Presenter: Dr. Jamie Hughes-Lika, BCBA-D, LBA, IBA

Designed for professionals working with young autistic children, this 50-minute webinar explores how play schemas—repetitive play patterns that reflect how children explore and understand the world—can be leveraged to foster meaningful learning opportunities. Rather than viewing these behaviors as rigid or limiting, participants will learn how to reframe play schemas as valuable insights into a child’s thinking and developmental progress.Through engaging discussions and real-world examples, attendees will discover practical strategies to embed individualized learning objectives into play-based routines while respecting each child’s unique interests and motivations. The session will also cover how to adapt adult-child interactions to maximize engagement, increase social reciprocity, and support skill development in a fun and naturalistic way. By the end of the webinar, professionals will have a deeper understanding of how to assess, interpret, and build upon play schemas to create enriched learning experiences grounded in evidence-based NDBI strategies. Each attendee will receive a complimentary copy of the Play Patterns Inventory (PPI)—a valuable tool to support their practice in identifying and utilizing play schemas effectively.