#379 - There’s No Right Way to Play: Supporting Autistic & Sensory-Seeking Kids

All Things Sensory by Harkla

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Play is a child’s main occupation — it’s how they learn, grow, and develop critical skills like sequencing, executive functioning, and social interaction. But what happens when a child doesn’t engage with the types of play activities we expect them to enjoy?

In this episode, we dive into a real-life scenario with a non-speaking autistic child whose family is struggling to connect through play.

We’ll explore:

• Why some children reject certain play activities

• How to identify the types of play a child enjoys most

• Ways to weave preferred play into daily routines

• Building rapport and connection first, while gently challenging skills

• Practical, sensory-rich play ideas you can try at home

Our goal? To help families, therapists, and caregivers reframe their perspective of play and focus on connection over perfection.

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