The P.L.A.Y. Project
The P.L.A.Y. Project (Play and Language for Autistic Youngsters), was created by Dr. Rick Solomon, Medical Director at the Ann ArborCenter for Developmental and Behavioral Pediatrics. Parents are taught to deliver intensive, one-on-one interventions that are individualized and engaging. They learn to help their children gain social skills and language by building strong relationships with their family, other adults and their peers.
“The P.L.A.Y. Project is a unique community-based Autism training and early intervention program,” said Lynn Sinnott, Easterseals Northeast Central Florida CEO. “The goal of the program is to help individuals learn effective, low cost efficient ways to provide intensive intervention programming for young children (18 months to 7 years) with Autistic Spectrum Disorder (ASD) and help them gain language and social skills.
Many parents interested in their child with Autism receiving P.L.A.Y. therapy can send inquiries to Dfox@esnecfl.org
Easterseals Northeast Central Florida’s Autism Center of Excellence (A.C.E.) includes:
An Early Diagnosis and Functional Assessment Clinic
Individualized Interventions
Social and Recreational Training
Family Support and Education
Information and Referral
The P.L.A.Y. Project is most effective for young children with autism: 18 months to 6 years of age. The intervention continues to be effective for older children but progress occurs more slowly, as all children over 7 years old enter into a new, less flexible neurological stage of growth. The P.L.A.Y. Project has been shown to be effective for the whole range of Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASDs), including autism proper, PDD-NOS (pervasive developmental disorder not otherwise specified) and Asperger Syndrome.
Created by Richard Solomon MD and based on the DIR® (Developmental, Individualized, Relationship-based) theory of Stanley Greenspan MD, our program emphasizes the importance of helping parents become their child’s best P.L.A.Y. partner.
The P.L.A.Y. Project has four key components:Diagnosis, Home Consulting, Training and Research.
Today, between one in every 166 to one in every 500 children is diagnosed with autism that’s a new diagnosis every 20 minutes making Autism more prevalent than Down syndrome, pediatric AIDS and childhood cancer. There is no known cause or cure, nor one known single effective treatment for autism. However, a basic rule for treating autism is the earlier the intervention or therapies the better. Early diagnosis is critical.
What is the PLAY Project? Click here for frequently asked questions.
Or visit the the PLAY Project website at http://www.playproject.org/
Click here for more information on Easterseals Autism services.
