Prepare Me AsIAm – Autistic Play

In this course, AsIAm, Ireland’s Autism Charity is delighted to support our community to understand the critical importance of pure self-directed play as an Autistic human need. It is a developmental right and it is core to the identity that we all build as human beings. AsIAm recognises that Autistic children must be able to play freely and safely, and in their play, be treated with respect.

In this Prepare Me program, we will explore the importance of respecting and protecting Autistic Play. This courses includes both professional and parental Autistic voices, including neuro-affirming advices from Psychologist Dr Rebecca Quin, Psychotherapist Hayley Rice, Speech and Language Therapist Aisling O’Brien, Occupational Therapist Rebecca Roe, AsIAm Director of Operations Niamh Mellerick, Training Manager Zarah Doyle and Prepare Me Manager Amanda McGuinness.

This AsIAm Autistic Play program will support you to understand the importance of Autistic play, why Autistic play looks different, how to empower your child through neuro-affirming communication strategies of support, to learn about the importance of regulation. Furthermore you will learn about Autistic anxiety, the transformative power of play. How to support group play, how to redefine in neurodiversity affirming terms what Autistic play actually is and finally you hear from the lived experience of an Autistic parent to 4 Neurodivergent children.

“Every child’s play blueprint is different, and the only person who can truly define their play is the person playing.” Kerry Murphy