Why invest your time (and money) into our Pathway Modules

This module is designed for you to explore the wealth of resources available to you. Whether you prefer independent learning or guided professional development, our pathways cater to your needs. Dive deeper into the pedagogy behind our methods and unlock a new approach to supporting neurodiverse players. Take the next step in your journey towards inclusive education with Diverse Pathways!

Pathway Presentations

Watch our series of pathway presentations exploring each Play Pattern in detail

Pathway Materials

Understand best how to utilise the Pathway Materials and Resources in your everyday practice

Practical Pathways

Gain practical ideas, techniques and strategies which supports neurodiverse play in general

About the course

Autistic children play in ways that can look unfamiliar through a “typical development” lens, and too often those differences get misread as delay, deficiency, or something to correct. This Pathway Module offers an in depth, neurodiversity informed and affirming exploration of autistic play patterns (Conn, 2015) in early childhood, helping you to recognise the importance of enabling play to unfold in order to identify the function, motivation and relevance to a child's development and ways of being.  Across the module, you will explore a range of autistic play patterns (including sensory highs, glimmers and glows, heightened schematic play, repetition, intense interests, collecting, lining up, ordering, movement play, and play that is solitary or parallel). You will learn how these patterns can support regulation rhythms, communication, meaning making, connection, and autonomy. Rather than asking “how do we make this look more typical?”, we focus on “what is this play communicating, and how can we attune rather than intervene” You will be guided to reflect on the adult assumptions that shape how play is interpreted in early years settings, including expectations around pretend play, social play, turn-taking, and “purposeful” play. You will also consider how environment, sensory demands, time pressure, and adult intrusion can either expand play or shut it down. You will leave with practical ways to: (*) observe autistic play more sensitively and more generously (*) respond with affirming interaction strategies that build connection without forcing compliance (*) adapt your environment to support different sensory and play profiles (*) explain autistic play patterns to colleagues and families using non-pathologising language (*) strengthen provision by planning infinite play spaces This module is suitable for early years educators, teachers,  childminders, SENCOs, family support, and specialists who want a richer, more affirming understanding of autistic play, and a clear bridge from theory to day to day practice.

Curriculum

9 Chapters · 35 Lessons

  1. 1

    Welcome to the Pathway Module

    1. (Included in full purchase)

      Welcome

    2. (Included in full purchase)

      Housekeeping

    3. (Included in full purchase)

      How to use this module

    4. (Included in full purchase)

      Language and Lens

    5. (Included in full purchase)

      Download

  2. 2

    Foundations, Reframing Autistic Play

    1. (Included in full purchase)

      Why autistic play gets misread...

    2. (Included in full purchase)

      Observation without judgement

    3. (Included in full purchase)

      (Un)defining Play

    4. (Included in full purchase)

      Pre-Learning Poll

  3. 3

    Theme One: Sensory and Embodied Play Patterns

    1. (Included in full purchase)

      Pattern 1: Sensory highs and glimmers

    2. (Included in full purchase)

      Pattern 2: Playful self stimulatory repetitive actions (stimming)

    3. (Included in full purchase)

      Pattern 3: Heightened schema and repetitive play

    4. (Included in full purchase)

      Pattern 4: Affinity with nature

    5. (Included in full purchase)

      Pattern 5: Whole to part play

    6. (Included in full purchase)

      Pattern 6: Attention to detail play

  4. 4

    Take-aways and Digital Tools

    1. (Included in full purchase)

      Key takeaways

    2. (Included in full purchase)

      Digital Tool: Play Dictionary

    3. (Included in full purchase)

      Course Evaluation

  5. 5

    Theme Two: Focused and Monotropic Play Patterns

    1. (Included in full purchase)

      Pattern 7: Monotropic play and flow states

    2. (Included in full purchase)

      Pattern 8: Special and intense interests (passions)

    3. (Included in full purchase)

      Pattern 9: Collections and curiosities

    4. (Included in full purchase)

      Pattern 10: Play structured by mental rules

  6. 6

    Theme Three: Autonomy and Predictability

    1. (Included in full purchase)

      Pattern 11: Predictable and autonomous play

    2. (Included in full purchase)

      Pattern 12: Embodied play

  7. 7

    Theme Four: Imagination and Internal Worlds

    1. (Included in full purchase)

      Pattern 13: Vivid imaginings, daydreaming, mind wandering, retelling intricate details

    2. (Included in full purchase)

      Pattern 14: Diverse, adaptive and internally rich imaginations and creativity

    3. (Included in full purchase)

      Pattern 15: Setting up play scenes

    4. (Included in full purchase)

      Pattern 16: Connection to objects as alive or sentient, anthropomorphism

  8. 8

    Theme Five: Social Diversity and Companionship

    1. (Included in full purchase)

      Pattern 17: Social diversity including solitary play

    2. (Included in full purchase)

      Pattern 18: Seeking friendships through companionship

  9. 9

    The Neurodiversity-Affirming Play Framework

    1. (Included in full purchase)

      The Play Frequencies (from self-directed to adult-inspired)

    2. (Included in full purchase)

      Play-Enriching Environments

    3. (Included in full purchase)

      Play-Affirming Documentation

    4. (Included in full purchase)

      Play Solidarity (Parents, Carers, Professionals)

    5. (Included in full purchase)

      Play Hibernations

What people are saying

Hear about the feedback we had for this session below...

Kerry is a welcome voice in early childhood. Compassionate, wise, and practical, and unusual combination. I'm so glad to have these resources to use and direct others to.
Early Childhood Educator

Pathway Participant

”
As a Paediatric Occupational Therapist, play is central to our therapy and the support we provide. Traditionally, OT training in paediatrics has focused on developmental milestones for typically developing or able-bodied children. In practice, we can see that this is not helpful for many of the children we work with who are neurodivergent or have a disability. This training really challenges the concept of ‘typical’ developmental milestones, reframes what we mean by ‘play’, and encourages us to view a child’s play from their unique perspective, rather than pathologising their preferred style of play.
Paediatric Occupational Therapist

Pathway Participant

”
I would definitely recommend the Neurodiversity Affirming Practice online training sessions. The sessions are very informative and interesting with brilliant resources provided after each session. I like the pace of the sessions and that there are opportunities to ask questions and contribute in ways that feel comfortable for each participant. I also like that the sessions are recorded so that you can catch up in your own time if you miss the live session. As a Childminder I will definitely use what I have learned to develop my knowledge and practice.
Childminder

Pathway Participant

”
The resources are utterly brilliant, they are beautifully designed, it was fascinating to understand more about how Diverse Pathways' thinking has evolved and drawn on all the other current research. I found Kerry as a trainer warm and relate-able. Finally, the reassurance that 'child-led play' is not the holy grail, but that trusted adults can join in various ways, scaffold, etc, which I have seen work in my own practice. I think I'm doing quite well on my journey as an advocate of NDA play, but it's important that I can convincingly explain to staff and families in the various settings I work in, so having all these resources is powerful and to be honest, a relief!
Early Years Educator

Pathway Participant

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