As the number of children and adolescents diagnosed with autism spectrum disorders (ASD) increases, the need for mental health services for this population will increase. ASD can be inherently difficult to work with due to core symptoms. Therefore, counselors need to understand what theories, methods, and techniques have successfully worked with this population. Current literature on counseling with children suggests that play therapy is effective. This generic qualitative inquiry explores licensed professional counselors' and state-certified school counselors' perceptions of utilizing play therapy to build a therapeutic alliance with children diagnosed with ASD. The study revealed that there are more interactions with parents when working with the ASD population than neurotypical children. Counselors typically begin counseling sessions with child-centered play therapy and then evolve into more of a directive role based on the child's intense interests or obsessions of the moment. The study found that flexibility and modifications were essential criteria when using play therapy with a child with ASD to allow connection with the child. Future research could focus on pre/post data using play therapy with children with ASD in sessions.

Jenkins, J. B. (2023). LPCs’ and state-certified school counselors’ perceptions of utilizing play therapy with autism spectrum disorder. International Journal of Play Therapy, 32(2), 95–106. https://doi.org/10.1037/pla0000197

Play Therapy Primary Areas:

Seminal / Historically Significant Theories
Skills & Methods
Cultural and Social Diversity

Jennifer Bell Jenkins PhD, MBA, LAPC, BC-TMH

Appearances