The Play Project
The PLAY (Play and Language for Autistic Youngsters) Project is an evidence-based, playful, practical, parent implemented program that supports the development of social interaction, play, communication and preschool-based skills in children on the autism spectrum.
About the Play Project
The PLAY project is play based and parent implemented. Play based means that the intervention occurs through natural interactions with the child, using their preferred play materials, in a space and pace that is comfortable to them. Parents are coached to be their child’s play partner. It is parent implemented because parents are their child’s first teacher. They naturally understand their child’s communication and preferences. In addition, the child’s caregiver can continue intervention in the absence of the PLAY Consultant, maximizing the opportunities for intervention to occur.
This program will be delivered by ACT’s trained Play Consultants over the course of at least six months. The Play Consultants will be supervised and supported by one of ACT’s team of regulated health professionals (occupational therapists or speech language pathologists). The Play Consultant will provide service in your home two times a month and provide a comprehensive Play Plan that reviews your child’s progress month over month as well as the goals and strategies for the following month.
Who is eligible for the Play Project?
The PLAY Project program is open to children over 48 months with a diagnosis of autism and to children (of any age) without a diagnosis.
Where does ACT offer the Play Project?
ACT offers in person services in French and English for families living within the boundaries of the City of Ottawa.
Participation in the Virtual PLAY Project Program means that you will be interacting with your PLAY Consultant through the web, in a virtual environment for all visits until the end of the PLAY Project Program. This will be done through Zoom, rather than meeting in a physical location.
Does the Play Project work?
The Play Project has a strong evidence base and it is backed by research. Read some of the research on the Play Project.
Why Choose the Play Project?
You will receive services in your home from a highly trained PLAY Consultant supported by a Regulated Health Professional (Occupational Therapist or Speech Language Pathologist). The duration of the PLAY Project intervention is 6 months, and the PLAY Consultant will visit your home two times per month for 1 to 1.5 hours.
In addition, you will:
- Learn to help your child regulate their emotions, engage with their caregivers/play partners, communicate and interact, and develop play skills.
- Receive concrete strategies to help your child develop these skills.
- Receive a report that graphs your child’s progress month over month.
All PLAY Consultants have been trained by Cindy Harrison, ACT’s co-founder, and Speech Language Pathologist. Cindy is the only Master Trainer for the PLAY Project in Canada, and she has worked with the PLAY Project’s founder, Dr. Rick Solomon for over 20 years.
Register now!
To register for the privately funded PLAY Project program, please contact the Central Intake Team in order to schedule an intake telephone call.
Email: playproject@actlearningcentre.ca
Telephone: 1-833-887-7529
This post is also available in: French