Program teaches parents to PLAY with autistic child

  • Published
  • By Amy Rollins
  • Skywrighter Staff
WRIGHT-PATTERSON AIR FORCE BASE, Ohio --  An intervention program at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base for autistic children is teaching parents  effective ways to interact with their children through playing with them.

Lt. Col. (Dr.) Daniel Schulteis, a developmental-behavioral pediatrician and director of the base's Behavioral Health and Developmental Center, 88th Medical Group, said the PLAY (Play and Language for Autistic Youngsters) Project promotes social interaction and emotional growth by helping a parent and child connect and communicate through use of various methods, principles and techniques. The program was developed in response to the lack of available autism spectrum disorder options and is a complement to other evidence-based autism therapies, such as TRICARE's applied behavioral analysis.

Most of the children participating in the PLAY program are between 18 months and 5 or 6 years old, but can be as old as 18, depending upon his or her developmental level. More than 30 families have enrolled since November.

A clinical nurse specialist and two social workers are trained in PLAY project procedures and visit participating families' home about once per month. They teach parents how to play and communicate with their autistic child, according to his or her developmental level.

An interesting aspect of PLAY is how technology is used: Providers videotape the parent and child interaction, and then tape themselves interacting with the child. Both play periods are analyzed and used as points of learning and discussion with the parent to maximize the child's skills, growth potential and communication abilities. A written report also is issued.

The program does take time and determination, and isn't for everyone, Schulteis acknowledged, but for those who choose to enroll, it can be very beneficial.

"We ask that parents put in about 20 hours a week, which initially may seem like a lot but in the context of what we're trying to do, which is basically having fun playing with your child, those 20 hours go by pretty quickly," he said.

Many families end up spending more time than that once they learn the skills. Surprisingly, the program discovered adults don't know how to play with children all that well in some respects.

"A child's ability to develop play goes through standard levels, but the problem is the child who has a developmental delay or autism plays at a lower level than what their parent probably expects," Schulteis said.

That can lead to a disconnection between parent and child.

"With imaginative play, for example, what we do is develop the skills that lead up to that," he said. "We bring the parent to the child's level, and when the child sees the parent playing at their level, the child begins to seek the parent out" and an emotional connection is forged.

Connections also are made between the PLAY therapists and the families.

"We're directly interacting with the families in their environment," Schulteis said. "What we're seeing is we are promoting the growth of that child, and the parent's and child's relationship is improving as well."

While measurement of this is being developed, he said he feels the entire family unit and community are being impacted. He credits the program's social workers with making "amazing connections" in the community.

Offshoots of the program include a monthly meeting for parents; a "Build It" workshop with Lowe's; and a visit with the Wright State University Police Department and its K-9 unit. Now being planned are a low-sensory environment movie at the Base Theater, rock climbing at a downtown Dayton gym, dancing at a Centerville dance studio and an NFL Play 60 program.

Showing progress from the program

Schulteis said he is thrilled with the progress children enrolled in the program have made, as data shows.

"The reason I wanted this program for our families is being a parent is stressful; being a parent in the military is stressful; being a parent in the military with a child who has special needs is very stressful; being a parent in the military of a child with special needs who happens to have autism is extraordinarily stressful," he said.

Melissa Schumacher, wife of Capt. Michael Schumacher who is a course director in the School of Systems and Logistics, Air Force Institute of Technology, said she is a more confident parent due to the PLAY project. While she has taught English and has a master's degree in education, she said working with her older son, who is age 4 and is on the autism spectrum, could be frustrating, but she now feels like she has more "tools" in her toolbox after collaborating with the PLAY staff.

"I feel better and more connected to my son because of the PLAY project," Schumacher said.

The couple's typical 2-year-old son also benefits from the program by being involved in play activities alongside his brother.

One of the most important aspects of the PLAY program's impact is how military parents can retain their newfound skills and carry them to their next assignment, lessening some of the effects of a PCS move and the effects of having to find new care providers.

"The very first time a child comes to a parent and makes eye contact or brings something to them to play with, it's because of the work of Mom and Dad," Schulteis said. "The connection that builds is real. Families can take these skills with them."

The PLAY professionals even offer a pilot aspect, "PLAY through PCS," where families who do get orders and move to a new location can still be served remotely. The PLAY staff reviews their videos and provides them with critiques and guidance.

Schulteis said he hopes the program becomes a prototype for the Department of Defense.

"I'm thrilled we have been able to bring it to fruition here," he said. "We can't thank our families enough for the work they have done."