New Research Shows Play Therapy Helps Autistic Children Build Social and Emotional Strength

Posted: May 6, 2025

As more families navigate the unique needs of children on the autism spectrum, it’s natural to wonder which therapeutic approaches will help your child grow in confidence, connection, and emotional regulation. A newly published study in the American Counseling Association (2025) and the International Journal of Play Therapy (2025) provides compelling evidence that Child-Centered Play Therapy (CCPT) can be an effective, developmentally appropriate intervention for autistic children ages 5 to 8. This is particularly good news for families seeking emotionally supportive alternatives to more directive therapies like ABA.

What Is Child-Centered Play Therapy?

CCPT is a relationship-based therapeutic approach grounded in empathy, respect, and trust. It allows children to lead the session using play as their language, while the therapist follows with attuned responses. This method is especially powerful for children on the autism spectrum who may have difficulty expressing emotions through words but can show their inner world through play.

Study Highlights: How CCPT Supports Autistic Children

In this study, 19 autistic children from Title I elementary schools participated in up to 16 sessions of CCPT, receiving therapy twice a week for 30 minutes. The children had a wide range of cognitive, speech, and behavioral differences, and more than 60% were children of color.

Teachers completed assessments of each child’s social-emotional strengths and behavioral challenges at four points in time (before therapy, after 8 sessions, 12 sessions, and 16 sessions). Here’s what the researchers found:

Empathy and Social Skills Improved After Just 8 Sessions: Teachers observed significant gains in children’s ability to connect with peers and understand others’ feelings.
Social Withdrawal Decreased by Session 12: Children showed more comfort and openness in group settings.
Irritability and Hyperactivity Reduced by Session 16: Behavioral improvements followed emotional and social growth, as expected within CCPT’s model.

Importantly, these changes weren’t just statistically significant—they were clinically meaningful. For example, the percentage of children scoring in the severe range for social withdrawal dropped from 41% to 0% over the course of the intervention.

Why This Matters for Parents

Traditional autism therapies like ABA can be helpful in building skills, but they often rely on external reinforcers and may not fully address emotional wellbeing. CCPT takes a different approach: it trusts the child’s inner drive for connection and uses the therapeutic relationship to nurture emotional development from the inside out.

For children who may feel overwhelmed, misunderstood, or emotionally shut down, CCPT offers a warm and accepting environment where their autonomy is honored—and that can make all the difference.

What Makes Play Therapy Different?

Unlike therapies that focus on compliance or behavior correction, CCPT helps children build a stronger sense of self. It’s especially effective for children who:

Have difficulty with verbal communication
Show signs of emotional dysregulation or social withdrawal
Respond best to consistency, warmth, and non-directive approaches

At In Bloom Counseling, our play therapy rooms are thoughtfully set up to meet each child where they are—offering sensory-friendly materials, space for creative expression, and therapeutic toys designed to support connection and healing.

When Can Parents Expect to See Progress?

This study found that different types of growth emerged over time. Emotional and social skills showed up as early as 8 sessions, while behavioral changes like reduced irritability and hyperactivity tended to appear closer to 16 sessions. These timelines may vary, but the research supports a clear takeaway: with consistency, CCPT can help children on the autism spectrum build lasting emotional and behavioral resilience.

Final Thoughts: Why This Research Matters

Autistic children—especially those from marginalized communities—often face barriers to accessing high-quality, developmentally respectful mental health support. This study is a powerful reminder that relationship-focused, culturally sensitive interventions like CCPT are not only effective, but essential.

If you’re exploring therapy options for your child, and you’re seeking an approach that focuses on emotional wellbeing, connection, and trust, reach out to our team to learn more about how play therapy might be a good fit for your family.

Interested in learning more? Read our other articles on how to know if your child needs therapy or group play therapy options.