Join ORAPT for our Spring 2025 conference with Dr. Robert Jason Grant, the creator of AutPlay® Therapy, an integrative family play therapy framework designed to help address the mental health needs of neurodivergent children and adolescents.

Dr. Robert Jason Grant received his Doctorate Degree in Educational Leadership (with a research emphasis in leadership qualities of counseling center and clinic directors), a Master’s Degree in Counseling, and a Bachelor’s Degree in Psychology. He is a Licensed Professional Counselor, National Certified Counselor, and a Registered Play Therapist Supervisor. He specializes in working with children, adolescents, families, and adults primarily serving neurodivergent individuals (autism, ADHD, sensory differences, learning disorders, and developmental disabilities). In addition to being the creator of AutPlay® Therapy, Dr. Grant is trauma informed as well as trained in and utilizes EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing). Learn more about Dr. Grant and his work at: www.robertjasongrant.com

FridayFebruary 21 & Saturday February 22, 2025
Chemeketa Eola
215 Doaks Ferry Rd NW
Salem, OR 97304

Day 1 (Friday) AutPlay® Therapy: Introduction and Foundations- This training presents an introduction to AutPlay Therapy, an integrative family play therapy framework to working with neurodivergent children. The neurodiversity paradigm, movement and being neurodiversity affirming will be covered. The phases of therapy, common mental health needs, and parent involvement will be covered. Several play therapy interventions and reflective exercises designed for affirmingly addressing the mental health needs neurodivergent children will also be presented through experiential participation, session clips, and case examples. 

Learning Objectives:

1. Identify the components of AutPlay Therapy including the phases of therapy and parent/family involvement.

2. Outline the theoretical underpinnings of AutPlay Therapy including integration of various play therapy theories and approaches.

3. Demonstrate the assessment process in AutPlay Therapy that can be used to help identify neurodivergent needs.

4. Identify play strengths and differences and how to structure effective play therapy interventions for autistic and neurodivergent children.

5. Explain what neurodiversity (and neurodiversity affirming) means in play therapy.

6. List several play therapy interventions used in AutPlay Therapy to address the needs of autistic and neurodivergent children.

Day 2 (Saturday) Integrating Digital Play into Play Therapy Work- This training will focus on using digital play in play therapy. Digital play processes and technology devices will be described. How, why, and when to use digital will be covered along with specific benefits when working with neurodivergent clients. A review of ethical guidelines and best practice when introducing and using digital play therapy will also be presented. Several apps, games, and digital activities will be discussed and explored related to addressing needs such as sensory challenges, regulation, relaxation, social navigation, creative expression, and emotion identification. 

Learning Objectives:

1. Define what is digital play therapy.

2. Describe how digital play therapy can align with various play therapy theories and approaches. 

3. List several digital play therapy interventions that can be used in play therapy to address a variety of therapy needs.

4. Explain how and why digital play therapy can be used in play therapy processes when working with neurodivergent children.

5. Understand ethical guidelines and considerations when implementing digital play therapy.

6. Discuss research related to digital play therapy processes. 

ORAPT/APT Member: $150/1-day, $300/2-day

Professional Non-Member: $175/1-day, $350/2-day

Student: $110/1-day, $220/2-day

ORAPT is an APT Approved Provider (#99-054). ORAPT approves this workshop to offer 12 contact APT CEs* (6 APT CEs per day; you may choose to register for one or both days).

*The Oregon Board of Licensed Social Workers (OBLSW) has placed the Association for Play Therapy (APT) on its list of Accepted Credentialing Bodies. Social workers who take courses approved by an APT Approved Provider (such as ORAPT) can count the hours toward their continuing education requirement.*