What is P.L.A.Y. Project?

The P.L.A.Y. Project™ Consulting Program provides training and support for families of children with autism right in their home and our clinic. Trained consultants teach parents techniques that are effective, fun, and useful in day-to-day interactions with their child with autism.

 P.L.A.Y Project Origins

The P.L.A.Y. Project was created by Dr. Rick Solomon in Ann Arbor, Michigan. This program is a practical application of the DIR / Floortime model of Stanley Greenspan MD, a nationally-respected child psychiatrist The P.L.A.Y. Project has been piloted with over 500 families in sites all over the Midwest and is currently offered by more than 30 agencies, schools and hospitals located in 11 states.

The P.L.A.Y. Project Consultants

The Consultants have degrees in child development fields (for example Speech, OT, Psychology, Social Work, or Special Education) and receive intensive training by Dr. Solomon and his supervisory staff in the DIR/P.L.A.Y. Project™ model, prior to working with families. After this training they then make 3-hour visits approximately monthly to teach parents how to provide intensive, one-on-one, play-based services to their young children with autism. (Some centers provide 1-hour per week of training instead of longer monthly sessions, but usually the parents will travel to the agency for these alternative schedules.) 

Research Evidence for The P.L.A.Y. Project

Dr. Solomon has evaluated 68 children, each enrolled for 8 to 12 months of intervention in The P.L.A.Y. Project at the University of Michigan.  The results showed that 47% of the children made good to very good progress (increasing 1 to 1.5 functional developmental levels during the study) and 32% made fair progress. The research manuscript has been accepted for publication later in 2006 by the peer-reviewed British journal, Autism. A copy is available upon request.

Two Intensive Interventions -

The P.L.A.Y. Project Compared with ABA

Research evidence shows that children with autism spectrum disorders do best when they receive intensive intervention. There are two basic types – behavioral, such as ABA (also know as Applied Behavioral Analysis) and developmental, such as The P.L.A.Y. Project.  Below is a chart that compares these approaches to assist parents in making the choice for their child. In general terms we recommend that younger children benefit most from PLAY which provided the opportunity for them to develop joyful engaging relationships and communication with their parents and peers. Once the child has reached a level of social and language development then we recommend adding ABA to strengthen skills and get ready for school. These approaches are complementary and many children can benefit from receiving both.

The Parent as Experts

We consider you, the parent, to be the expert on your child.  Our Consultants are experts on autism and have been intensively trained to guide you and teach you techniques so that you can more effectively assist your child move up the developmental ladder, and increase language and social skills.

We hope that you will consider whether The P.L.A.Y. Project is right for your child with autism and for your family.  Our goal is for you to be your child’s best P.L.A.Y. partner!

Enrolling in The P.L.A.Y. Project

To enroll in The P.L.A.Y. Project please contact our office at:

734-449-4649

We will let you know if we currently have a spot available.  If not, we can often refer you to one of the other P.L.A.Y. Projects around the region.

We look forward to supporting you, the parents, in providing better care for your child.