Play to Learn
Poipoia te kākano, kia puawai
Nurture the seed, and it will blossom
Play to Learn
Play to Learn is designed to support the social communication of autistic children. It consists of a range of evidence-informed support strategies based on the principles of Naturalistic Developmental Behaviour Interventions. This programme uses naturally occurring activities (e.g., care routines) and relationships with whānau (e.g., parent-child play interactions) to facilitate opportunities for autistic children to learn new skills and behaviours related to social communication.
Play to Learn is part of the wider Waiora Tamariki research programme and cost-free nationwide clinical service. Waiora Tamariki is designed to promote the health and wellbeing of autistic children and their whānau by offering support options for child sleep, eating/feeding, and toilet training difficulties, as well as caregiver mental health.
Based out of the Pukemanu Centre at the University of Canterbury, the team have many years of experience in the assessment and treatment of such difficulties, meaning our families benefit from the latest evidence-based approaches.
To make a referral or to self-refer, go to our referrals page.
- Evidence-based methods
- Cost-free clinical service
- Nationwide programme delivery
Our Team
The Waiora Tamariki Programme is delivered by a team of researchers, clinicians, and post-graduate students at the University of Canterbury.
Laurie McLay
Lisa Marie Emerson
Aaron Hapuku
Hannah Waddington
Jolene Hunter
Jenna van Deurs
Get In Touch
You can get in touch with the Waiora Tamariki team via the form below.
If you’d like to make a referral, please use our referral form.