In this episode, I answer a question from a therapist in Hong Kong about how to help parents talk to their children about an autism diagnosis. When a child begins noticing that they receive extra support at school or experience the world differently from their peers, should parents explain the diagnosis? And how can they do that without making the child feel that something is wrong with them? I explain why children deserve age-appropriate truth about things that directly affect their lives, and why withholding important information can damage trust in the parent-child relationship. Children are often far more perceptive than we give them credit for, and when they don't understand why they're different, they may begin blaming themselves for their struggles.
I also share practical guidance for helping parents have these conversations without overexplaining, overwhelming the child, or allowing a diagnosis to become their identity. Simple, honest explanations about how a child's brain works differently can provide the understanding they need while leaving room for questions as they arise. I also discuss why we need to be cautious about accepting every childhood diagnosis at face value, particularly ADHD, and why I believe a thorough understanding of the whole child is essential before introducing a label that may follow them for years. Ultimately, our role as CCPTs is to help parents communicate truthfully, protect their relationship with their child, and ensure that a diagnosis provides understanding rather than defining who the child is.
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New Resource for Play Therapists: The Parent Companion for Play Therapy is now available at author pricing for therapists. Created specifically to help parents better understand the child-centered play therapy process, this book is designed to support parent engagement, improve buy-in, and reduce attrition throughout the therapeutic journey. As a listener of the Play Therapy Podcast, you can order a copy for just $8 (our cost plus shipping).
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Common References:
Landreth, G.L. (2023). Play Therapy: The Art of the Relationship (4th ed.). Routledge.
Landreth, G.L., & Bratton, S.C. (2019). Child-Parent Relationship Therapy (CPRT): An Evidence-Based 10-Session Filial Therapy Model (2nd ed.). Routledge. https://doi.org/10.4324/9781315537948
Benedict, Helen. Themes in Play Therapy. Used with permission to Heartland Play Therapy Institute.