09/07/2026
Not all PLAY THERAPY is the same.
While counselors or psychologists use play therapy to help children process trauma, mental health, and deep emotions, paediatric OTs focus on the functional skill of playing itself—teaching the motor, sensory, and cognitive steps a child needs to actively participate in the playground.
Play is the essential language of early childhood, driving learning and brain development in kindy-aged kids.
While neurotypical kids often learn to play through imitation, many neurodivergent children—such as those with autism or ADHD—find the unwritten social rules overwhelming. For some, play is a skill that must be explicitly taught.
In paediatric occupational therapy, we use evidence-based frameworks like Professor Karen Stagnitti’s "Learn to Play" approach to bridge this gap. We don't force compliance; we break down the mechanics of imagination so children can experience the genuine joy of play.
Here is how OTs scaffold these vital skills:
📖 Building a Narrative:We teach kids how to create a story sequence. Instead of just spinning a toy car's wheels, we model a script: the car drives to the shops, gets stuck, and needs a tow truck.
🎢 Object Substitution & Symbols: We show children how to use abstract thinking, like turning a plain wooden block into a telephone or a magic carpet.
🔄 Following & Expanding: We join a child’s preferred style (like lining up blocks) to build trust, then gently introduce a new element to stretch their imaginative capacity.
👥 Scaffolding Social Rules: We break down complex group games into predictable, step-by-step actions using visuals so they feel confident playing alongside peers.
By treating play as a skill to be nurtured rather than an automatic milestone, we unlock meaningful ways for neurodivergent children to connect, imagine, and thrive.
ChildDevelopment OccupationalTherapy SunshineCoastKids
