The P.L.A.Y. Project
Encyclopedia
The P.L.A.Y. Project or The PLAY Project (an acryonym for PLAY and Language for Autistic Youngsters) is a community-based, national autism
training and early intervention
program established in 2001 by Richard Solomon, MD. Based on the DIR (Developmental, Individualized, Relationship-based) theory of Stanley Greenspan
MD, the program is designed to train parents and professionals to implement intensive, developmental interventions for young children (18 months to 6 years) with autism. The program is operating in nearly 100 agencies worldwide including 25 states and in 5 countries outside of the U.S. (Australia, Canada, England, Ireland and Switzerland). The PLAY Project has been operating since 2001 from its headquarters in Ann Arbor, MI.
or who have demonstrated superior knowledge and experience with children on the autism spectrum
, including psychologists, social workers, speech and language pathologists, teachers, occupational therapists.
Once trained as home consultants, these professionals implement the model in their own communities, teaching parents the play-based, developmental intervention.
recommendations for the education of young children with autistic spectrum disorders:
(NIMH) to conduct a three-year controlled, clinical study of the P.L.A.Y. Project model. Drawing participants from five Easter Seals
autism service locations, the study compares the outcomes of 60 children who participate in The P.L.A.Y. Project with the outcomes of 60 children who receive standard community interventions, making it the largest study of its kind. Before and after the 12-month intervention, each child is assessed with a battery of tests to measure developmental level, speech and language, sensory-motor profile, and social skills.
The results of previous research on the program were published by the peer-reviewed British journal, Autism (May, 2007).
Autism
Autism is a disorder of neural development characterized by impaired social interaction and communication, and by restricted and repetitive behavior. These signs all begin before a child is three years old. Autism affects information processing in the brain by altering how nerve cells and their...
training and early intervention
Early Childhood Intervention
Early childhood intervention is a support system for children with developmental disabilities or delays and their families.The mission of Early Childhood Intervention is to assure that families who have children ages birth to three, with diagnosed disabilities, developmental delays or substantial...
program established in 2001 by Richard Solomon, MD. Based on the DIR (Developmental, Individualized, Relationship-based) theory of Stanley Greenspan
Stanley Greenspan
Stanley Greenspan was a clinical professor of Psychiatry, Behavioral Science, and Pediatrics at George Washington University Medical School and a practicing child psychiatrist...
MD, the program is designed to train parents and professionals to implement intensive, developmental interventions for young children (18 months to 6 years) with autism. The program is operating in nearly 100 agencies worldwide including 25 states and in 5 countries outside of the U.S. (Australia, Canada, England, Ireland and Switzerland). The PLAY Project has been operating since 2001 from its headquarters in Ann Arbor, MI.
Professional Training Model
The P.L.A.Y. Project home consultant model, uses a “train-the-trainer” model. The P.L.A.Y. Project trains those with accredited degrees in child development fieldsDevelopmental psychology
Developmental psychology, also known as human development, is the scientific study of systematic psychological changes, emotional changes, and perception changes that occur in human beings over the course of their life span. Originally concerned with infants and children, the field has expanded to...
or who have demonstrated superior knowledge and experience with children on the autism spectrum
Autism spectrum
The term "autism spectrum" is often used to describe disorders that are currently classified as pervasive developmental disorders. Pervasive developmental disorders include autism, Asperger syndrome, Childhood disintegrative disorder, Rett syndrome and Pervasive Developmental Disorder Not Otherwise...
, including psychologists, social workers, speech and language pathologists, teachers, occupational therapists.
Once trained as home consultants, these professionals implement the model in their own communities, teaching parents the play-based, developmental intervention.
Evidence
The P.L.A.Y. Project follows The National Academy of SciencesUnited States National Academy of Sciences
The National Academy of Sciences is a corporation in the United States whose members serve pro bono as "advisers to the nation on science, engineering, and medicine." As a national academy, new members of the organization are elected annually by current members, based on their distinguished and...
recommendations for the education of young children with autistic spectrum disorders:
- Begin interventions early (18 months to 5 years)
- Use intensive intervention 25 hours per week
- Have a teacher/play partner to child ratio of 1:1 or 1:2
- Use interventions that are engaging and
- Have a strategic direction (e.g. social skills, language, etc.)
Research
In September 2009, The P.L.A.Y. Project received a $1.85 million grant from the National Institute of Mental HealthNational Institute of Mental Health
The National Institute of Mental Health is one of 27 institutes and centers that make up the National Institutes of Health...
(NIMH) to conduct a three-year controlled, clinical study of the P.L.A.Y. Project model. Drawing participants from five Easter Seals
Easter Seals
Easter Seals is an international charitable organization devoted to providing opportunities for children with physical disabilities. See*Easter Seals *Easter Seals *Easter Seals...
autism service locations, the study compares the outcomes of 60 children who participate in The P.L.A.Y. Project with the outcomes of 60 children who receive standard community interventions, making it the largest study of its kind. Before and after the 12-month intervention, each child is assessed with a battery of tests to measure developmental level, speech and language, sensory-motor profile, and social skills.
The results of previous research on the program were published by the peer-reviewed British journal, Autism (May, 2007).
External links
- P.L.A.Y. Project Website
- Autism Spectrum Conditions - Enhancing Nurture and Development (ASCEND)
- Making Decisions About Service Delivery in Early Childhood Programs
- Guidelines for Early Identification, Screening, and Clinical Management of Children With Autism Spectrum Disorders
- Autism Treatment Profile: DIR/Floortime
- Evidence-Based Practice Resources: Autism Spectrum Disorder