Jogo Behaviour Support Conference 2025 Brochure - Flipbook - Page 17
Ruth is a Play & Filial Therapist with 20 years post-qualifying experience and over 30
years9 experience working with children, young people and families. She currently
works in the Child & Family Trauma Team at Beacon House Therapeutic Services.
Ruth is also Clinical Lead and Director of Held in Mind CIC which is a systemic
schools-based therapy service providing support for children and the adults around
them. Ruth9s professional experience includes working in residential care homes for
children and young people, delivering youth and community projects, providing
emotional and behavioural support in schools, delivering therapeutic services in
schools and providing clinical leadership for therapy teams in schools. She also has
over 14 years9 experience working in specialist CAMHS teams which has included
being part of the leadership team. Ruth has also provided clinical supervision for
therapists and other practitioners for over 11 years and has delivered therapeutic
trainings in various settings, such as CAMHS, Local Authorities and Universities.
Ruth is a member of BAPT and registered as an 8anti-discriminatory aware9 therapist.
Workshop B
Wiggles, Whispers and Wonder: Holding Space for
Playful, Powerful Connection.
Presented by: Mathew Walk-Ley
Workshop Synopsis:
Get ready to play, explore and connect! This lively, hands-on, interactive workshop
invites play therapists to explore the world of neurodivergent play and discover how to
create a safe and welcoming space for children with autism, ADHD, and sensory
processing differences. Through hands-on activities and creative, real-life strategies,
participants will explore how to adapt play therapy techniques to support
communication, sensory needs, and emotional expression. We9ll get playful with
alternative communication, experiment with sensory-friendly setups, and discover how
to tune into each child's unique play style. Expect to get stuck into engaging activities
and swap ideas as we explore how to balance structure with flexibility. Come ready to
learn, laugh, connect, and leave with a toolbox full of practical tips and playful tricks to
celebrate neurodiversity and strengthen the connection in the playroom!
Key Learning Objectives:
• To empower participants to explore and implement diverse, non-verbal
communication methods that affirm neurodivergent children's autonomy,
rejecting the ableist assumption that spoken language is the only valid form of
expression. Participants will learn to co-create communication strategies using
AAC (Augmentative and Alternative Communication), visual supports, etc,
ensuring that neurodivergent children are seen and heard in their own terms.
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