EDITOR’S NOTE: As part of our “Ready, Set . . . Checkup!” campaign, we asked Tara Phillips of Autism Little Learners to provide tips and resources for how playing with the Melissa & Doug Super Smile Dentist Play Set can help children with autism feel more confident at their next dental visit.
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Neurodiversity-Affirming Play Strategies for Parents and Educators
Play is one of the most powerful ways children learn about the world. For autistic children, play may look different, and that’s not only okay, it’s meaningful.
With the right support, play can become a space for connection, exploration, and confidence-building. In this guide, we’ll explore how to support autistic children through play in a way that feels natural, low-pressure, and engaging.
Give these videos a watch for more on helping autistic kids prepare for doctor and dentist visits through play.
Understanding Autism
Autism is a developmental difference that affects how a person communicates, processes information, and experiences the world. Every autistic child has their own strengths, preferences, and ways of communicating.
Autistic children may communicate, play, and engage in ways that differ from what is often expected, and that is okay. All play is valid. Dr. Pamela Wolfberg defines play as an activity that is pleasurable, intrinsically motivated, flexible, non-literal, voluntary, and actively engaging. Children may:
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Communicate using words, gestures, AAC (Augmentative and Alternative Communication), or actions
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Experience the world in unique sensory ways
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Engage with toys and materials differently
Every child is unique, and there is no one “right” way to learn, play, or communicate.
Understanding Play in Autistic Children
Play for autistic children may not always look the way we expect, but it is still meaningful, purposeful, and important. Some children may:
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Repeat the same actions over and over
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Focus on specific parts of a toy
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Enjoy sensory experiences like spinning, lining up, or dumping
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Watch others play before joining in
These forms of play help children explore, learn, and make sense of the world around them.
Expanding Play in a Neuro-Affirming Way
We don’t need to change how a child plays. We can meet them where they are and gently expand it. Instead of directing or correcting play, try to:
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Follow the child’s lead
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Join in what they are already doing
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Model new ideas without pressure
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Offer invitations to explore new ways to play
For example, if a child is spinning a wheel, you might join them and then gently model rolling the toy car down a ramp. If that idea sticks, they may add it to their play. If not, you can continue modeling other options and see what feels engaging to them.
The goal isn’t “correct” play. It’s connection, engagement, and exploration.
Introducing New Toys & Play Experiences
Hands-on toys, like pretend play sets, can create meaningful opportunities for children to explore real-life experiences in a safe and supportive way. Play-based tools can help children:
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Explore everyday routines
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Build familiarity with new experiences
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Practice actions in a low-pressure way
Adding simple visual supports alongside toys can make play even more accessible and meaningful.
Using 1-Step Play Visuals
One-step play visuals break play into simple, single actions. For example, when introducing a toy like the Super Smile Dentist Play Set to your child instead of expecting a full pretend play routine, understand that a child might:
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Brush teeth
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Look in the mirror
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Open their mouth
And that is meaningful play. These visuals below from Autism Little Learners are designed to support play in a clear, simple, and accessible way:
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Provide clear entry points into play
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Reduce overwhelm
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Support children who are new to pretend play
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Remove pressure to complete multi-step sequences
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Children can engage with just one action, and that is enough.
Using Picture Vocabulary Cards
Picture vocabulary cards support understanding and communication during play.
Model Language
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Point to a card and say the word
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Talk about what the child is doing
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No need for the child to repeat or respond
The goal is to build understanding by modeling language, not to pressure the child to respond.
Support Matching & Understanding
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Match real objects to pictures
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Use cards alongside toys during play
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Help children connect objects with meaning
For example, you might point to “brush” while a child explores a toothbrush, without expecting them to say the word.
This creates a natural, low-pressure learning environment.
Using a Social Story to Prepare for the Dentist
Going to the dentist can feel unfamiliar and unpredictable for many children. A dentist social story helps children understand what to expect—from arriving at the office to sitting in the chair and having their teeth checked.
These stories use simple language and visuals to walk through the experience step-by-step, helping children feel more prepared, safe, and confident.
Why Social Stories Help
Reading a social story ahead of time can:
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Increase predictability
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Reduce anxiety
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Support emotional preparation
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Help children understand what they might see, hear, and do
How to Use a Social Story
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Read the story several times before the appointment
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Revisit it the morning of the visit
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Keep it low-pressure, no need to quiz or ask questions
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Follow the child’s interest
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Pair the story with play when possible
For example, during or after reading about brushing teeth, you might explore the actions together during play with a dentist toy.
Similar social stories can work for going to the doctor. Consider pairing a story like the one below with doctor-themed play sets and role play costumes.
Quick Tips for Supporting Play
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Follow the child’s lead
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Keep play simple and low-pressure
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Model without expecting imitation
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Use visuals to support understanding
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Focus on connection over correctness
Bringing It All Together
Play is not about doing things the “right” way. It is about creating opportunities for children to explore, connect, and learn in ways that feel meaningful to them. By combining hands-on play experiences with simple visual supports, we can help children build understanding, confidence, and comfort with everyday routines, like visiting the dentist.
Get Autism Little Learners "Ready, Set, Checkup!" Printables
Download Autism Little Learners Ready, Set, Checkup 1 Step Play Dentist Printable
Download Autism Little Learners Ready, Set, Checkup 1 Step Play Doctor Printable
Download your Autism Little Learners Ready, Set, Checkup Losing a Tooth Printable
Download your Autism Little Learners Ready, Set, Checkup Social Story Dentist Printable
Download your Autism Little Learners Ready, Set, Checkup Social Story Doctor Printable
Download your Autism Little Learners Ready, Set, Checkup Visual Art Dentist Printable
Download your Autism Little Learners Ready, Set, Checkup Visual Art Doctor Printable
Download your Autism Little Learners Ready, Set, Checkup Vocabulary Dentist Printable
Download your Autism Little Learners Ready, Set, Checkup Vocabulary Doctor Printable
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