Children with Disabilities

Neurodiversity and Play Therapy

Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD)

ADHD is a neurodevelopmental disorder that typically begins in early childhood. It affects various aspects of a person’s functioning, including attention, behavior, and emotions. Individuals with ADHD may be easily distracted, struggle to maintain focus, having difficulty remembering, lack attention to detail, impulsive, and fidgety and may squirm more than others.

Autism

Autism is characterized by a wide range of persistent limitations in social interaction, impaired communication skills, and restricted/repetitive forms of behavior. It is reported that up to 80% of children with ASD experience clinically significant anxiety, as well as social phobia, generalized anxiety disorder, obsessive compulsive disorder and separation anxiety disorder (1). Moreover, 69% to 95% of children on the spectrum are reported to have high sensory sensitivities, making already hard everyday life even more difficult and overwhelming (2).

Neurodiverse children often receive negative messages from the world such as “you are different” or “you are not good enough” being judged based on their differences and unique needs. Those children learn to “mask” their authentic selves in social situations in their effort to fit in and/or to function in the world that is built for neuro-typical individuals that do not understand their needs. Sadly, “masking” can put a significant strain on their nervous system, and it can lead individuals to become highly dysregulated and/or go into a state of shut down by disconnecting from others.

Play therapy is often a recommended therapy method for the neurodiverse children. Trained play therapists understand an individual’s differences and their unique needs, and we are able to create warm, accepting relationships, so children feel safe to be themselves. In that warm welcoming safe space, children become more open to express themselves, and learn and develop essential skills.

Evidence suggests areas of improvement after receiving regular play therapy include…

Social behaviours
Emotional vocabulary, expressions and emotional stability
Attention and focus

Nadeau, J., Sulkowski, M. L., Ung, D., Wood, J. J., Lewin, A. B., Murphy, T. K., May, J. E., Storch, E. A. (2011). Treatment of comorbid anxiety and autism spectrum disorders. Neuropsychiatry. 1(6), 567-578. doi: 10.2217/npy.11.62. PMID: 24174992; PMCID: PMC3809000.
Hazen, E. P., Stornelli, J. L., O’Rourke, J. A., Koesterer, K., & McDougle, C. J. (2014). Sensory Symptoms in Autism Spectrum Disorders. Harvard Review of Psychiatry, 22(2), 112–124. https://doi.org/10.1097/01.hrp.0000445143.08773.58

Safe and Sound Protocol:

Safe and Sound Protocol is an evidence-based auditory intervention that was created to improve auditory sensitivity and emotional regulation in neurodiverse children. Read more… SSP

Children with Disabilities

Children with disabilities often face emotional hurdles. Many studies show that play therapy can be incredibly helpful for children with disabilities (including ASD, ADHD, cerebral palsy, developmental delay and more…) in reducing internalized behaviours (e.g., anxiety, depression, irritability) and externalized behaviours (e.g., noncompliance, difficulty controlling aggression). Play therapy offers children a safe platform to express their thoughts and feelings in a way that words sometimes cannot, thereby helping them to better understand and manage their emotions. It also assists children in fostering a sense of inclusion and improving connections with others, and building self-confidence.

Here are some of the positive outcomes after engaging in play therapy…

Through play, children can form stronger bonds with others, improve their play abilities, and feel better about themselves.
Play therapy provides a safe space for practicing social interactions and learning how to manage their emotions.
Play allows children to express their feelings in a fun way, helping them understand emotions and how to relate to others (cultivating empathy).