NEW HOPE OF INDIANA THE PLAY PROJECT

BY MADDIE BULKLEY COMMUNICATIONS AND ENGAGEMENT SPECIALIST

For many children with autism, early intervention is critical to helping improve their social interaction and repetitive self-isolating behaviors/interests. However, many parents don’t know what help is available and which programs would be best for their child. To help provide solutions for families in our community, New Hope of Indiana offers the PLAY Project.

The PLAY (Play and Language for Autistic Youngsters) Project is an evidence-based, parent-mediated autism intervention model. According to the program’s website, playproject.org, the PLAY Project was developed by Richard Solomon, MD, a developmental behavioral pediatrician with over 25 years of experience working with children who have autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and their families. This early intervention program is targeted to children 18 months to 6 years of age who have autism, display signs of autism, or are otherwise neurodivergent. It’s designed to change a participant’s life course while their brains are still developing at a fast rate. Headquartered in Ann Arbor, Michigan, the PLAY Project now has over 500 certified and licensed PLAY Project consultants and is implemented in 35 states and 9 countries.

The PLAY Project methodology uses play as a form of therapy. According to New Hope Licensed Behavior Therapist and Certified PLAY Project Consultant, Terri Gee, children are more likely to actively participate in therapy if it is something they love doing, and fun and play are at the heart of everything the PLAY Project does.

Different from many other early intervention methods, parents are included in their child’s sessions, which usually consist of two one-to-two-hour sessions per month. These sessions are recorded so that the consultant can review and give parents individualized training, coaching and support based on their needs and the needs of their child. Parents are given a list of activities to engage in with their child in between sessions with the consultant. As a result, parents are able to bring home the skills they learn to further their child’s progress. PLAY Project consultants encourage parents to conduct at least 10-15 hours per week of active engagement tactics for the best results. This program’s high level of intensive intervention between parent and child at home, combined with the sessions with the PLAY Project consultant, contributes to the program’s effectiveness.

The PLAY Project can be a cost-effective form of intensive autism intervention because parents put in many hours of engagement themselves. Additionally, the FSW and CIH Medicaid Waivers offer behavior services, and the PLAY Project can be funded through these means. Self-pay is also an option.

New Hope of Indiana is proud to participate in the PLAY Project and has two certified PLAY Project consultants on staff. Terri Gee is a huge proponent of the PLAY Project’s methodology in early autism intervention. Here is what she says about the program: “I have worked with The PLAY Project since 2017 and I have seen many children develop and progress in communication, thinking and problem-solving techniques, fine motor skills, and social skills, which in turn, provides a bright, optimistic future for children and families. The PLAY Project’s early autism intervention teaches the parents/ caregivers how to PLAY and follow their child’s lead helping to promote growth and development while diminishing the communication gap between the child and caregiver.”

Terri has had the privilege of working with numerous children and their families over her years as a PLAY Project consultant. Time and time again, she has witnessed children making tremendous progress and reaching new milestones thanks to the PLAY Project.

Terri currently serves siblings Mino and Miyun through New Hope’s behavior therapy program. When Mino was younger, he and his mother, Christina, participated in the PLAY Project with Terri. Mino was able to drastically improve his communication and problem-solving skills.

Mino’s mother said this regarding their experience with the PLAY Project: “PLAY Project is a person-centered approach that helps with independence and social skills. My kids are aware of the positive reinforcements, and they know the difference between good and bad choices. This program helped my son with his communication. Without the PLAY Project, Mino would not be verbal. He would grunt and point and now he is comfortable using his words.”

According to a research article from the medical journal Frontiers in Psychiatry1, the demand for early autism intervention services is higher than ever. The article states that as of 2021, 1 in 54 children in the United States are born with autism. The PLAY Project can help address this increased need for services.

If you are interested in learning more about the PLAY Project offered by New Hope of Indiana, please contact Amy Flint, Director of Community and Family Connections, at aflint@newhopeofindiana.org or Lonya Thompson, Behavior Services Manager, at lthompson@newhopeofindiana.org.

1Aranbarri, Aritz, et al. “Examining US Public Early Intervention for Toddlers with Autism: Characterizing Services and Readiness for Evidence-Based Practice Implementation.” Frontiers in Psychiatry, vol. 12, 2021, https/doi.org/10.3389/fpsyt.2021.786138.