James Madison University

VAPT Summer Conference


17th Annual VAPT Conference

Come Play With Us

Developmental/Relational Play Therapy with Children
and Adolescents with Autism Spectrum Disorder and
Sensory Processing Disorder

Go to the conference website and register!

Presented by
Esther B. Hess, Ph.D., RPT-S

A two-day workshop
Friday, June 14th and Saturday, June 15th, 2013
(Optional Friday only attendance)
9:00 am to 4:30 pm

James Madison University
Festival Conference & Student Center
1301 Carrier Drive
Harrisonburg, Virginia 22807


Featured VAPT News

PHOTO: Incredible Kid stationaryCan children with autism be helped by a play-based program?

April 6 2012. CBC News: The National.

View an exciting video news report of research studies from York University using DIR FLOOR TIME as a play-based intervention for children with autism at http://www.mehri.ca/News.html

Researchers at York University in Toronto are carrying out a study of  a play-based therapy program that has had some remarkable success in drawing some autistic children out of their solitary worlds and into a shared one. In this video, the CBC's Ioanna Roumeliotis offers a moving look inside Floor Time therapy and how it's given one Ontario family new hope for their son.

Photo: child The Sensory Processing Disorder Resource Center

May 8, 2013

Have you heard the terminology- sensory processing disorder, but don’t know what it is?  Do you have a child who can’t stand loud noises, extremely picky eater, melts down when having to wash his/her hair?  This great website provides information about sensory processing disorder, helps to identify signs and symptoms of the disorder and offers suggestions for how to help.

PHOTO: group of childrenInterdisciplinary Council on Developmental & Learning Disorders

May 8, 2013

Built on years of research, the DIR/Floortime Model also integrates research contributions from various disciplines, such as early childhood education, special education, speech and language pathology, occupational therapy, social work and family therapy. Neuroscience research lends further support to developmental interventions. Early relationships and reciprocal interactions between infants and caregivers are vital for healthy brain development. The objectives of the DIR/Floortime Model are to build spontaneous communication between children and their caregivers and nurturing interactions. These two elements are basic components of the DIR/Floortime Model.

PHOTO: group of childrenCelebrate Calm

May 8, 2013

Great resource to support parents raising children with a variety of behavioral difficulties, including ADHD. Great wisdom and support for parents and highly recommended by parents for parents. You can also find Celebrate Calm on Facebook.

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