Born to PLAY: 5 Lessons from Play Science for Supporting Children with Autism
Presented by Dr. Rick Solomon | November 18, 2026 7PM - 9PM EST
2 HOURS | LIVE ONLINE via ZOOM | INTERACTIVE
Camera and Audio REQUIRED
There is no free access option ($29 to join)
This workshop explores the science and therapeutic power of playfulness in pediatric and early childhood practice. Developmental and behavioral pediatrician “Dr. Rick” Solomon reviews research demonstrating that play is biologically hard-wired, drawing on the work of Jaak Panksepp, PhD, and others. He also examines threats to play—including what he calls “Play Deficit Disorder”—and the potential consequences of reduced play, such as rising anxiety, depression, and other mental health challenges.
Through engaging video case studies, Dr. Rick presents five practical lessons from play science and demonstrates how play-based interventions can support children with autism and other developmental delays. Using five core characteristics of play, the presentation provides examples and practical strategies for professionals and parents to incorporate play into therapeutic and developmental settings. With humor, audience participation, and plenty of playful interaction, Dr. Rick emphasizes a serious message: play is essential to healthy child development, and we need to ‘take play seriously’.
Teachers, therapists, social workers, and other early childhood professionals working with young children will benefit from this webinar.
Objectives
1. List at least three research-based findings that demonstrate the biological and developmental importance of play.
2. Identify the five core characteristics of play presented in the webinar and describe how each supports child development.
3. Name at least three factors that can reduce opportunities for play and identify two potential developmental or emotional consequences.
4. Describe five lessons from play science.
How to Obtain Your CE Certificate/Credits:
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You MUST attend the workshop from start to finish
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You MUST submit the evaluation form after the workshop (will be sent via email.
You will receive your certificate/credits within 48 hours after fulfilling the above requirements via email.
This Workshop Offers The Following CE Certificate/Credits
You will select your Certificate or Credit Type after you pay the registration fee. After that, you'll be redirected to a form where you’ll be prompted to choose the Certificate/Credit Type you wish to receive.
2.0 CTLE CONTACT HOURS
New York State Education Department, Continuing Teacher and Leader Education (CTLE)
Provider Code #23394
Approval Period: 3/29/22 - 3/29/2027
Young Child Learning is recognized by the New York State Education Department's Office of Teaching Initiatives as an approved sponsor of CTLE for Professional Classroom Teachers, School Leaders and Level III Teaching Assistants.
2.0 NYSED SW CONTACT HOURS
New York State Education Department’s State Board for Social Work (NYSED SW)
Provider Code #0365
Approval Period: 8/31/25 - 8/31/28
Young Child Learning is recognized by the New York State Education Department’s State Board for Social Work as an approved provider of continuing education for licensed social workers. Young Child Learning maintains responsibility for the program. Social work professionals should contact their regulatory board to confirm course approval for continuing education credits.
2.0 ASWB CE CREDITS (BEGINNER LEVEL)
Association of Social Work Boards
(ASWB)
Provider Code #1366
Approval Period: 3/30/25-3/30/28
Young Child Learning, #1366, is approved as an ACE provider to offer social work continuing education by the Association of Social Work Boards (ASWB) Approved Continuing Education (ACE) program. Regulatory boards are the final authority on courses accepted for continuing education credit. ACE provider approval period: 3/30/22-3/30/25. Social workers completing this course receive 1.0 General continuing education credits.
Cancellation Policy
If you cancel within 30 days before the event, the registration fee is not refundable. However, you will receive a credit for the registration fee which can be applied to another Young Child Learning event within the following 12 months. The processing fee is non-refundable.
Speaker's Biography
Over the last 25 years, Richard Solomon M.D. served as the Medical Director of The Ann Arbor Center for Developmental and Behavioral Pediatrics. Dr. Rick, the ‘fun doctor’, is a nationally and internationally recognized expert and speaker in the field of autism science and intervention. He is the founder of The PLAY Project (www.playproject.org), an evidence-based, parent implemented autism intervention model that trains parents and professionals using a developmental, relationship-based, and playful approach. His books, Autism: The Potential Within and The PLAY Project Parent Guide, describe his clinical approach to helping young autistic children. Dr. Solomon has dozens of publications in scientific journals and his career includes fellowships and faculty positions in pediatrics, editorial peer reviewer for pediatric journals, and numerous volunteer positions with nonprofit boards and state appointed committees. He is married, has two adult children, and four grandchildren.
Host's Biography
Dr. Scott Mesh is the Director of Young Child Learning and the CEO and Co-Founder of Los Niños Services which serves 2,000 young children with special needs each year through homecare and center services. He is a Clinical Psychologist with over 25 years of experience working with young children and their families and is an expert on assessing young children for developmental disabilities and autism. He has helped thousands of parents over the years make the transition to gaining help for their children through early childhood special education services. He is a leader in early childhood development and working effectively with parents.
System Requirements
You can access this webinar from various devices and platforms, on both PC and Mac desktops/laptops, as well as Android and iOS mobile devices. Our system requirements for these follow below.
Minimum system requirements
- Browser: The latest Chrome, Firefox, Safari, Edge, or Opera for desktop/laptop
- A broadband connection with a minimum speed of 5 Mbps
PC specific requirements
- Platform: Windows 8.1 or higher with the latest updates installed
- RAM: 4GB or more
- Video: Graphics output capability
- Sound: Sound output capability
Mac specific requirement
- Platform: Mac OS X 10.12 or higher with the latest updates installed
- RAM: 4GB or more
- Video: Graphics output capability
- Sound: Sound output capability
Mobile specific requirements
- iOS 15.0 and above
- Android 7.0 and above
Grievance Policy & Procedure
Young Child Learning will comply with all legal and ethical responsibilities to be non-discriminatory in promotional activities, program content and in the treatment of program participants.
The monitoring and assessment of compliance with these standards will be the responsibility of Young Child Learning. All grievances must be submitted in writing (via e-mail or mail) within 7 days after purchase of the webinar. Any supporting documents must be included with the submitted complaint.
For all grievances, contact information (name, phone number, and email) must be provided in the case that the Young Child Learning team may need clarification.
Submit complaints in writing to Young Child Learning, 505 8th Avenue, Floor 12A Room 02, New York, NY 10018 or via email at [email protected].
Special Accommodations or Requests
Individuals in need of special accommodations should contact the Admin, Cari Laroza at (212) 787-9700 ext. 3330 to make a request. Include name, contact info, webinar details, and accommodation needs. Our team will review requests and respond within 7-12 business days. Confidentiality is maintained. Compliance with ADA is assured.
Requests for special accommodations must be made prior to purchasing the webinar.
