Social Navigation Needs and Play Therapy: An Affirming, Strengths Based Approach to Helping Neurotypical and Neurodivergent Children

Dr. Grant is a Licensed Professional Counseling, Registered Play Therapist Supervisor, and Advanced Certified Autism Specialist. He owns and operates the AutPlay Therapy Clinic in Southwest Missouri. Dr. Grant specializes in working with children, adolescents, and families, including working with autistic children, neurodivergent children, and those diagnosed with ADHD and other developmental disorders. He is the creator of AutPlay® Therapy, an integrative family play therapy approach. He is also a Certified Autism Movement Therapy and trained in EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing) Therapy, a Post Traumatic Stress Disorder/trauma related therapy for children and adults.

Dr. Grant is an international speaker and keynote presenter having presented for the American Counseling Association, Association for Play Therapy, American Mental Health Counselors Association, and The World Autism Congress. He is a multi-published author of several articles, book chapters, and books including the following titles:

• AutPlay® Therapy for Children and Adolescents on the Autism Spectrum
• Play-Based Interventions for Autism Spectrum Disorder
• Understanding Sensory Processing Challenges, A Workbook for Children and Teens
• Understanding Autism Spectrum Disorder, A Workbook for Children and Teens
• Understanding ADHD: A Workbook for Children and Teens
• AutPlay® Therapy Play and Social Skills Groups: A Ten Session Model
• Play Therapy Theories and Perspectives: Diversity of Thought in the Field

Dr. Grant is a founding board member for the non-profit organization Stars for Autism. He is currently serving on the board of directors (president elect) for the Association for Play Therapy. He is also a part time instructor in the Play Therapy Certificate program at Mid America Nazarene University (MNU).