KSAPT 2025 Conference with Dr. Robert Grant

Program Description:

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.

Program Description:

This training will educate participants on the challenging and unique manifestations of trauma in autistic and other neurodivergent children. How to use the AutPlay Therapy framework to address trauma needs and how to integrate and affirmingly adapt other evidence-based trauma approaches for neurodivergent children will be covered. Research related to trauma and autism and play therapy and trauma approaches will be highlighted. Trauma will be discussed from two perspectives: a traditional view of trauma impact and neurodivergence as a lived trauma response. Participants will also learn about and engage in experiential play therapy techniques to address trauma issues in neurodivergent children.

Learning Objectives:

1) Analyze the AutPlay Therapy framework three step process to help neurodivergent children who are struggling with trauma issues.

2) Inspect various reasons play therapy is appropriate for addressing trauma.

3) Demonstrate at least three play therapy interventions that help neurodivergent children develop regulation ability.

4) Employ the five-paradigm process of autism as a trauma response.

5) Discuss the process of integrating traditional trauma protocols in play therapy for neurodivergent children.

6) Describe play therapy interventions that can be implemented to help with emotion identification and expression.

Day One AutPlay CEU's are eligible towards AutPlay Therapy Certification. Dr. Grant's book (listed below) is a requirement to read as well. Please click the link above for full details and options regarding certification.

Grant, R. J. (2023). The AutPlay therapy handbook: Integrative family play therapy with neurodivergent children, Routledge Publishing.

Schedule

8:00am Registration/Vendors Open

8:20am Welcome/Raffle

8:30am-11:45am Training

11:45AM -1:15pm Raffles and Lunch Break

1:15-4:30pm Training

*Subject to change

1. If a participant withdraws from the conference 30 Calendar days or more before the 1st Day of the event, the participant will receive a full refund, minus the Event Brite processing fee. All cancellations must be requested in writing and received no later than March 11th, 2025. You can request a refund by reaching out to the Conference Chair, Amy Meek, at [email protected].

2. Unless otherwise stated, no other refunds or reimbursements allowed. No exceptions granted. ***No refunds or partial refunds after March 11, 2025.***

Attendees at any KSAPT events where CE’s are available are required to sign in and sign out each morning, before and after lunch, as well as at the end of each day. Online events may require typing your name and the time in or out in the chat. To receive CE credit, attendees must have signed in and out for all portions present, attended the full timeframe of the session(s) and attendees must also complete an evaluation of the day(s) attended. When attending an in person training, please prioritize completing the evaluation on-site and confirm that you have received your digital certificate. This way any issues may be addressed by a board member.

Failure to sign in or out each day will result in forfeiture of credit for the entire course and no exceptions will be made and partial credit is not available. An email will be sent to participants upon completion of the training with directions for evaluation completion and certificate generation. For a virtual training, a post test will be sent out and a score of 75% will be required to receive your certificate and one retake is permitted.

For any CE’s being requested 30 days after the training, attendees are required to complete an online form. All CE requests will be processed once a month on the last day of each month. If a member has an urgent request where they are needing their CE in 48 hours or less, an administrative fee of $10 may be required.

This training in in-person only. No recording will be available. This training is for 6 contact hours from APT each day (opportunity to earn 12 total). Approved Provider 02-188. Partial credit will not be rewarded and will not be rewarded for non-mental health professionals. Participants must be in attendance the entire presentation to receive credit.

KSAPT strives to prepare accommodations for those with disabilities and nursing parents. Please email [email protected] at least 4 weeks in advance so we can work with you on any needs you may have.

KSAPT welcomes vendors and display setups from recognized affiliates. We encourage those interested to reach out to Andie Mitchell ([email protected]) to discuss the details.

If you have any other inquiries, please email [email protected].

Hotel Block for out of town guests King/ Queen $118/per night/ Free Breakfast

15475 South Rogers Road, Olathe, KS 66062

Phone: 913-948-9000 Online Booking Link

We want to make this training affirming, accessible, and
inclusive of all neurotypes and disabilities. We will strive to create such an environment
but may miss something that you may need. Please reach out to us and let us know if you
have a specific need. While we cannot guarantee that all needs can be covered, we will
make every effort to ensure all participants can attend, be comfortable, and learn in a
least restrictive space.

Event Venue & Nearby Stays

Ball Event Center, 21350 West 153rd Street, Olathe, United States