Episode Summary In this episode, Dr Kate Renshaw (Dr Play) is joined by Meg Ellard, Senior Play Therapist and Clinical Lead at Playroom Therapy, and newly elected APPTA Board Member. Meg brings both clinical expertise and lived experience as a neurodivergent practitioner to a rich conversation about what neuro-affirming practice actually looks like — in the playroom, in schools, and at home. Together they explore what neurodiversity really means (it's broader than you might think), why rejecting the concept of neurotypicality as a standard matters, and how play is uniquely positioned to support neurodivergent children to feel safe, known, and free to be themselves. This is a conversation for play therapists, allied health practitioners, educators, and parents — and honestly, for anyone who has ever wondered whether the way we respond to difference is about the child, or about us. In this episode we cover: What neurodiversity (Judy Singer) and neurodivergent (Kassiane Asasumasu) actually mean, and where these terms come from The frameworks of Sonny Jane Moore (Lived Experience Educator) and Raelene Dundon (Play Therapist and Psychologist) and and why they matter in clinical practiceWhat neuro-affirming practice looks like before a child even walks into the playroomUndesirable to whom? Stimming, eye contact, and more. The tension between the social model and medical model of disability — and why it matters for families navigating the NDIS and school systemsWhy play is uniquely neuro-affirming by nature, and the difference between "free play" and freedom to playSupporting parents — including neurodivergent parents — to find their own way into play with their childMeg's own neurodivergent journey and why she chose to bring her whole self to her professional practiceResources mentioned: Raelene Dundon — neuro-affirming practice framework: raelenedundon.com Sonny Jane Moore, the Lived Experience Educator: livedexperienceeducator.com Playroom Therapy (Melbourne): playroomtherapy.com.au Meg Ellard — Wattle Play Therapy: wattleplaytherapy.com Meg Ellard on LinkedIn: search Meg Ellard, Playroom Therapy About Meg Ellard Meg Ellard is a Senior Play Therapist and Clinical Lead at Playroom Therapy in Melbourne, and a newly elected APPTA Board Member. A neurodivergent practitioner with a background in early childhood education, Meg brings lived experience and clinical depth to her work with neurodivergent children, families, and educators. Her research has been published in the British Journal of Play Therapy (2021) and in the Routledge volume Nature-Based Play and Expressive Therapies (2022). About Dr Kate Renshaw (Dr Play) Dr Kate Renshaw (PhD, RPT-S™) is a play therapist, researcher, educator, author, and advocate with over 20 years of experience working therapeutically with children and families. She is the developer of TORA and the Multi-Tiered Play Therapy (MTPT) Framework, and Founding Director of Play & Filial Therapy. Based in Ballarat, Victoria, on Wadawurrung Country. 🌐 drplay.com.au 💼 linkedin.com/in/drkaterenshaw Enjoyed this episode? Subscribe to the Dr Play podcast and leave a review — it helps more people find the show. You can also follow along on Substack for articles, reflections, and resources between episodes.
