scripting movie scenes, or building elaborate worlds—there’s communication happening beneath the surface.
Our therapists follow the child’s lead and gently support growth by:
Joining their world to build connection and trust
Mirroring and expanding on their ideas to encourage symbolic thinking
Creating space for repetition, comfort, and mastery
Offering co-regulation in moments of emotional overwhelm
This kind of play builds confidence, emotional regulation, and a stronger sense of self—all while allowing the child to feel fully accepted.
Play Therapy provides an environment that is proven to encourage growth, understanding and social development in children. With multiple different modalities and a drive toward continual growth, play therapy can be a resource for any family, but especially families with children who might process the world differently!
Interested in Play Therapy?
Bud to Bloom is dedicated to providing an inclusive and safe space! With many therapists that specialize in neurodivergent children, Bud to Bloom would be happy to be apart of your child’s mental health journey! Click Here to get scheduled today!
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Grand, R. J. (2014). AutPlay Therapy: A Play Therapy Treatment for Autism, Neurodevelopmental Disorders, and Developmental Disabilities. RJG Publishing.
Landreth, G.L. (2023). Play Therapy: The Art of Relationship. 4th ed. Routledge Publishing.
Salter, K., Beamish, W., & Davies, M. (2016). The effects of child-centered play therapy (CCPT) on the social and emotional growth of young Australian children with autism. International Journal of Play Therapy, 25(2), 78–90. https://doi.org/10.1037/pla0000012
