#168: Autistic Play is Real Play

About this episode

This episode challenges traditional beliefs about play by affirming that autistic play is real play and explores its significance in child development.

In this episode, we begin a brand new series all about play with a foundational idea that challenges many traditional beliefs: Autistic play is real play. Not practice play. Not "pre-play." Not something that needs to be fixed before it counts. For many years, educators and caregivers were taught that certain types of play were more valuable or developmentally appropriate than others. But when we assume that only certain forms of play "count," we risk missing the meaning behind what children are already doing. This episode explores how autistic play often supports regulation, focus, and connection, and why honoring it is the starting point for building relationships and expanding play in meaningful ways. In This Episode, You'll Learn • Why traditional ideas about "correct play" can limit our understanding of autistic children • The qualities that actually define play, including intrinsic motivation and joy • How monotropic focus can support deep engagement and regulation • Why repetitive play, lining up toys, scripting, and sensory exploration can all be meaningful forms of play • How regulation and nervous system needs influence how children play • Why interrupting play too…

People in this episode

Host: Tara Phillips

Topics covered

• autistic play
• play development
• child engagement
• regulation
• relationship building
• educational practices

Keywords

• autistic play
• developmentally appropriate play
• monotropic focus
• repetitive play
• sensory exploration
• play expansion
• visual supports

More episodes of The Autism Little Learners Podcast

• #173: Why Forcing Engagement Backfires (And What to Do Instead) · May 5, 2026 · 19 min
• #172: What Are Deep Interests? (And Why the Name Matters) · April 28, 2026 · 16 min
• #171: From Exploratory to Functional Play (Without Forcing It) · April 21, 2026 · 8 min
• #170: Exploratory Play Is Not a Problem to Fix · April 14, 2026 · 9 min
• #169: Expanding Play Without Taking It Over · April 7, 2026 · 10 min
• #167: Mini-Schedules: The Visual Support You're Probably Missing · March 24, 2026 · 10 min