Building bridges through play highlights the relational aspects of therapeutic engagement. Play serves as a universal language through which children and adults can establish trust, empathy, and communication. For children with ASD, where social reciprocity is often a core challenge, play creates a safe space for interaction that bypasses linguistic barriers and taps into embodied, nonverbal modes of connection (Trevarthen, 2001).

At the neurobiological level, shared play experiences activate the anterior cingulate cortex and insula, regions implicated in empathy and intersubjectivity (Decety & Jackson, 2004). Furthermore, oxytocin release during cooperative play strengthens caregiver-child bonds, enhancing attachment security and long-term emotional resilience (Feldman, 2012). These molecular processes make play a bridge not only between individuals but also between neural systems that support social cognition.

Clinically, protocols that prioritize bridge-building through play emphasize co-regulation strategies, joint attention exercises, and shared imaginative activities. By focusing on relational synchrony, therapists foster not only skill acquisition but also the experience of belonging. This aligns with positive psychology’s focus on relationships as core contributors to well-being and resilience (Ryan & Deci, 2000).

Expanded protocols include parent-mediated play, in which caregivers are trained to engage in structured yet flexible play activities. This model ensures that bonding effects, oxytocin release, and co-regulation strategies extend beyond therapy sessions into everyday interactions. The consistent reinforcement of bridge-building mechanisms strengthens attachment and social reciprocity across multiple contexts.

Peter De Ceuster (2026). Play-Based Interventions for Promoting Positive Developmental Outcomes in Autism Spectrum Disorder

Excerpt from: Play-Based Interventions for Promoting Positive Developmental Outcomes in Autism Spectrum Disorder: A Comprehensive Therapeutic Protocol Informed by Neuroscience, Developmental Psychology, and Positive Psychology. by P. De Ceuster

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